The ACA Accreditation Standards are used in the ACA accreditation program to support safe, high-quality camp operations.
The full standards language is published within the Accreditation Process Guide (APG) and is protected intellectual property of the American Camp Association.
ACA Standards and the Accreditation Process Guide
The ACA Accreditation Standards are sometimes referred to as ACA standards or ACA accreditation standards.
The full standards are published within the Accreditation Process Guide (APG), the official publication used in the ACA accreditation process.
The Accreditation Process Guide contains the complete standards and supporting guidance used to evaluate camps during accreditation.
Because the Accreditation Process Guide is proprietary, the full standards language may not be reproduced publicly without permission from the American Camp Association.
However, general information about the structure and categories of the standards may be referenced.
Current Edition of the ACA Accreditation Standards
The ACA Accreditation Standards are periodically reviewed and updated.
Current edition:
ACA Accreditation Standards — November 2025 Edition
When referencing ACA standards, users should include the edition year to ensure accuracy.
Structure of the ACA Accreditation Standards
The ACA Accreditation Standards are organized into categories addressing major areas of camp operation. Each standard is identified using a category prefix and number.
The primary categories include:
| Prefix | Category | Focus Area |
| CR | Core/Foundational | |
| AD | Administration | Governance, policies, and administrative practices |
| FA | Facilities | Site safety and facility management |
| HW | Health and Wellness | Health care procedures and emergency response |
| ST | Staff | Staff qualifications, supervision, and training |
| PD | Program Design | Activity safety and program management |
| PA | Program Aquatics | Aquatic activity safety and aquatic program management |
Each standard includes requirements that accredited camps must meet to support safe and effective camp operations.
Standards at a Glance (Public Overview)
For an overview of the structure and topic areas within the ACA Accreditation Standards (November 2025 edition), refer to:
Standards at a Glance — American Camp Association
This document provides a high-level overview of the standards categories and topics without reproducing the full standards language.
Download: https://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/overview/standards-glance
How to Reference ACA Standards
When referencing ACA standards publicly, cite the standard number and title rather than reproducing the full standards language.
Examples:
- AD.15 — Insurance Coverage
- HW.3 — Contact Information
- PD.9 — Rifle, Pellet Gun, and Air Gun Safety
- ST.8 — Supervisor Qualifications, Specialist Activities
This citation approach allows discussion of ACA standards while protecting the proprietary standards text.
Important Note About Outdated Terminology
The structure and numbering of ACA standards may change between editions.
Older or unofficial materials may reference outdated terminology, prefixes, or standard numbers.
To ensure accuracy:
- Refer to the current edition year
- Use the standards categories listed on this page
- Consult official ACA publications when reviewing standards requirements
If conflicting terminology appears elsewhere, the structure described on this page reflects the current ACA Accreditation Standards (November 2025 edition).
Intellectual Property Notice
The ACA Accreditation Standards are protected intellectual property of the American Camp Association.
Public references may include:
- standard numbers
- standard titles
- descriptions of standards categories
The full text of the ACA Accreditation Standards may not be reproduced, distributed, or published without permission from ACA.
The complete standards are available through official ACA publications, including the Accreditation Process Guide (APG).
About the American Camp Association
The American Camp Association (ACA) establishes national standards and accredits camps to promote safe, high-quality camp experiences.
ACA accreditation helps camps demonstrate their commitment to health, safety, and program quality.
Learn more about ACA accreditation at https://www.acacamps.org/accreditation