During our 2017 summer camp program YMCA Camp Wewa was visited by the American Camp Association (ACA) to do an accreditation visit and we are happy to report that we have received our official accreditation this fall!
The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share their knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. The accreditation process consists of compliance in over 200 quality standards regarding all aspects of the camp experience. These standards are observed, reviewed, and scored by an ACA representative during the day of the camp visit. Programs are seen in action and the camper and staff experience are evaluated while the ACA representative spends a day immersed in the camp environment.
The accreditation process is seen as an educational experience allowing Camp Professionals to visit other camps and learn best practices in the industry. A lot of preparation goes into an ACA accreditation visit and it is a great accomplishment to earn the badge of honor of being an ACA accredited camp. An on-site visit occurs every three to five years however there are compliance's that need to be met every year as the responsibility of the camp is to continuously implement all mandatory policies required by the ACA.
Our goal here at YMCA Camp Wewa is for our participants to be safe, have fun, and learn a little something along the way. We are very excited to maintain this accreditation for years to come and continue to collaborate with other
professionals within the camp community. Both of our Camp Directors here at YMCA Camp Wewa are practicing members of the ACA and believe in the importance of the camp experience for today’s youth. Seeking out ACA accreditation is voluntary and not a requirement for camps, however having an ACA accreditation shows our participants that we have accepted a high-quality standard for our operations and programs and we are committed to delivering that standard in all that we offer.
We hope that you share in our excitement as we celebrate this great achievement!