Why Choose An ACA-Certified Summer Camp For Your Daughter

Article Written By: Stephen Daniels

With the pressure of the past school year behind them, summertime offers plenty of opportunities for girls to recharge before their classes resume again. While late mornings and idle afternoons might sound appealing, why not find a way for kids to enjoy their vacation while still learning valuable life skills? Girls summer camps are a great option, but with so many to choose from, you should narrow your search by looking for quality programs certified by the American Camp Association (ACA).

Of course, the first thing you should be looking for is a program that offers activities that fit your daughter's passions. Does she love spending time outdoors? Is she a budding dancer? From nature appreciation to the arts, there are summer camps geared toward just about any interest. In addition, a well-rounded program should also focus on developing positive character traits like leadership, responsibility and teamwork.

You can be pretty sure that any camp that is accepting campers is at least state-licensed, therefore ensuring a safe experience for your daughter. However, this is where licensing and ACA accreditation differ, as the ACA standards go beyond many state's minimal requirements. Licenses vary from state to state and often focus primarily on food safety and sanitation.

The ACA, meanwhile, has a 50-year history of establishing standards that are nationally developed and accepted by the industry, working to improve all aspects of education and operation. The association itself has been in existence for over 100 years as a community of professionals focused on fostering knowledge and program quality. The ACA's standards are constantly updated to keep up with changing regulations and research, with consultation from organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In order to receive ACA accreditation, a camp must show compliance with any standards that apply to their particular program (e.g. horseback riding, aquatics, etc.), in addition to quality standards in 10 operational management and program areas.

Transportation, staffing and health care are among the categories that are emphasized, and each accredited camp is evaluated at least once every three years to ensure continued compliance.

For camp professionals, accreditation gives them industry-wide guidelines to follow, and many directors have said that the standards are an ideal way to help them best meet their client's needs. Because accreditation is optional, families also benefit from knowing which facilities care enough about quality to satisfy the ACA's requirements, going beyond what is mandated by state regulations.

With up to 300 standards they must measure up to, ACA-accredited girls camps are a great choice for a safe and educational summer experience for your daughter.

About the Author

Stephen Daniels highly recommends Fernwood Cove, one of the top girls camps in the U.S. Located in Harrison, Maine, this ACA-accredited summer camp promotes participation, exploration, growth and self-discovery through outdoor activities and community building.

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