Program Quality
Tools for Continuous Improvement
We hope you’ll join us in conceptualizing our work serving youth in a way that fosters inclusivity and growth and creates higher quality programs to deliver experiences that enrich campers’ lives no matter their background.
We strive to improve all year, every year, by engaging in a continuous improvement cycle. This cycle is comprised of four steps: Prepare, Assess, Plan, and Improve. Think of this cycle as a power strip, the backbone of our work. A power strip allows for multiple different energy-supported elements to be plugged in. now, if we conceptualize the sustainable outcomes of our special projects as different elements to be plugged into the continuous improvement power strip, we can continuously improve the way we serve youth and the way we support camps in serving youth.
This approach to our special projects and research allows us to learn along the way and to be responsive to what we learn from the experiences of those who engage with us. It also situates ACA in a position to provide support sustainably and continuously for camps and professionals who want to plug into this work.
Camp Program Quality
Continuous Program Quality Improvement
Improvement of program quality at ACA is not linear—it isn’t easily accomplished for an organization as a checklist. Instead, our program quality work is inspired and framed by continuous improvement. Through a supported , annual cycle of Prepare-Assess-Plan-Improve, camp programs can sustainably integrate continuous program quality improvement into their internal systems and cultures.
Because of the ongoing and subjective nature of this work, ACA has systems of support to ensure camps of all types can engage in each step of the continuous program quality improvement cycle in ways that are accessible and relevant to them. These systems include access to tools, trained program quality assessors and coaches, professional development workshops and trainings, and a community of practice centered around peer learning and support.
Community of Practice
Anyone is welcome to join the Community of Quality Practice. It is an open space for those who have been trained and have already integrated continuous quality improvement into their programs or are new to program quality improvement. This space is for Community of Quality Practice members to discuss how quality is showing up in their programs, what improvements they are making, and to connect with each other. Ideally, this community will turn into a space that is member driven. Our Program Quality Community of Practice convenes monthly from September – April each fiscal year.
Program Quality Community of Practice
Workbooks
Our Continuous Improvement: Organizational Quality Improvements and Continuous Improvement: Improving the Youth Experience workbooks are standalone resources that can be handed directly to camp and youth serving practitioners. Each workbook is intended to be interactive and offer opportunities for readers to engage with sections as needed.
Purchase the individual workbooks:
Creating Inclusive Camps
The Creating Inclusive Camps tool is designed to help you and your camp identify the work you already do to make your camp an inclusive space. It does this by supporting you in identifying where you are on a five-stage scale of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advancement.
For more information or questions about camp program quality, email us at [email protected].
