ACA Accreditation is the highest standard in the camping industry. The accreditation assures parents that the camp has had a regular, independent safety audit that goes far beyond any regulations in most states.

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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.

 

​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 290 standards that cover the various aspects of camp operations in eight specific areas. Listed below are a few outlined standards that camp has to meet.

·         Site/Food Service: Fire protection, maintenance, sleeping areas, bathing/toilet facilities, food service areas and food safety practices

·         Transportation: Driver and vehicle requirements; & transportation safety.

·         Health Care: Staff and facility requirements, medication management, required health information and recordkeeping.

·         Operational Management: Safety and security regulations, staff emergency training, crisis communications, insurance, planning.

·         Human Resources: Staff qualifications, training, Staff/camper ratios, supervision and behavior management guidelines

·         Program: Program training, orientation and safety policies for general and specialized programs; including aquatics, challenge courses, off camp trips.