In 1950, representatives of the respective Provincial Camping Associations gathered together to form the Canadian Camping Association. The intent was to formulate a national voice, communicate inter-provincially and meet some other specific objectives. Federated Members (Provincial Camping Associations) were and are the primary benefactors of the organization. Some provinces and territories do not have any camping association that is why there is a provision to allow some camps in those regions to join the Canadian Camp Association directly.

 The Canadian camping association is big and small at the same time. The thing is that every camp member of the association is also a member of the by virtue of their membership in the provincial association. Canadian Camping association while consisting of the 600 camps and the field of organized camping nation wide is in some ways, the 11 people meeting two times a year, a handful of other volunteers and the collaboration of the various province organizations.

In addition, there are large quantities of private and camp accessions covering many other aspects of camp history. As a federation, the Canadian camping association is not a 'top down' organization and so the Presidents' Council actually consists of a few people: a President, Past President (or President Elect), Treasurer and the PCA representatives.

The mission of the Canadian Camping association is to be a National Federation dedicated to the growth, development and promotion of organized camping for all populations in Canada.

First of all, the Canadian Camping association encourages community support and involvement.

It employs educational programs as a means of helping the camping Canada industry develop and flourish, sharing skills and knowledge with others.

Formerly the federal government substantially supported for the organization and the Canadian camping association operated with an Executive Administrator. That funding was withdrawn rather abruptly in the late 1980's and nowadays the Canadian Camping Association  as such consist of almost 600 camp members with some commercial members and sponsors.

But still, the Canadian camping association enjoys collaboration with state and federal participation. For example, the association is involved into the National Insurance Program, which has been a highly successful service to individual camps across the country. Most funding from this program is available for the Canadian camping association to advance special projects related to risk management and other topics. National Event Support providing more cross provincial sharing at professional training events for all members of Canadian camping association.

While a networking strategy, the website of Canadian camping association is also a special project for public relations and other aspects of its work.

 On the whole, the Canadian camping association is an important source to the national community of camping as it is looking for input on how it can support the work going on in the provinces or to do work that is not going on in the provinces.