Accreditation
On-Site Visit Expectations
Smooth and Successful On-Site Visits
Communicate Early & Often
Communicate with your lead visitor to ensure that the details of the visit are secure:
- Location/directions to the camp and a place and time to meet the day of the visit.
- Is lunch provided, or should the visitors bring their lunch?
- Are there any clothing requirements?
- Are there cultural norms or mores that visitors should be aware of (language, greetings, dress, food, etc.)?
- Is there cell reception and/or Wi-Fi so visitors can make proper arrangements?
- Will documents be reviewed digitally? And if so, do visitors need to bring a laptop or tablet?
Camp Tour Schedule
Think about the areas of camp and specialized activities that need to be observed and draft a tour schedule that you can collaborate on with your visitor team once they arrive. During the tour, your visitor team should have the opportunity to talk with staff and campers- make sure your camp team is as involved as they can be on the tour.
Documentation for Review & Scoring
Assure that ALL documentation is gathered in one place for the written documentation review portion of the visit. If documents are stored electronically, each person should have individual access to reviewing the documents. Make sure your Accreditation Process Guide is up to date!
Take a Moment to Celebrate
You and your team have worked hard to prepare and get to this point. Now it's your time to shine and show off how special your camp is. Take it in and enjoy the day of the visit. Remember your visitors are “camp people” and your peers who know what it’s like to be in your shoes.
When Will I Know the Results?
Camps visited in the summer will be notified of the results of the visit no later than October 31 of the same year. Camps visited at other times of the year will be notified between six (6) and eight (8) weeks following the receipt of the score form at the ACA, Inc. office. While a camp may be visited for accreditation during its first season of operation, accreditation is not achieved until action by the local leadership confirms that all accreditation criteria are met. The “accreditation year” is November 1 through October 31.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions or need assistance related to your visit, please feel free to contact a member of the Accreditation & Standards Team.
Accreditation Volunteer Resources
If you are looking for other resources and cannot find them or need assistance during a visit, please contact your accreditation staff member. Thank you for your support of the accreditation program!
Visit Assignment Tools & Resources
Click the button below for more information, tools, and resources to help best prepare yourself for any assigned accreditation visits. Resources include:
- Site-Visit Roles & Responsibilities
- Visit Preparation Tools
- Site-Visit Forms
- Post-Visit Resources
- and more...
Visit Assignment Tools & Resources
Help Spread the Word!
Help us spread the word about the amazing professional development opportunity that is being an ACA Visitor! If you identify a fellow camp professional who would be an excellent ACA accreditation volunteer, please have them check out the "Become a Visitor" page using the link below!
Become an Accreditation Volunteer!!
Accreditation Volunteer Portal
Portal access is only available for current Accreditation Volunteers, and membership fees must be current for access. Access requires individual login. Highlights of the portal include:
- Digital Accreditation Process Guide (APG) v.2019
- My Visits Portal
- Annual Accreditation Report for Reviewers
- and more...
Accreditation Volunteer Portal
Volunteer Role Service Description
Accreditation Process Guide
Pull-and-Replace Pages November 2025
Annual Accreditation Report for Reviewers
AAR Reviewer Access and Resources
Become an Accreditation Volunteer
Are you ready to become an Accreditation Volunteer? Apply Now!
Do you have questions about becoming an Accreditation Volunteer? Keep reading and/or join us for an Accreditation Volunteer Interest Session. These brief, informal sessions are held September through December.
Get Started
These 2 steps will get you on the path to becoming an ACA Accreditation Volunteer!
- Check the Accreditation Volunteer Course schedule and find a date that works with your schedule.
- Submit an Accreditation Volunteer Application (online) You'll select your preferred course date on the application.
The Accreditation Volunteer Course consists of two parts:
- Part 1 is online, asynchronous, and takes about 4-5 hours to complete based on your individual learning styles and preferences. Part 1 focuses on learning the principles of the accreditation program and functions of being a visitor. It must be completed prior to your attendance at Part 2. You will receive access to Part 1 approximately one month prior to your scheduled date for Part 2.
- Part 2 is a live, synchronous, 8-hour course that focuses on practical application of the knowledge you gain in Part 1. This is interactive and requires active participation throughout. Almost all of the course dates offered are virtual, via Zoom, though some in-person courses are offered. You must complete Part 1 prior to being admitted to Part 2.
Accreditation Volunteer Courses are offered November-April. The annual course schedule is published in early September.
Additional Steps
- Review the ACA Associate Visitor/Visitor Service Description.
- Review and be ready to sign the Volunteer Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct
- Be a current ACA individual member.
Visitor Benefits
A Chance to Learn
- During your training, you will build a network of other camp pros and polish your skills of observation and information gathering. Develop into the peer-mentor you always wished you had!
- You may read about programming in Camping Magazine and even listen to a colleague explain how a program works, but the value of seeing other programs in operation is unmatched.
- You will see first-hand how other camps accomplish their missions and reach their goals. See how they make it work in day-to-day operations.
- Get tips and ideas you can use in your own camp.
A Chance to Share
- The ACA accreditation program is a voluntary peer-review program and process. Your involvement and investment as an ACA accreditation volunteer is a significant contribution to the camp community:
- Our campers deserve the best. ACA is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. When you help more camps maintain their accreditation or become accredited, you play a significant part in fulfilling our ACA mission.
- It's a way to give something back. You have learned so much about how to operate a quality camp through the accreditation program, now you have a way to make sure that others can have the same chance for knowledge and growth that you have had.
A Chance to Save Money
- Save $110 a year on ACA membership.
Questions? Contact Us:
- ACA Accreditation, American Camp Association | 800-428-2267
- Colette Marquardt, ACA Illinois | 312-332-0833
- Deirdre Riggsbee, ACA New York & New Jersey | 212-391-5208
- Bud Copeland, ACA New England | 781-541-6080
Written Documentation Review
Written Documentation Review (WDR)
Included in Required Written Documentation Review is noted in the Accreditation Process Guide (APG) for specific standards that require written documentation to be submitted by April 1. There are 26 standards included in the Written Documentation Review (WDR). Non-accredited camps must submit the WDR to move forward with a site visit.
The purpose of the WDR is to:
- Educate the camp representative on the adequacy of the camp’s paperwork BEFORE the on-site visit and scoring.
- While the intent is for the written documentation for the standard to be complete, the review allows the camp to ask questions and make corrections before the on-site visit when scoring occurs.
- Help verify that the camp is prepared for their on-site visit.
ACA offers multiple resources for the WDR:
- Written Documentation Review in the ACA Accreditation Portal
- Written Documentation Review (.docx)
- Standards Planning Tool Includes written documentation tool (.xlsx)
The ACA Accreditation Portal Written Documentation Review (WDR) tool is the preferred method to submit your WDR. You can share links to your written documentation in your cloud file storage and make notes for your visitor to review in this space. Your visitor has access to everything you post and can provide helpful feedback to make sure you're on track for your on-site visit. A summary report is provided of your submission, shared links, and ACA volunteer feedback.
Organization of Written Documentation
We strongly suggest all camps prepare ALL written documentation in a digital format. Camps need to communicate directly with their ACA visit team once assigned.
All camps should create and use cloud file storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, box, etc.) to organize ALL written documentation related to accreditation standards. If your camp still uses the practice of printing documentation in hard copy and placing it in a binder to review on the day of the visit, that can continue; however, you should also have the digital organization of the documents.
The other key to great organization is highlighting, tagging, or marking specific elements of your written documentation to make it easy for the visitor team to find your compliance demonstration.
Benefits of digital document organization:
- One of the objectives of having written documentation is that it provides consistency and makes your policies, procedures, and practices easier to disseminate. If only the director or coordinator of your written documentation can access it, how can you ensure that your entire camp community embraces and implements the standards? Having documents that you can share quickly and easily in a digital format allows greater exposure and access to all the work you put into aligning with the ACA accreditation standards.
- When documents are in cloud file storage, they can be easily shared directly with others for collaborative work.
- Paper copies are more likely to be accidentally torn up, are harder to recreate if this is the only version that exists, can be damaged or destroyed between uses, or disappear in leadership transitions. Having your documents in cloud file storage allows you to share the folder with other key team members, so they are less likely to be lost or destroyed from year to year.
Timeline for On-Site Visits
In the year of your visit, you will receive an email in the fall reminding you that it's your expected visit year. You can also check your next visit year in the Accreditation Portal. This timeline will help you keep track of key tasks and requirements to complete throughout the year. If you have questions about items on this timeline, contact your accreditation staff member for assistance. The ACA accreditation year is from November 1 through October 31.
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Fall-Winter |
Accreditation Process Workshop Complete this workshop as early as possible. It is required that at least 1 person from the camp team takes this in the year of the visit. |
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January |
Sign annual Statement of Compliance (currently accredited camps) |
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February 1 |
New or non-accredited camp application and fee due Application and fee must be received to move forward with the accreditation process. Camp Information Form* |
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March |
Visitor assignments sent via e-mail* |
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April 1 |
Accreditation Process Workshop Camps not currently accredited must complete both requirements by April 1 to move forward with a site visit |
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June-August |
On-site peer-review visit (most visits take place during the summer months). The on-site visit date is determined with your visit team and occurs on a typical program day (not the opening or closing day of a camp session), and often requires a full day. The peer review is conducted by a team of ACA-trained volunteers who will spend the day observing the camp and working with the director in the scoring process. This visit must occur when the camp is in full operation during the camp's primary business season. |
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November |
Camp notified of accreditation status |
Reminder: Ensure fees are current to avoid resource interruption.
Camps Preparing for an On-Site Visit
For camps that are seeking accreditation for the first time, or maintaining their accreditation with their on-site visit, this in an overview of the steps to take in a visit year.
Learn about the important due dates, requirements and estimated time investment to prepare for an on-site visit through maintaining your accreditation.
A fundamental learning opportunity in the accreditation program is receiving feedback from accreditation volunteers on your written documentation. The review and feedback allow the camp to ask questions and make corrections before the on-site visit when scoring occurs and helps verify that the camp is prepared for the on-site visit.
Finding qualified staff and volunteers is a big task. Check out the resources you can use to help you find the industry experts and providers that meet the standards for certification across aquatics, adventure/challenge, first aid/cpr, horseback riding and more.
Day of On-Site Visit / Camp Tour
Tips and tricks to prepare you and your camp community for the day of the visit.
Accredited camps are responsible not only to meet state and local laws, but also to meet the requirements defined by the standards. The Accreditation Process Guide includes seven sections of standards. The digital version is available to all accredited and accreditation-seeking camps with active membership.
Accreditation Related Trainings
Accreditation Process Workshop Self-Guided Online Learning
This self-guided online course is designed to provide an overview of the ACA Accreditation Process. All camps expecting a visit must have at least one person complete this current online course on behalf of the camp.
Closer Look Video Series
On-demand video library breaking down different topics of standards to explore the meaning and context and gain helpful hints to build your standards knowledge and confidence.
Accreditation Volunteer (formerly the Associate Visitor) Course
The ACA accreditation program is a voluntary peer-review program and process. Involvement and investment as an ACA accreditation volunteer make significant contributions to the camp community by giving back their time, knowledge, and experience as a peer. Please review the qualifications and responsibilities before applying. This is your chance at the best professional development ever!
Accreditation Volunteer Update Course
Accreditation volunteers are required to update on a regular basis to maintain active volunteer status. This update must be completed before doing a visit. All accreditation volunteers are pre-enrolled. Visit the ACA Learning Center for access.