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Bothin, Camp Metro, Deer Lake, Skylark Ranch and Sugar Pine all hold a current accreditation through the American Camp Association (ACA).
What does accreditation mean?
What’s the difference between state licensing of camps and accreditation by ACA?
How do ACA standards exceed state licensing requirements?
What are some of the ACA standards that camps rely on?
Does ACA accreditation require criminal background checks?
How can I verify that my child's camp is ACA accredited?
What does accreditation mean?
The American Camp Association is the advocate for the accredited-camp experience. ACA Standards are continually revised and updated to reflect the needs of camps, the public, and the changing body of laws and regulations. The main purpose of the ACA-accreditation program is to educate camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff. The second purpose of ACA accreditation is to assist the public in selecting camps that meet industry-accepted and government-recognized standards.
Although many state and federal laws and regulations address basic sanitation and food service concerns, the ACA Standards go a step further in addressing the specific areas of programming, personnel, health care, and management practices. Separate standards are applied to activities such as aquatics, horseback riding, adventure challenge activities, and travel and trip programs.
ACA accreditation is the best evidence parents have of a camp's commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for their children. This voluntary accreditation assures parents that camp practices have been measured against national standards and go a step beyond a state's basic licensing requirements. Accreditation is based on a commitment by the camp to best practices.
ACA standards are recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp industry. The ACA accreditation program has a 50-year history and is continually evaluated and updated to reflect current best practice in camps. ACA collaborates with experts from many fields such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to be sure required practices are current and sound. ACA standards are revised based on research in the public, legal, youth development, and camp arenas.
No environment is risk free. However, ACA camps voluntarily go through a rigorous risk management process to prevent illness or injury to campers-and to have solid crisis plans if an emergency does occur. Camp provides a supervised, positive environment with controlled boundaries to help children grow.
At least once every three years, an outside team of trained professionals observe the camp in session to verify compliance with applicable standards. The ACA has developed up to 300 standards that cover the various aspects of camp operations in ten specific areas.
Few fields combine such a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, as does organized camping. Camp directors are required to have expertise in very technical fields such as nutrition, food service, facility design and maintenance, risk management, marketing, personnel and business management. Being a camp professional also necessitates the blending of the principles of social group work, recreation, child development, physical education, health and wellness, psychology, and education. Camping provides the unique opportunity to integrate these disciplines by working with people in a stimulating outdoor setting.
What’s the difference between state licensing of camps and accreditation by ACA?
Accreditation is voluntary and ACA accreditation assures families that camps have made the commitment to a safe, nurturing environment for their children. If a state requires licensing, it is mandatory; licensing requirements vary from state to state. ACA standards are recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp community.
How do ACA standards exceed state licensing requirements?
ACA goes beyond basic requirements for health, cleanliness, and food service into specific areas of programming, including camp staff from director through counselors, emergency management plans, health care, and management. ACA applies separate standards for activities such as waterfront, horseback riding, and adventure and travel.
What are some of the ACA standards that camps rely on?
Does ACA accreditation require criminal background checks?
ACA accreditation standards require a staff screening system which may include criminal background checks where permitted by law. When talking to a camp director as you consider enrolling your child, ask what the screening process for that camp includes.
How can I verify that my child's camp is ACA accredited?
Parents can (and should) verify the accreditation status of any camp at any time by visiting ACA's Web site at www.ACAcamps.org or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP.
