There are many questions on a parent’s mind when researching summer camps for their children. Will this camp offer activities they like? Will they make friends at this camp? Can I afford to send my child to this camp?
While these are all important questions, the first question that needs to be asked should be “is this camp accredited?”
To be accredited means the camp delivers safe, high-quality facilities and programming. Since 1971, the Alberta Camping Association (ACA) has been doing accreditation inspections of Alberta summer camps including overnight, day camps, municipal programs, and rental facilities.
“Our organization has been around for more than 50 years working with camps to maintain high standards of operational excellence,” says Callum Monteith, ACA Board Chair.
“Our Board and staff come from various camp and outdoor backgrounds and share a passion for providing children with safe and quality camp experiences.”
What does accreditation mean?
To earn ACA accreditation, camps must undergo an audit of their paperwork, policies, financial operations, staffing requirements, ratios, programs, and facilities. A stringent set of standards must be met to become accredited. Each camp goes through a recertification program every three years.
“Our standards are the highest in the province,” says Kendra Freeland, ACA Standards Committee Chair. “We have a committee of volunteers who review, update, and add standards regularly to ensure we remain at the forefront of industry standards.”
How do I know if a camp is accredited?
Parents can know with a simple glance if a camp is operating at the highest quality caliber – they simply have to look for the logo!
The ACA Accredited logo means quality, safe, and healthy experiences are offered at the camp that displays it. It’s a distinguished attribute of any camp to say they are accredited. It means they regularly review their policies, their staff is properly trained, they maintain the most stringents standards of safety, and they offer the highest quality programs.
If you don’t see a logo on a camp website, ask if they are accredited or check out the Alberta Camping Association website which lists all our member camps: albertacamping.com.
Top reasons to choose an accredited camp
Its business practices are sound. When a camp is accredited, it has passed the highest standards of business administration practices in many different areas including; record keeping, insurance, safety procedures, human resources, staff training, and supervision ratios.
The ratios and staff training are vital to earning accreditation. Staff must have the proper certifications when supervising campers including First Aid and CPR, the correct Lifeguard training, and other specialized certification based on the programs offered.
ACA ratios are strict and must be met to earn accreditation. Depending on ages, ratios for day range from 1:6 to 1:15, and for overnight camps they range from 1:6 to 1:10.
Its facilities are of the highest quality. The ACA does a thorough review of camp facilities during the accreditation process. It looks at issues such as adherence to legislation and codes, fire safety, evacuation procedures, and motor vehicles standards.
It has the best possible health & safety protocols.
An accredited camp will have the appropriate number of camp medical personnel and first aid training for its size. It will also have proven hygiene procedures and practices, abundant first aid stations and equipment, and proper management of medical records. They will also be known to the nearest medical facility with proper coordinates/directions in the event of a medical emergency.
Its programs meet or exceed industry mandates and standards. To become accredited each camp must pass a set of standards based on the programs and services they offer. This includes a wide range of categories including; swimming (waterfront and pool), horseback riding, out-tripping, boating, archery, riflery, snow camping, challenge courses, caving, rock climbing, ice climbing, biking, and more.
The ACA stays up to date on all industry standards for each category through professional associations.
Look for the ACA logo
Summer camp is an extraordinary experience for children and teens and most campers always look back at their camp time fondly. It also offers a number of mental and physical health benefits (watch for a future article on the Value of Camp, which will detail these benefits in the next issue).
“Parents have so much to think about when finding a camp,” says Jessica Miller Switzer, ACA Executive Director, “We here at the ACA are trying to make it a little easier for parents to find a safe, certified camp.”
While looking at camps, look for that logo! The ACA Accredited Camp logo will provide parents with reassurance that their child will attend a high-quality camp.
The Alberta Camping Association is dedicated to promoting, organizing and advancing camps in Alberta. For more information, contact 1-780-427-6605, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit albertacamping.com.
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