In every non-visit year of the accreditation cycle, accredited camps must submit the Annual Accreditation Report (AAR) to maintain accredited status. Failure to submit the report may result in accreditation removal. Camps in a visit year do not submit an Annual Accreditation Report. Refer to the information for preparing for an on-site visit. 

How do we get started?

  • Start by watching the video Closer Look: Annual Accreditation Report for Camps.  This video will provide the foundation for submitting the AAR.
  • Ensure that the annual camp fees are current and note the renewal date.  Current fees are required to maintain accredited status, and a lapse in fees results in losing access to the AAR.  Please contact the membership department if assistance is needed for the camp renewal.  
  • Read the AAR Guide for Camps, posted in the Accreditation Portal in December.
  • Engage your team and allow 1-2 hours for completion.

Who from the camp submits the AAR?

The AAR must be completed by a camp representative actively involved with the overall camp operation. This person should have completed the current Accreditation Process Workshop, or be a current accreditation volunteer (at any level).  

Tip: Camps often use the AAR to complement their operation by incorporating the process into their annual employee performance goals, board or stakeholder reporting, or a professional development opportunity for other key staff. 

What is the AAR timeline?

  • December 1: AAR questions are posted in the Accreditation Portal. Camps may begin submitting reports.
  • February 1: Reports are due. 
  • January-March: Trained ACA volunteers review responses and provide feedback. Camps are notified by email when the review and feedback are complete. 
  • After feedback is received by the camp: camps review, evaluate, and incorporate AAR reviewer feedback as appropriate. The AAR is intended to be an educational tool. A reply to the reviewer is not required.

The AAR must be submitted to maintain accredited status. ACA will remove accreditation for failure to submit the report. 

What do I do when I receive the volunteer reviewer's feedback?

  • When you receive notification that your report's review is complete, revisit the AAR and check the reviewer's feedback. 
  • If you have questions or would like to discuss your report, contact your reviewer directly or reach out to your accreditation staff member. 
  • Do not reply to the reviewer's comments in the portal' the AAR is not set up for ongoing conversation. 
  • Save your report for future reference. ACA will not maintain AAR responses or feedback past June 1.

What is the difference between the AAR and the Statement of Compliance?

Both are annual requirements to maintain accreditation.  Both are available beginning December 1 and are due February 1.

  • The AAR is the camp's annual narrative response to questions specific to standards. The AAR is only completed by accredited camps in non-visit years.
  • The Statement of Compliance is the annual attestation by the camp's legal representative confirming compliance with accreditation criteria. It is signed annually by February 1. This statement can be signed when the AAR is submitted or separately in the Accreditation Portal. 
  • Note: when a camp has a change in leadership that involves the departure of the person who most recently signed the Statement of Compliance, the camp should consider having another camp representative sign the Statement of Compliance. 

The Annual Accreditation Report and the Statement of Compliance must be submitted by February 1 to maintain accredited status. ACA will remove accreditation for non-submission. 

What is the difference between the AAR and the documentation used for onsite accreditation visits?

  • The AAR is a series of questions. Camps respond in a narrative format, rather than by providing links or documents as evidence of compliance. Think of it as a conversation between the camp and the volunteer reviewer. 
  • Reviewers provide educational feedback and inform camps if they met or did not meet the objective of the question - or if the response is not clear. Unlike during a visit, submissions are not "scored."
  • Camps read and absorb the feedback, implementing suggestions and guidance as appropriate. 

How do we complete the AAR?

Read the AAR Guide for Camps, available in your Accreditation Portal in December. The guide includes AAR questions, examples of camp responses, and step-by-step instructions. 

Tips for success:

  • Read questions carefully. Make sure your response answers exactly what's asked.
  • Engage your team. Collaborate with others in your operation to contribute.
  • Explain non-applicable items. If something doesn't apply, say why and add context. 
  • Be detailed. Thoughtful, complete responses lead to meaningful reviewer feedback. 
  • Engage in the process. Use the feedback to strengthen your practices.
  • Start early. The AAR takes about 1-2 hours. Submit before February 1 for timely review.

There are no standards referenced in the questions, how do I respond?

The AAR focuses on the intent of several standards and does not specifically reference the standard numbers. Remember, the AAR is not intended to be a site visit with yes/no scoring. Rather, the AAR is an educational tool for the camp that emphasizes ongoing improvement throughout the accreditation cycle. 

How do I submit the AAR?

Submit the AAR through the Accreditation Portal.  This is the only way a report is accepted.  Please contact us immediately if you do not have access to submit the report. The report should take 1 to 2 hours to complete.  Important note: save your work after answering each question.

Preview the questions in the AAR Guide for Camps. You may prepare responses in advance outside of the Accreditation Portal and paste your plain-text answers into the portal.  

Tip: if preparing responses in Microsoft Word and pasting into the portal, make sure to paste plain text using one of the following methods:

  • select the text and use the "clear all formatting" feature in the Font section
  • select the text and use the keyboard shortcuts ctrl + C to copy, then ctrl + shift + V to paste plain text

About the AAR

The Annual Accreditation Report allows camps to demonstrate compliance with accreditation standards in non-visit years by submitting a narrative report. The purpose of the report is to:

  • Provide evidence of ongoing quality enhancement/improvement efforts as part of the accreditation cycle;
  • Provide education and feedback from trained reviewers for camps in non-visit years;
  • Provide evidence of continual compliance with ACA standards throughout the accreditation cycle.