ACA Accreditation
Leadership Academy camps are Accredited! We are delighted that our Nashville Sail Camp (ACA Link) has earned ACA-Accredited® Camp status!
What does ACA Accreditation mean for us?
This is verification from the American Camp Association® that our camps complied with up to 300 industry-established health and safety standards, which are recognized by government regulators as the standards of the camp industry.
Leadership Academy recognizes that ACA camps set the standard for the industry. For us, it is a regular, independent health and safety audit of camp operations. For parents, the ACA-accredited camp sign symbolizes excellence, our accountability, and ongoing commitment to the children we serve.
Our next steps:
We are very proud of our accomplishments as a company, and we hope you can see the benefits of our hard work to become ACA-accredited. We are now striving to get the rest of our camps ACA accredited. If you have any questions about our status or the accreditation process, please email us. We’re happy to share the value of accreditation with you!
ACA Accreditation FAQ
Fun And Safety — ACA Camps Set the Standard
ACA Accreditation means that Leadership Academy cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 290 standards) review of its operations — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association® collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.
ACA helps accredited camps provide:
- Healthy, developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences
- Discovery through experiential education
- Caring, competent role models
- Service to the community and the environment
- Opportunities for leadership and personal growth
- Use the following answers to common questions about ACA accreditation and define the value of accreditation to parents . . . .
What’s the difference between state licensing of camps and accreditation by ACA?
Accreditation is voluntary and ACA accreditation assures families that camps have made the commitment to a safe, nurturing environment for their children. Licensing is mandatory and requirements vary from state to state. ACA standards are recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards of the camp community.
How do ACA standards exceed state licensing requirements?
ACA goes beyond basic requirements for health, cleanliness, and food service into specific areas of programming, including camp staff from director through counselors, emergency management plans, health care, and management. ACA applies separate standards for activities such as waterfront, horseback riding, and adventure and travel.
What are some of the ACA standards that camps rely on?
- Staff to camper ratios are appropriate for different age groups
- Goals for camp activities are developmentally based
- Emergency transportation available at all times
- First-aid facilities and trained staff available when campers are present
How can I verify that my child’s camp is ACA accredited?
Parents can (and should) verify the accreditation status of any camp at any time by visiting ACA’s Web site at www.ACAcamps.org or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP.
