Always Ask if the Camp You are Considering is Accredited

When preparing to send your child to summer camp, parents often have lots of questions. While you, as a parent, might wonder if your child is ready for camp or how much does camp cost, there is another question you may want to ask. The question – “Is this camp American Camp Association (ACA) accredited?” Why? ACA-accredited camps are focused on safety, health, and risk management and while ACA accreditation is voluntary, it helps parents know which camps are committed to providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment for their kids.

In Broward County, Camp Live Oak is the only ACA-Accredited® Camp. As a result, like all ACA-Accredited® Camps, Camp Live Oak cares enough to invite peer review of its operations, from staff to training to crisis management, and deliver a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment for your children. Let’s explore why ACA accreditation is so important.

The American Camp Association

The American Camp Association has a long history (more than a century) as a community of camp professionals who work to ensure premium quality camp programs and operations. The mission of the ACA is “enriching the lives of children, youth and adults through the camp experience.” A national organization, the ACA boasts 3,000 member camps and more than 12,000 individual members. ACA strives to collaborate with all who seek quality camp and outdoor adventures for children, teens, and adults. The organization accredits more than 2,400 camps which must meet hundreds of stringent safety, health, and quality standards. Exceptional camping programs, which incorporate fun and learning, are the goal of the ACA and its accredited camps where service to community and nature are promoted and learning, development, and personal growth are the end result.

Why Choose an ACA-Accredited® Camp?

Here are just a few of the reasons:

ACA accreditation is voluntary for camps like Camp Live Oak, which, in turn, ensures parents the camp truly cares about the children who attend. Why else would they go through the demands of peer review which includes qualifications for staff members, training in emergency management, and so much more.
Because the ACA works in collaboration with the American Red Cross, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other like-minded agencies, ACA-Accredited® Camps practices and operations are aligned with the latest standards of camp guidelines and regulations.
For ACA-Accredited® camps, the camp experience is crucial, contributing to the growth and development of children, teens, adults, families, and communities.
ACA-Accredited® camps work in partnership with the ACA to ensure the camp’s environment is safe and healthy, while it promotes fun, learning, and personal growth. These camps strive to develop character, cooperation, self-esteem, courage, responsibility, and resourcefulness – the skills every child needs to become a strong, capable, and caring adult.
ACA-Accredited® camps encourage campers to value their own uniqueness and embrace their role in the community. In addition, these camps teach children the importance of caring for the nature and the environment, and the stewardship that is required to respect and care for it.
ACA standards are recognized by government regulators for exceptional camp standards and often exceed state licensing which varies from state to state. ACA standards address cleanliness, health, and food services, as well as guidelines for programming, camp staff, healthcare, and emergency management.
For camps that offer horseback riding, travel, water activities, and adventure, the ACA provides special standards.
ACA standards require staff training and ongoing staff/camper supervision and require that camps ensure activities are developmentally centered and staffed with trained individuals.
ACA-Accredited® camps have emergency transportation available at all times, including trained staff and first-aid facilities onsite.
ACA accreditation requires staff screenings with applications, interviews, and level 2 criminal background checks and fingerprinting on full-time, year-round staff and seasonal staff.

As the ONLY ACA-Accredited® camp in Broward County, Camp Live Oak, also a Non- Profit Organization 501 (c)(3), promises an exceptional camp experience for each camper, while providing peace of mind to parents who know their children are getting the best – from safety standards to staff, programming to facilities, and more.