American Camp Association - American Camp Associations Accreditation Process Guide

2012 American Camping Association, Inc. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or the American Camp Association.

This book was previously published as Accreditation Standards for Camp Programs and Services, Camp Standards with Interpretations for the Accreditation of Organized Camps, and Standards for Day and Resident Camps.

ISBN: 978-1-60679-186-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011936853

Book layout: Roger W. Rybkowski

Cover design: Roger W. Rybkowski

Front cover photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Healthy Learning American Camp Association

P.O. Box 1828 5000 State Road 67 North

Monterey, CA 93942 Martinsville, IN 46151

www.healthylearning.com www.ACAcamps.org

These standards reflect the cooperative effort of many

The members of the American Camp Associationwho share idea, suggestions, and yes, complaints. But all of this provides input for improvement. Members write, call, field test, and tell us what they want and need. These standards exist for them, because of them.

The local standards volunteersvisitors, instructors, standards chairs, and committee members whose incredible efforts accomplish close to 1,000 visits annually, usually when they are the busiest, for they too are camp directors and camp staff!

The National Standards Commissiona small group of dedicated volunteers whose commitment to excellence in standards causes all of us to stretch professionally. A list of the most current Commission members who served during this revision includes the following individuals:

Kathy Trotter, Chair Tom Riddleberger

Nancy Garran David Sherry

Linda Katowski Ron Springs

Bev McEntarfer Stan White

The staff of the American Camp Associationand not just the staff of the standards and accreditation team, but staff who serve locally and the staff of the national administrative office, the whole group who share in the work, provide understanding support, and work together to accomplish what no one smaller team could accomplish alone.

National Staff:

Rhonda Mickelson, Director of Standards

Kim Brosnan, Director of Knowledge Systems

Andrea Stearley, Education

AssociateAmy Katzenberger, Chief Program Officer

Consulting Organizations:

Council on Accreditation

A special thanks to The Education and Accreditation Task Force commissioned by the ACA National Board as well as Peg Smith, chief executive officer, American Camp Association, for her encouragement and leadership in the accreditation and revision process.

To all of the aforementioned individuals and organizations, we give our thanks. RLM

The purpose of these standards is to educate camp directors and camp personnel regarding practices and procedures followed generally within the camp industry. That purpose is furthered to the extent that the standards provide a basis for accreditation of camps by the American Camping Association, Inc. It should be recognized that each part of every standard may not be applicable to all camps. Further, it is not the intention of the American Camping Association, Inc. to attempt to include every practice or procedure that might be desirable for or implemented by a camp since conditions, facilities, and the goals or objectives of all camps are not identical or uniform.

The accreditation programs of the American Camping Association, Inc. are designed to be applied only to those camp programs that are consistent with the stated definitions and eligibility requirements of the identified designations. Programs outside of these definitions or criteria are not subject to our standards and are not considered for accreditation.

In developing and applying these standards in the accreditation process, the American Camping Association, Inc. and its s local offices do not undertake to verify the continuous adherence by those camps or directors to every applicable standards or guideline. Nor does the Association warrant, guarantee, or insure that compliance with these standards will prevent any or all injury or loss that may be caused by or associated with any persons use of facilities, equipment, or other items or activities that are the subjects of these standards; nor does the Association assume any responsibility or liability for any such injury or loss.

Further, the American Camping Association, Inc. hereby expressly disclaims any responsibility, liability, or duty to affiliated camps, directors, camp personnel, and to campers and their families, for any such liability arising out of injury or loss to any person by the failure of such camps, directors, or camp personnel to adhere to these standards.

The American Camp Association accredited camp logo is a registered trademark. Any use of the ACA signs, seals, and logos is a privilege reserved for camps that are currently accredited. Such symbolism represents to the public that a camp has met the criteria for accreditation.

It is inappropriate for camps to advertise or imply that accreditation has been applied for or earned until notification has been received from the American Camping Association, Inc., indicating that all accreditation requirements have been met and verified by an on-site visit.

Any improper use of accreditation symbols or statements should be reported to ACAs national administrative office and is subject to prosecution to the full extent of the law.

The American Camp Association

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a community of camp professionals dedicated to ensuring the high quality of camp programs; a greater public understanding of and support for the value of the camp experience; and an increase in the number of children, youth, and adults of all social, cultural, and economic groups who participate in the camp experience. Established in 1910, ACA operates as a private, nonprofit, educational organization with members in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Its members represent a diverse constituency of camp owners and directors, executives, educators, clergy, business people, consultants, camp and organization staff members, volunteers, students, retirees, and other individuals associated with the operation of camps for children and adults.