Latest ACA Blog Posts
April 5, 2011
Below is the link to the reviewed/revised/reformatted standards for what, in the current Accreditation Process Guide, are the Operational Management Standards (OM).
What’s Different?
- Re-organization of standards into general topic areas (ex: all standards that deal with “Risk Management and Prevention” are together).
- OM-2 Firearms Control: In order to eliminate a potential double jeopardy, we are only asking about the locking of firearms in this standard and not also in PD. The language previously used in the PD standard is being used in OM-2.
- OM-9 Insurance Coverage: Changed terms “Fire and extended risk” to “Property coverage on buildings” per the recommendation of the insurance industry. Added “Business Personal Property” (covers furniture, merchandise, etc. used/owned by the business even if the building is not owned).
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March 30, 2011
Day camps became an accredited camp option for families 55 years ago. ACA had developed standards for resident camps in 1948. It was decided that a closer look at day camps was necessary. From 1950-54, the National and Section Standards Committees formulated Day Camp Standards for use and study. The Day Camp Standards were officially adopted by the Council of Delegates at the 1956 National Convention in Detroit, Michigan.
March 29, 2011
Below is the link to the reviewed/revised/reformatted standards for what, in the current Accreditation Process Guide, are the Site Food Service Standards (SF).
What’s Different?
Re-organization of standards into general topic areas (ex: all standards that deal with “Procedures” are together).
All of the guidelines for applicability to site-related standards are at the beginning, all of the guidelines for food service applicability are immediately before food service standards.
What’s Gone?
- SF-7 Maintenance Program (now included in what is currently numbered SF-7, Facilities in Good Repair)
- SF-9 Playgrounds: Deleted
- SF-10 Clean Camp Site (now included in what is currently numbered standard SF-7, Facilities in Good Repair)
- SF-14 Carbon Monoxide Detectors (now included in what is currently numbered standard SF-11, Smoke and Carbon...
March 23, 2011
In 2011, ACA and partner New Dimensions offer all members of the camp community a chance to celebrate 150 years of camp in style — with hats, t-shirts, tote bags, and posters. The commemorative images used on the products were designed by Bruce Dean, the same artist who designed ACA’s updated logo in 2005, and feature stylized reproductions of actual photos submitted by camps! Representing an artistic rendition of the progression of camp from the past (1910s, 1930s, and 1950s) to the present day, the merchandise is available for purchase online, and items can be customized with specific camp names.
March 22, 2011
Below is the link to the reviewed/revised/reformatted standards for what, in the current Accreditation Process Guide, are the Transportation Standards (TR).
What’s different?
- Re-organization of standards into general topic areas (ex: all standards that deal with “Procedures” are together).
- All of the guidelines for APPLICABILITY are now located in the very beginning of the section and not scattered throughout.
What’s Gone?
- TR-2: Traffic Control.
- TR-3: Arrival and Departure (now covered in what is currently numbered TR-4).
- From “old” TR-6, the requirement about availability and location of health information. This will be covered in the HW Section as well as in the PD Section.
- TR-8: Bus/van supervisor (now covered in what is currently numbered TR-5).
- TR-18 (now included in...
March 21, 2011
ACA’s CEO Peg Smith was featured on Lifetime Television’s morning program, The Balancing Ac, on March 11, 2011. This segment consisted of a conversation about the benefits of camp, choosing a camp, experiential education and the camp experience, and much more. Lifetime Television has 96 million subscribing households nationwide!
March 16, 2011
In 2007, ACA cemented its commitment to environmental stewardship and developed the Green Spoken Here initiative, offering online resources, including the "Green Spoken Here" pledge for camp and youth development staff, as well as parents and families, to encourage outdoor activity and environmental awareness.
March 15, 2011
Below are the reviewed/revised/reformatted standards for what, in the current Accreditation Process Guide, are the PD, PC, and PH Standards. In an effort to reduce redundancy, these three program sections have been "collapsed." The Program Aquatic and Program Trip/Travel standards will continue to "stand alone."
What’s different?
- Re-organization of standards into general topic areas (ex: all standards that deal with protective equipment are together).
- A fourth bullet was added to the definition of specialized program activities.
- Specialized program activities now include challenge/adventure and horseback riding. There are still some standards specific to these program areas.
- The standard specific to operating procedures has been removed and those topics are now covered in other standards — specific to the topic.
What’s...
March 9, 2011
In January 1930, the name of the Camp Directors Association (CDA) magazine was changed from Camping to The Camping Magazine. The Camping Magazine was the official publication of the CDA, under the authorization of the National Board of Directors. Its purpose was to inform and educate camp professionals and others in related fields so they can successfully serve their clientele. In 1946 the name was shortened to Camping Magazine. The magazine is still published by ACA, and serves as the resource for camp and youth development professionals, with articles on topics such as public policy, research, trends, and best practices.
The special May/June Staff Training issue features the foremost camp trainers and consultants for staff orientation. The 2011 Staff Training issue includes articles from Bob Ditter, Stephen Wallace, Jon...
March 3, 2011
Check out our premier issue of the Counselor Now newsletter, designed for you, the frontline camp staff. This newsletter offers job-specific resources for everything you'll need this summer — from Camping Magazine articles and training advice to job opportunities, Counselor Now will help you be at your best.
"Tips for Camp Counselors: Sage Advice from a Veteran Camp Director" offers the advice you need to nurture your campers' development and guide positive behavior. "...
March 2, 2011
Check out ACA's Camp Counselors Facebook Page built for you, frontline staff at summer camps! Check back here for advice and tips, fun activity ideas, job opportunities, and much more. Use this page along with our other resources like this blog and the Counselor Now monthly email for finding the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of your campers and have a great summer at camp!
March 2, 2011
On March 4, 1983, the first meeting of members of The Acorn Society was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Society was created as a fellowship of individuals who believed in the purpose of organized camping and wanted to ensure that camping continues as a growing, educational opportunity. Each year, the Foundation board hosts an Acorn Society celebration dinner to honor those individuals who have made provisions for bequests to ACA in estate planning through wills, insurance policies, unitrusts, or other avenues.
February 28, 2011
Welcome to ACA's new blog for you, the counselor! Check back here for counseling advice and tips, fun activity ideas, job opportunities, and much more. This counselor blog will give you the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of your campers and have a great summer at camp!
February 23, 2011
In 1935, during Herbert H. Twining's presidency, the name of the association was changed from Camp Directors Association of America to the American Camping Association, Incorporated. This name would not be changed again until 2004.
February 16, 2011
In the 1930s, the National Park Service developed Recreation Demonstration Areas as part of the Federal Government's work relief programs — thirty-four of which were organized camp facilities made available for lease by camp groups that did not own camp grounds. These sites were later turned over to state agencies, particularly state parks.
