Program Design Standards, PD

A few other observations--
Does PD-4 need a DNA or will every camp have SPECIALIZED activities?
PD-8 and others related to staff skills -- does "recent experience" need to be defined better if it substitutes for certification? How recent, how long, what type? Makes it pretty subjective.
PD-16 - "Access TO Specialized Activity Areas"
PD-27--distinguish between staff leading program activities and those working in the operation? Different for each sub-group, I think.

I do not like that the horseback riding and challenge standards are now a part of the PD standards. I believe this waters down the strength of having to get an 80% rating in each section. Just like aquatics, these two program areas are very high risk and should stand alone.

If this indeed all this is going to be all in one section, the weightings are going to have to be carefully established.

I would suggest an exception to ear protection in firearms programs when a camp uses only hand pump air pellet/bb rifles.

current wording
Contextual Education: For the sake of the standards, ―pony‖ rides are activities in which the horse or pony is led at a walk by a trained individual other than the rider, or the animal is controlled by a mechanical device that leads it at a walk. At no time is the rider expected or allowed to control the horse or pony and the rider is usually lifted on and off the animal or mounts from a mounting platform

I would like to see a change to the 2nd sentence in discription of control. The "pony ride" can be used as a teaching tool, by allowing the rider to control the reins to practice steering and stopping hence "in control"but the ground handler is still connected by lead to the halter for ultimate control. "at no time is the rider expected or allowed control.." would negate this. A possible reword could be
"at no time is the rider expected or allowed independent (or unassisted) control of the the horse..."

The current proposed wording is:

B. *Activities involving any kind of motorized vehicle?

the interpretation:
Part B: ―Motorized vehicles‖ include motorcycles, motor bikes, go-karts, ATV’s, etc.

A strict interpretation could mandate use of helmets for lawn tractors, golf carts, farm tractors, trucks and even boats.

I would suggest a change in the standard to "any kind of recreational motorized vehicle excluding watercraft"

or an similar adjustment in explaination of "motorized vehicle".

The following comments have been sent anonymously. We felt it important to share all comments. A response is included:

If a camp takes a NO in PH 10 because of not storing livestock medication properly it must also take a NO in SF 2. In order to avoid the double jeopardy just remove the words "other livestock" in PH 10. Leave PH 10 to be scored as the section states only for riding activities with horses or ponies.
RESPONSE: As more camps seem to have livestock not used for Program, we feel we need to have that standard included in the SF site. We will make a note that if a camp uses livestock/horse medication for program, to score it in the PD Section.

Also - as more and more camps have various "livestock" in their program areas (chickens, goats, llamas), that may need medication, we feel it most appropriate to move this standard OUT of the "Additional Standards for Horseback Riding" to the general Specialized Program Activity standards.

USE OF HELMETS:
This was pointed out to me at a standards course that the sentence that protective headgear for all participants including instructors has been removed. This has been left to the discretion of the camp. My question is what if I go to a camp and feel differently then the camp and they should be wearing protective head gear?
RESPONSE: It is fully intended that participants and instructors wear helmets. The sentence was inadvertently deleted.

It is disappointing to know that ACA is looking at not holding camps accountable for providing outdoor opportunities for participants. One of the ACA values is:
"The World
We believe that each of us plays
an important role in the stewardship
of our environment—both natural
and manmade. We help children grow into
committed, responsible citizens by teaching
them to appreciate, respect, and care
for the world in which they live."

The new PD-7 adresses most of this, but does not specifically require any outdoor expereince as part of the program. Environmental stewardship and the new PD-7 can be taught in many aspects of programming (even in a classroom), but "camp" is definately one place that should include actual outdoor opportunities! Many programs, due to their nature, will do this with or without the standard. But there are also "camps" that barely meet the current PD-2 standard. Removing it altogether will take away the motivation and perceived value for programs to engage campers in the outdoors. This would be a sad interpretation of ACA goals and a disappointing step given recent research in engaging kids in the outdoors and also our partnership with C&NN.

Perhaps the new PD-7 could read:
"Help campers feel comfortable in the natural environment through outdoor recreation and education opportunities!

Zayanne Thompson

I notice that you mandate helmets for all vertical climbing walls and towers and you do not make a distinction re mobile climbing walls that utilize an automatic belay system. The manufacturers of this kind of wall recommend against helmets as one person was killed because of using a helmet. I visited a camp last year that failed this standard because they were concerned about their campers' safety and their belief that the manufacturer understood best what constituted safe use of their equipment. Standards need to make allowances for specialized equipment that does not fall under generic descriptions.

Thanks for your efforts in reducing redundancies,

Marge Driscoll

Hi -
For the new standards PD-27, it would be helpful it list golf carts used in golf programs as an exclusion not needing helmets.

PD-32 B. remove "to" after the word activities.

Susie Davis

As I review the proposed changes I am reminded that with every update more stays the same than is changed. To be perfectly honest it just means more of my time will be spent rearranging the paperwork, reassigning the standard numbers and double checking the changes. The last visit we had there were new standards. Our next visit will be in 2012 and there will be new standards. Frankly I wish I had at least 2 visits with the same standards. I really believe in this accreditation process, but do feel that much busy work will be added to the preparation. This fact does frustrate me.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Muellerleile