What is Accreditation?
ACA Accreditation means
that a camp cares enough to undergo a thorough
(up to 300 health and safety standards) review
of its operation – from
staff qualifications and training to emergency
management. American Camp Association collaborates
with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics,
the American Red Cross, and other youth service
agencies to assure that current practices at
camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based
standards in camp operation. Camps and
ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and
fun in an environment committed to safety.
What is 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.
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Does ACA accreditation require a criminal background
check?
ACA accreditation standards require a staff screening
system which may include criminal background
checks where permitted by law. When talking
to a camp director, ask what the screening process
for that camp includes.
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How can parents be sure their child will
be safe at camp?
Nothing substitutes for the vigilance and care
of parents in determining a safe situation for
their children. While no institution--schools,
churches, youth programs, camps, or families--can
absolutely guarantee a child's safety,
parents should take an active role in determining
that camps are fully committed to providing a
summer of fun and growth in well supervised and
nurturing camp environments.
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What questions should parents ask to help
them find the right camp for their child?
Talking to a camp director will give you a good
idea about the camp's philosophy. It
is also an opportunity to ask the director some
questions including:
| What training do counselors
receive? |
| What is the counselor-to-camper
ratio? |
| What are desired qualities
in camp staff? |
| How are behavioral and
disciplinary problems handled? |
| How does the camp handle
homesickness and other adjustment issues? |
| Is the camp accredited
by the American Camp Association? Why? Why
not? |
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Crisis Communications
Following a death/accident/abuse allegation,
media questions are often pointed and difficult
to field. Listed below are some of the
common questions and general responses that can
be tailored to address individual situations.
As always, utilize proven key messages and the
resources available within ACA for help.
Is the camp accredited?
Yes (or no) Camp ___ is (or is not) an ACA-accredited
camp. You can find the current listing
of ACA accredited camps on ACA's Web
site at www.ACAcamps.org.
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Will you (ACA) investigate?
We are an educational organization. State
authorities have not granted us authority to
investigate, gather testimony, secure confidential
reports, or subpoena confidential records. We
rely on officials with such authority to conduct
investigations. ACA is always deeply saddened
when we learn of any tragedy or allegation of
wrongdoing that affects the life of a child.
We are committed to finding new ways to educate
camp staff on best practices, safety, standards,
and risk management within the camp community.
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Will you (ACA) remove accreditation?
Accreditation is normally granted or removed
based on results of a full accreditation visit
and verified compliance with accreditation
criteria. This includes compliance with
up to 300 health and safety standards covering
health, safety, and program issues. When
those authorized under state law to conduct
investigations have completed their work, a
re-accreditation visit may or may not be warranted.
Accreditation is not automatically removed from
a camp based on an accident or injury. No accreditation
process, no licensing program, no set of regulations
or laws can guarantee safety. However,
accreditation can be withdrawn from a camp if
ACA is notified by appropriate authorities that
laws which significantly affect the health and
safety of campers or staff have been violated.
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Was accreditation ever removed from this/a
camp?
Official records of a camp's accreditation
history are maintained at our national office.
We do not maintain that record in the local ACA
section. You may contact the standards
department at the national office.
Camps can lose accreditation for other reasons,
such as for non-payment of fees or for failure
to get an accreditation visit in the required
cycle. So, that information alone may not
be helpful.
ACA has, however, removed accreditation from
camps for significant health and safety violations. Therefore,
though not a guarantee, current ACA accreditation
is still the best evidence of a camp's
commitment to providing a safe and nurturing
environment for children.
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Are there complaints against this/a camp?
ACA has a process for complaint resolution on
issues about camps. This process focuses
on finding resolution. The details of
complaints are not available as a public record. However,
violations of ACA's Code of Ethics may
result in penalties for the camp, including
removal of accreditation. View
Complaint Resolution Process Manual.
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What is your standard for ____?
A brief summary of all the requirements of ACA
standards can be found on ACA's Web site. Answers
to some of the frequently asked questions about
standards can be found at http://www.acacamps.org/parents/accreditation/parentfaq.htm
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Should this have happened?
All institutions in our world – churches,
schools, youth programs, camps, families – recognize
that no one has an impenetrable safety net from
the ills of society or from harm. ACA
training and guidelines are designed to educate
camps to take all reasonable precautions to provide
an environment that makes safety for children
the top priority.
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Has this happened before? How
common are drownings in camps? Abuse, fires,
etc?
Because "camp" is defined by society
very broadly, we do not have specific data on
crisis situations in the industry at large. Within
ACA, we hear of few such incidents each year.
But any tragedy that affects the life of a child
is a concern for those of us devoted to the well-being
of children through safe and positive camp experiences.
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Are background checks required
for staff in camps? What about for international
staff?
Criminal background checks are just one piece
of ACA's comprehensive approach to evaluating
the background of applicants and their acceptability
to work with youth. Our standards also
require reference checks, personal interviews,
and work history reviews. The screening
requirements, along with strong training and
supervision guidelines, combine to provide a
comprehensive approach to child protection.
The screening and training requirements for
international staff are no different than those
for U.S. staff. International
placement agencies, familiar with the resources
and agencies in the countries from which international
staff come, help with the initial application
and screening steps.
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