Membership & Accreditation

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a nonprofit organization made up of camp professionals dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the quality of the summer camp experience.

The main purpose of the ACA Accreditation program is to educate camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff. The ACA collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at a camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. The standards establish guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices.

The second purpose of ACA Accreditation is to assist the public in selecting camps that meet the industry-accepted and government recognized standards. Displaying the ACA Accreditation logo shows prospective families that a camp is being held to the highest nationally recognized standards.

The ACA, NY & NJ connects with parents throughout the year about the importance of the Accreditation process and the standards that camps comply with in order to become accredited. Promoting the value of Accreditation helps families truly understand the commitment that accredited camps have made to their community. ACA Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to safety and program quality.

Start the Accreditation Process

Start your Accreditation process by becoming an ACA Affiliated Camp.  Apply for camp membership → 

For additional information about the steps to becoming accredited as well as details about the areas covered by ACA standards, take a look at our Tell Me More document.