Why You Should Choose an ACA-Accredited® Camp

Why choose an ACA-Accredited® camp? First and foremost, ACA-Accredited® Camps, like Camp Live Oak, are the gold standard of summer camps. Before, answering the why though, let’s take a look at what defines an ACA-Accredited® Camp.

American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation

For more than 100 years, the American Camp Association (ACA), a community of camp professionals, has worked to ensure quality camp programs through the sharing of both knowledge and experience. Today, the ACA’s stated mission is “enriching the lives of children, youth and adults through the camp experience.” More than 12,000 members strong, the ACA works to maintain exceptional programs allowing children to enjoy the fun and learning of camp – lessons in community, skill development, and character – which can only be experienced at camp.

The ACA is among the leading authorities on childhood development and camp. The organization accredits more than 2,400 camps which in turn meet up to 300 stringent standards for health and safety, as well as program quality. Members and camps work to provide safe and nurturing environments for campers, staffed by skilled, caring adult mentors, who promote service to both the community and the natural world in an effort to deliver learning opportunities, experiential education, self-improvement, leadership development and personal growth.

Why an ACA-Accredited® Camp?

For families, ACA Accreditation of a camp, like Camp Live Oak, ensures the camp you choose for your child cares. Otherwise, they wouldn’t go through the rigorous peer review that includes staff qualifications and emergency management training.
The ACA and its collaborative efforts with the American Red Cross, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other similar agencies ensures a camp’s practices are aligned with the latest standards in camp operation.
ACA-Accredited® camps partner with the ACA to make certain the camp environment is safe and promotes fun, personal growth, and learning.
ACA-Accredited® camps believe that the camp experience is essential, making positive contributions to children, adults, families, and communities.
ACA-Accredited® camps seek to encourage campers to value their uniqueness and their role in their community.
These camps aid in the development of character, courage, cooperation, self-esteem, responsibility, and resourcefulness – the skills children need to become strong, caring, capable adults.
ACA-Accredited® camps understand the role of humanity in stewardship of the environment and to that end are committed to helping children grow into responsible adults who not only appreciate but care for the world.
ACA Accreditation is voluntary, which means these camps are obviously committed to a nurturing and safe environment for every child.
ACA Standards, unlike mandatory state licensing which varies from state to state, are recognized government regulators for camp standards.
ACA Standards, in most cases exceeds basic state licensing for cleanliness, health, and food services, and includes standards for programming, camp staff, emergency management, and healthcare. The ACA also provides special standards for camps offering water activities, horseback riding, travel, and adventure.
ACA Accreditation requires staff screening, annual criminal background checks on seasonal staff, and regularly scheduled criminal background checks on full-time, year-round staff. Staff screening includes application, interview, reference checks alongside criminal background checks and more.
ACA Standards also require staff training and ongoing staff/camper supervision.
ACA-Accredited® camps provide emergency transportation at all times, as well as first-aid facilities and trained staff onsite.
ACA-Accredited® camps ensure camp activities are developmentally based with trained staff members leading each activity/program.

Camp Live Oak is the ONLY ACA-Accredited® camp in Broward County, providing exceptional camp experiences for campers, and delivering peace of mind for parents in knowing their children are receiving the best in safety standards, programming, staff, and facilities.