Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry, the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools, and innovative programming ideas. September/October 2010 articles address education, research, history, 2020 Toolbox, and much more.
Join more than 1,500 of your colleagues, presenters, and exhibiting personnel at the 2011 National Conference in San Diego. Fourplus packed days of quality education, social and issuesbased networking, professional trade-show access, and special events are designed to boost your professional development.
Children and youth need a community that: encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.
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Key Messages for Parents
Special Note:
When referring to your ACA-Accredited® camp
status in brochures, letters and video
tapes, please use the following copy to
describe accreditation:
Fun
And Safety — ACA Camps Set the
Standard
ACA Accreditation means that the
camp you are considering for your
child cares enough to undergo a thorough
(up to 300 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-serving agencies
to assure that current practices
at the camp reflect the most up-to-date,
research-based standards in camp
operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership
that promotes summers of growth and
fun in an environment committed to
safety.
ACA helps accredited camps provide:
Healthy, developmentally-appropriate
activities and learning experiences
Discovery through experiential
education
Caring, competent role models
Service to the community and
the environment
Opportunities for leadership
and personal growth
Use the following answers
to common questions about ACA accreditation
and define the value of accreditation to
parents . . . .
What’s 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. Licensing is mandatory
and requirements vary from state to state.
ACA standards are recognized by courts of
law and government regulators as the standards
of the camp community.
How do ACA standards
exceed state licensing requirements?
ACA goes beyond basic requirements for health,
cleanliness, and food service into specific
areas of programming, including camp staff
from director through counselors, emergency
management plans, health care, and management.
ACA applies separate standards for activities
such as waterfront, horseback riding, and
adventure and travel.
What are some of the
ACA standards that camps rely on?
Staff to camper ratios are appropriate
for different age groups
Goals for camp activities are developmentally
based
Emergency transportation available
at all times
First-aid facilities and trained staff
available when campers are present
How can I verify
that my child's camp is ACA accredited?
Parents can (and should) verify the accreditation
status of any camp at any time by visiting
ACA's Web site at www.ACAcamps.org
or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP.
If your child's
camp isn't ACA accredited, ask WHY NOT?
Keep in Mind — Informed parents are
best prepared to select a camp that meets
their standards for staff, programs, safety,
and facilities and strives to promote the
welfare of every child. Read
more . . .
Visit CampParents.org
for more specialized talking points for
marketing the value of ACA accreditation,
ACA's
outcomes research, and camp to parents.
And, link
to this family-dedicated Web site from your
camp’s Web site – keep the positive
message of the camp experience circulating!
Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry, the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools, and innovative programming ideas. September/October 2010 articles address education, research, history, 2020 Toolbox, and much more.
Join more than 1,500 of your colleagues, presenters, and exhibiting personnel at the 2011 National Conference in San Diego. Fourplus packed days of quality education, social and issuesbased networking, professional trade-show access, and special events are designed to boost your professional development.
Children and youth need a community that: encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.
