|
Key messages relating to a car accident
in XXXX. The camp was not an ACA-accredited
camp.
Key Message #1
Camp XXX is deeply
saddened by any tragedy that affects a
family. ACA offers its deepest condolences
to the family members.
Key Message #2
We cannot speculate on what happened; The
XXXX Camp in XXXX is not an accredited
camp.
Key Message #3
The safety of individuals at camp is all
camp professionals’ number one
priority. Over 11 million children and
adults attend camp each year, many of
them attend the over 2,400 ACA-accredited
camps nationwide. ACA is the only national
association that accredits all types
of camps, based upon 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
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
We acknowledge that no state licensing
program and no set of regulations or
laws can guarantee an accident-free environment;
thus, we strives 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 effects
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.
Top of page |
