ACAcamps.org
donate contact us search site map
About ACA
Camp Accreditation or Affiliation
Resources / Tools
Learn More / Apply
We Will Be Visited
Who We Are
Membership
Public Policy
Local Offices of ACA
Support ACA
 
 

Accreditation Fees

What is the fee to seek accreditation?
To seek accreditation, a camp must pay dues and services fees as described on the accreditation application specific to your section of the country. Once annual service fees have been paid, there is no additional charge for accreditation services.

Annual dues and services typically amount to less than one-half of one percent of the program’s operating budget. Service fees are then calculated on a sliding scale and vary from section to section depending on the services available from the section.

Camps will receive a copy of ACA's Accreditation Standards for Camp Programs and Services. There is no further charge for participation in the Standards Course or for expenses of the visitation team.

How do the fees I pay relate to services I receive?
Between one-half and two-thirds of your service fee is passed on to your local ACA section for delivery of local services including the administration of the ACA Standards program.

The portion that remains at the national office is used to finance the ongoing work of a National Standards Board and appropriate staff to maintain this national program. Besides maintenance of the standards program, your service fees support programs that benefit all camps, like our award-winning national public awareness program and our legislative monitoring and action on issues that affect camps on the national level.

Do accredited camps get any exclusive discounts or other "rewards?"
Accreditation isn't cheap and it isn't easy, but camp directors sure do believe it's worth it! In fact, nine out of ten ACA camp directors continue to seek accreditation for their camps because they believe it helps them maintain a safe, quality environment for their campers and staff. (Responses to the question: "Why do you continue to seek accreditation?" 1997 ACA Summer Camp Survey, American Camping Association.)

There are lots of rewards ranging from mentors to national publicity.

Quick Links
Find a Camp Volunteers Media Knowledge Center Membership
Find a Job Message Boards Parents Camping Magazine Public Policy
Donate Conferences Research Education/Training Accreditation
Bookstore About ACA Buyers Guide RSS Feed ACA Logos
Contact ACA
National Office
Local Offices
Webmaster
© 2008 American Camping Association, Inc.