Hale Reservation's Executive Director Receives Highest Recognition Award from ACA New England

The American Camp Association, New England (ACA New England) is pleased to announce that, Eric Arnold, Executive Director of Hale Reservation, has received the 2014 Distinguished Service Award.  The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor given out by ACA New England and is awarded to an individual who has given outstanding leadership and service to ACA New England for at least 10 years. 

For the past 13 years, Arnold has overseen Hale Reservation located in Westwood, MA (with some trails in Dover, MA). Situated on 1,137 acres of trails, ponds and conservation land, Hale is home to the ACA-Accredited Hale Day Camp, a family membership beach, a universal ropes course and extensive education and adventure programs which are offered year round.Hale Day Camp draws thousands of campers each summer with half of them receiving financial aid, many of whom are inner-city, experiencing the joys of summer camp for the very first time. The camp is one of the largest of its kind, and has a strong focus on providing kids with a memorable summer experience while also working to stem the summer slide seen so often with these children.

In addition, Arnold’sACA New England involvement and service has been extensive. He has served on the organization’s Day Camp Committee, then as chair of the Public Awareness Committee, and went on to become Vice President and President of the Board, also serving on various strategic planning committees. Even after leaving the Board, Arnold has continued to actively volunteer and extending his leadership to a national level, serving on the Board of ACA National and as a New England representative to the National Council of Leaders.

“Eric thinks deeply about the values behind the camp experience and is committed to quality at all levels of camping” said Nat Saltonstall, Immediate Past President, ACA New England, at the presentation ceremony. “He is a visionary in many ways, ahead of his time, committed to outreach and the role camp can play in breaking long cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.”

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by such a great organization,” Arnold said. “Working with ACA New England towards a common goal of enhancing the lives of children and families through quality camp experiences has been a fundamental part of my experience. I look forward to a continued partnership with ACA New England and commitment to bringing the benefits of summer camp to more and more children each year.”