In the fall 2018 CampLine (page 17), we stated there were two new mandatory standards that will impact all ACA-accredited camps in 2019. There are actually three (two of them address locking of medication). The list below includes the three new “mandatory” standards. Two of them (SF.3 and HW.19) are current standards moved to mandatory status. HW.28.2 is a new standard.
SF.3 Contact with Local Officials
The slightly revised standard, which has been moved to mandatory status, states: Does the camp make annual contact with all applicable local emergency officials to notify them of the camp’s dates of operation and relevant scope of programming (including items such as clients served, significant elements of the program, and overview of the facilities)?
As more camps are being impacted by severe weather and other natural disasters (such as forest fires), establishing the relationship with local officials becomes even more critical.
HW.19 Medication Storage and Administration
Does the camp require:
A. All drugs to be stored under lock except when in the controlled possession of the person responsible for administering them;
B. For prescription drugs — they are given only under the specific directions of a licensed physician;
C. For nonprescription drugs — they are given per the camp’s written procedures (see standards HW.11 and HW.12) or under the signed instruction of the parent or guardian or the individual’s physician?
HW.28 Health Information
The following part has been added to this standard: HW.28.2: Does the camp require short-term resident camps and/or advise rental group leaders to store and lock all medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) except when in the controlled possession of the person responsible for administering them?
As more participants bring medication to camp, the potential of “sharing” medication or someone “borrowing” medication becomes greater. Locking of all medication can help prevent this from occurring to some extent.
“Pull and replace” pages that include the revisions and mandatory status for these three standards for the Accreditation Process Guide, 2012 Edition are available on the ACA website: ACAcamps.org/staff-professionals/accreditation-standards/tools-resources/standards-revisions-clarifications. These three standards are part of the newly revised 2019 standards and are mandatory.
