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In 2007, an estimated more than 10 million children
and youth benefited from a camp experience at
the more than 12,000 camps nationwide. The diversity
of types of camps continues to increase, with
up to 15 percent dedicated to meeting the special
needs of campers with physical, emotional, or
mental challenges. In addition, many of
today's camps offer camp experiences year-round.
Verifying best practices in the extensive range
of camps requires a system that is broadly applicable
and continually updated. Currently, states
vary significantly in their oversight of camp
operations. In many states, camps fall
under the jurisdiction of the state health department;
in others, social or human services departments
provide licensing or permit rules. Today,
courts of law recognize ACA-accreditation requirements
as the standard of care for camps.
In the last ten years, we have seen more states
working with the American Camp Association's
(ACA) camp standards to complement and strengthen
the camp profession. At the same time,
ACA has advanced its overall professional development
efforts and exploration of quality and best practice
indicators for the camp profession.
ACA's position
statement on Camp Safety (PDF) says:
"ACA actively promotes and supports camp
safety. We provide camps and their leaders
with well-tested programs and services that advance
a continuous improvement process that goes well
beyond fundamental protection."
"For assurance of fundamental protection,
ACA believes state governments are better able
than the federal government to determine levels
of care for organized camp operations. Furthermore,
we believe states should collaborate with non-governmental
national organizations, such as ACA, in order
to further advance a higher level of care and
well-being during the camp experience."
"When states collaborate with non-governmental
national organizations, such as ACA, a higher
level of care and well-being is advanced - well-being
that goes beyond fundamental protection and is
directly related to best practice. Therefore,
training and education that advance a continuous
improvement process is critical."
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