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Key messages relating to
a deadly car accident involving campers
and staff.
Key Message #1
Camp XXX is deeply saddened by any tragedy
that affects our camp family. We offer its
deepest condolences to the family members.
Key Message #2
The accident is under investigation, and
at this time, we are concerned about the
health and well being of our campers and
staff. We have also been in touch with the
families affected by this tragedy.
Key Message #3
The safety of individuals at camp is our
number one priority.
Key Message #4 (ACA message)
Nearly 11 million children and adults
attend the over 2,400 ACA-accredited
camps nationwide. ACA is the only national
association that accredits all types
of camps, based on up to 300 national
standards for health and safety. The
American Camp Association has nearly
a century of experience as a national
community of camp professionals, dedicated
to enriching the lives of children and
adults through the camp experience.
| ACA accreditation
indicates that a camp has voluntarily
allowed its practices to be compared
with standards established by professionals
in the camp industry. |
| American Camp Association
standards are recognized by courts of
law and government regulators as the
standards of the camp industry. |
Key messages relating
to a boating accident (ACA messages)
Key Message #1
The American Camp Association is deeply
saddened when we learn of any injury that
occurs at camp.
Key Message #2
The American Camp Association has developed
professional standards to be followed by
ACA-accredited camps. Safety is at the core
of ACA’s accreditation system, and
safety of campers and staff is paramount
within ACA-accredited camps. Aquatic activities
at camp require certified, trained staff
in appropriate ratios, skill testing, safety
systems, rescue equipment, rehearsed emergency
procedures, and other guidelines to reinforce
risk management and safety during water
sports.
Staff training
| ACA standards recommend
that camps implement a system to provide
each camp staff member, prior to assuming
job responsibilities, training that
is specific to his or her individual
job functions, including clear expectations
for acceptable job performance. |
| All boating activities
in day and resident camps must have
an appropriately certified person on
duty with rescue skills appropriate
to the activity and the aquatic location. |
| Camps should supply
written evidence that all operators
and drivers are provided training prior
to use of motor boats. |
Key Message #3
XXX Camp is an ACA-accredited camp and has
voluntarily undergone a rigorous risk management
process to prevent illness or injury to
campers and is required by ACA standards
to have written emergency procedures in
effect for crisis situations. XXX Camp offered
immediate response time when administering
first aid. XXX Camp had an attending physician
address all campers about the incident,
debrief them, and determine whether further
consultation was needed.
Key messages regarding
an allegation of child abuse by male counselor
at Camp XXXX. The alleged victim is an
11-year-old boy.
Key Message #1
Camp XXXX is committed to collaborative
efforts that can reduce the abuse of children.
As an ACA-accredited camp, we work with
licensing boards, regulatory bodies, and
developers of camp standards to continue
to seek ways to promote safety.
Key Message #2
As an ACA-accredited camp, we acknowledge
that no state licensing program and no set
of regulations or laws can guarantee an
accident-free environment; thus, we work
with our national organization to compliment
such programs with sound risk management
training and ongoing program assessment
and improvement.
| Staff screening standards
include the use of application forms,
reference checks, personal interviews,
work history reviews, and background
checks. |
| Staff training standards
include educating camp staff regarding
child abuse prevention, behavior management
techniques, procedures for nighttime
supervision, safety regulations, and
emergency procedures. |
| Staff and camper
supervision standards recommend observation
of all staff while on duty, training
for supervisors, and specific performance
guidelines. |
Key Message #3
The cumulative effect of ACA's child protection
standards are more reliable and practical
than the varied state-to-state criminal
background checks, which are only one facet
of a comprehensive staff screening process.
This more comprehensive approach to screening
is recommended by the Nonprofit Risk Management
Center and the report of the American Bar
Association's Center on Children and the
Law.
Key Messages regarding
the death of a camper
Key Message #1
Camp XXXX is deeply saddened when we learn
of any tragedy that affects the life of
a child. We extend our deepest regret and
concern for the family members.
Key Message #2
Camp XXXX is an ACA-accredited camp and
has voluntarily undergone a rigorous risk
management process and is required by ACA
standards to have written emergency procedures
in effect for crisis situations. [leave
out if camp is not accredited]
| We are continuing
to cooperate with authorities pertaining
to this matter. |
| We do not have all
the details at this time since authorities
are still in the midst of investigating
the situation. |
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