Accreditation

We recommend you know as much about accreditation as possible before getting started. Please attend the free one-hour webinar called Ready. Set. Go. to learn more about what to expect. Learn more about the accreditation program and the benefits of accreditation.

Deadlines for Camps Seeking Accreditation

To Do List — To receive an accreditation visit, a camp must do the following.

1. Fall - Attend a Ready. Set. Go. informational webinar. Submit an application and fees as early as possible. We suggest no later than September or October. If you submit your application after February 1, your camp will not receive a visit that summer. If your program occurs primarily outside of the summer months, please contact ACA.
2. Fall/Winter - Complete an Accreditation Process Workshop as soon as possible. The sooner, the better. If you haven't taken a course by March 31, your camp will not receive a visit that summer.
3. Fall/Winter - Prepare materials and written documentation required by the standards; review and evaluate each area of your camp's operation using the guidelines noted in the standards.
4. Fall/Winter - Take advantage of all preparation resources in the Accreditation Academy to support your work in preparing materials.
5. Spring - By mid to late March, you'll have your visitor assignment.  
6. Spring - Submit the written documentation required in the Written Documentation Review before April 1.
7. Summer - Participate in the peer review process (the "visit").
8. Fall - In early November, you'll receive notification of your accreditation. 

Reminders

• Begin early! It can take up to 18 months to prepare for your first ACA accreditation visit. Significant written documentation is required.
• Your ACA accreditation visitor will reach out for the Written Documentation Review and to set a visit date.
• ACA's Accreditation Program is not intended to circumvent the licensure required to operate your primary business.
• Compliance with legal requirements of the jurisdictions within which a camp/program is located is the responsibility of the camp.

Application Details

Applications for accreditation must be received by ACA by February 1 if you are seeking a visit in the upcoming summer. 

If your camp is interested in seeking accreditation, please contact the membership team.

1. We will help you understand requirements, time commitment, and work involved
2. We will discuss eligibility with you
3. We will discuss camp fees and the application process with you

We look forward to assisting you!  Send us an email or call us at 765-342-8456 press 1.

If you'd like to find out more about rates or think you are ready to apply, please email or call us at 800-428-2267, option 1, so we can have a conversation with you.

Paying Your Renewal Dues/Fees?
Please do not pay with the online application.

• Have your renewal notice and are ready to pay? You can pay online.
• Don’t have your renewal notice, contact membership@ACAcamps.org.

If you have questions about a specific certification that is not listed, please contact aburbank@ACAcamps.org. To request a review of the certification and determine whether it can be recognized by ACA, fill out this form.  NOTE: ACA will only accept certification review requests directly from camp operators that are ACA accredited or have submitted an application for accreditation.

Certification or documented training alone is not enough to assure a camp director that a staff member can execute the necessary skills. Skills verification is also required to provide assurance that a staff member can perform site-specific rescue/emergency procedures, use equipment available at the site, and provide appropriate instruction and supervision to campers or assisting staff. It is important that camp personnel verify courses being completed by their camp staff are recognized by ACA, the state (when applicable), and are appropriate for the camp's program and operation.
 

Adventure/ Challenge

• Adventure/Challenge: Program Resources 

Aquatics: Program Resources

• Aquatics: Recognized Certifications (Requires member login)
• Aquatic Safety Guide — Markel Insurance
• Aquatics: Staff Skills Verification-Lifeguarding 
• Aquatics Staff Skills Verification: Site-Specific Watercraft Rescue and Emergency Procedure 
• Aquatics: Watercraft (Non-Motorized) Maintenance Checklist 

First Aid, CPR/AED

• First Aid, CPR/AED: Recognized Certifications (Requires member login)

Equestrian

• Horseback Riding: Program Resources

Disclaimer: The American Camping Association (ACA), Inc. provides guidelines, but cannot and does not specifically monitor continued adherence to those guidelines. Nor does ACA, Inc. warrant, guarantee, or insure that adherence to guidelines will prevent any or all injury or loss; nor does ACA, Inc. assume any responsibility or liability for any such injury or loss. Further, ACA, Inc., hereby disclaims any responsibility, liability, or duty to persons or organizations using these resources for any such liability arising out of use of these materials. In addition, ACA, Inc. is not in a position to independently verify that use of these policies or procedures will alone provide a basis for adequate compliance with ACA standards. Such compliance can only be verified by comparing the policies and their implementation to current practice in the camp(s) in question by an on-site visit. Read the full disclaimer.

Purchase the Accreditation Process Guide v.2019

Fee-paying camps — access the digital Accrediation Process Guide.

If you are having trouble finding the information you need, please contact ACA with your specific questions.

• Deliver camp programs and/or provide camp facilities and services for other programs consistent with ACA’s mission.
• Programs must be U.S.-based and primarily run in the U.S.
• Programs with a primary audience of campers five years and older. (NOTE: Many camps offer programs that serve some three- or four-year-old campers. If this is the camp’s primary audience, accreditation or licensure through a different organization is most appropriate.)
• Program sessions must be at least three days in length, with a specific purpose and goals.
• Single-day programs, one-night/two-day programs, and virtual programs are not considered for ACA accreditation.
• Conduct activities or serve camps and programs that conduct activities which:
  • Utilize trained leadership.
  • Include planned and organized group interaction that contributes to participants’ personal growth, which may include skills development as well as mental, physical, social, and spiritual growth.
  • Provide a sustained experience for participants attending for an established period of time.
  • Will often include the outdoors and the natural environment as a setting for activities that teach environmental stewardship and recreational skills.
  • Have a commitment to health, safety, and risk management.

ACA Camps Set the Standards

Strategic Planning
ACA accreditation is an educational tool, an industry benchmark, a best-practices solution, and a learning formula for your camp staff. Strategic planning for your camp is simplified; policies, procedures, and practices are established; and your staff is responsible for ongoing implementation – a dynamic instructional process for any camp!

Professional Development
It is proven that involvement in professional organizations in any field of expertise develops well-informed, better-educated staff. The accreditation process and membership in ACA are invaluable tools for success. 

Networking
Professional ties and the opportunity to network with your colleagues are incredible benefits – get involved! Accreditation is administered by trained volunteers.  Accreditation volunteers are trained, industry peers. Become an accreditation visitor and learn more, understand more, and discover more!  Be part of ACA's greatest asset, our peer volunteers! You can give back to camps and witness how other camps operate.

Exclusive Discounts
Recoup your investment in accreditation through discounts on services you can't do without – group purchasing of food service contracts, propane, office supplies, building and cleaning supplies, staff recruitment, and product savings through ACA business partnerships and vendors.

Advertising / Promotion
ACA's Find a Camp database receives thousands of unique page views per day! ACA-accredited camps are recognized with the accreditation logo on this interactive search tool for parents. Find-A-Camp provides parents with a better choice in camps and a direct link to your camp. Camps should be proud and promote their accreditation to the public.

Prestige
Parents nationwide recognize the importance of ACA accreditation when choosing a camp for their child, and they expect you to reach far beyond the minimum state and local regulations. ACA-accreditation status demonstrates a camp's accountability, credibility, and commitment.

Use key messages and scripts to keep parents tuned to the value of your accreditation status in every operational aspect of your camp, from programming to staff training.

Want to Learn More?

• Attend the Ready. Set. Go. – A one-hour webinar to learn more about what to expect. 
• Set up a consultation with one of the staff from ACA’s membership team.
• Take the Accreditation Process Workshop.
• Review the information for preparing for an on-site visit.
• Check out the Accreditation Academy, your one-stop shop for learning and resources for ACA’s Accreditation. 

Resources to Get You Started

• Application & Cost of Accreditation
• The Value of Accreditation – Helpful information for prospective camps, boards, parents, media (PDF)
• The Value of Accreditation for Day Camps - Helpful information for day camps (PDF)
• Overview of the Standards
• Standards-at-a-Glance – This is a summary list, and the use of the Accreditation Process Guide is required to accurately prepare.
• The Accreditation Process Guide is provided to camps once an application is submitted, but to prepare prior to your application submission, it can be purchased from the ACA Bookstore.
• State Laws & Regulations
• Sample Toolkit of Written Documentation Planning Tools – A sampling of the resources available to support written documentation development. A larger toolkit is available in the Accreditation Academy for members only.

Questions? Call us 1- 800-428-2267 Dial option 2.