Summer camps are meant to be fun and so much more! After all, it’s in these camps that kids develop a sense of independence and individuality, master some of life’s most important skills and forge lasting friendships. Hence, it’s doubly important to check if a summer camp is American Camp Association accredited.
Having accredited by ACA implies that a camp has undergone a through review of its operating standards — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management and lot more.
Camp Navigator team had learned that American Camp Association works jointly with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other agencies to ensure that your child’s camp is most up-to-date, fun and safe. The long and short of it is that it sets the standard for good summer camps.
ACA ensures that all camps provide:
- Healthy, formative and appropriate activities and learning experiences
- Provide experiential education
- Caring, competent counselors
- Service to the community
- Scope for leadership and personal growth
How do the camps licensed by the state and accredited by ACA differ from each other?
Accreditation is voluntary, meaning it’s up to the camp to go for ACA accreditation or not. That said, being accredited by ACA provides assurance that a camp is safe for kids and offers the best kind of nurturing environment for kids. State licensing, on the other hand, is mandatory (for states which require it). ACA standards are conceded by courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp community.
How are ACA standards better than state licensing requirements?
ACA looks beyond basic requirements for health, cleanliness, and food service. Rather, it delves deeper into specific areas of programming like camp staff, director and counselors, emergency management plans, health care, and management. ACA also has separate standards for adventure activities like waterfront, horseback riding, travel, etc.
What are the ACA standards that camps bet on?
Staff to camper ratios for different age groups
Goals for camp activities should be based according to the development of a child
Emergency transportation should be available always
First-aid facilities and trained staff for campers
Does ACA accreditation make criminal background checks mandatory?
ACA accreditation standards recommends a staff screening system which also includes criminal background checks permitted by law. When talking to a camp director, ask what screening process the camp includes.
How do I know that my child’s camp is ACA accredited?
Parents can verify the accreditation status of any camp by visiting ACA’s website at www.ACAcamps.org or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP.
If your child’s camp isn’t ACA-accredited, ask why not? Know that informed parents are best prepared to pick a camp that meets their standards for staff, programs, safety, and facilities.
