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The American Camping Association offers
a standards program that is appropriate
for a wide variety of camp experiences.
ACA accredits all types of programs sponsored
by all types of organizations -- agencies,
independently owned, religiously affiliated,
therapeutic, city/county programs, etc.
Day camps, resident camps, travel programs,
and others hold ACA accreditation.
ACA's Standards program is designed to serve
camps who operate programs consistent with
the following definition of camping:
A sustained experience which provides
a creative, recreational, and educational
opportunity in group living in the outdoors.
It utilizes trained leadership and the resources
of the natural surroundings to contribute
to each camper's mental, physical, social,
and spiritual growth.
"A sustained
experience" is defined as campers
attending a session for an established period
of time that lasts at least five days. To
be eligible for accreditation, camps must
have at least one session of five days or
more.
"Group
living" includes planned and
organized group interaction that provides
personal growth, skill development, and
instructional opportunities.
"Outdoors"
requires utilizing the outdoors and the
natural environment as a principal setting
for activities and/or specialized recreational
skills such as archery, horseback riding,
swimming, and boating.
Camps may operate on their own property
or on property belonging to someone else.
Operations that lease, rent, or otherwise
make available their site and/or facilities
to other program operators or sponsors,
who are responsible for their own staffing
and programming, may also seek ACA accreditation.
Camps from outside the United States are
welcome to join ACA. Directors can benefit
from the publications, networking, and information
available. However, international camps
are not eligible for accreditation.
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