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ACA accreditation is the best evidence
parents have of a camp's commitment to a
safe and nurturing environment for their
children. Accreditation assures parents
that camp practices have been measured against
national standards and go a step beyond
a state's basic licensing requirements.
Because accreditation is voluntary,
parents know the camp is committed to best
practices. Currently, only 25-30 percent
of an estimated 10,000 day and resident camps
seek accreditation. Accreditation is an
educational process-providing training,
guidelines, programs, and publications for
camp directors and staff.
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
up to 300 standards. Accreditation standards
cover all aspects of camp operation:
- Site/Food Service: Fire protection,
maintenance, sleeping areas, bathing/toilet
facilities, food service areas and practices
- Transportation: Driver and vehicle requirements,
traffic control, transportation safety
- Health Care: Staff and facility requirements,
medication management, required health
information and record keeping
- Management: Safety and security regulations,
staff emergency training, crisis communications,
insurance, planning
- Staffing: Staff qualifications, training,
ratios, supervision and behavior management
guidelines
- Program: Goals for camper development,
orientation and safety policies for general
and specialized programs, including aquatics,
challenge courses, trips, and horseback
riding
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Information for Camp Directors
Standards Orientation: Camps which are applying for accreditation for the first time or those being revisited are required to have a representative attend a 6-hour Basic Standards Course. This should be the Director or other person involved in the camp administration and who will be on-site during the time of the summer visit.
There are many resources available to help camps prepare for a visit, including the Resource CD contained in the Accreditation Process Guide and the ACA national website:
http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/hyes.php
For camps first pursuing accreditation, this link will also be helpful: http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/hnovisit.php
Questions? Contact ACA Virginias Standards Co-Chairs:
John Edwards, wvcampdirector@hughes.net 804-457-4210
Rev. Roy Quist, deerg8@oregoncoast.com 540-636-6737
Associate Visitor Training
Any ACA member who wishes to volunteer to become an ACA Standards Visitor may attend Associate Visitor Training. Requirements include:
- Minimum age 21
- Willingness to participate in at least 1 standards visit each year including a Written Documentation Preview and the camp visit (2 days total)
- Attendance at Standards Course (one day) and Associate Visitor Course (2 days)
- Current ACA membership
- Attendance at Visitor update as regularly announced
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