Pine Tree Camp is proud to be Maine’s only American Camp Association accredited camp providing services exclusively for people with disabilities. ACA Accreditation serves as an assurance to families that our camp cares enough to submit to a transparent, thorough review of our entire operation. Our voluntary participation in the professional development and accreditation process of the American Camp Association demonstrates our commitment to providing the best possible camp experience. That means that Pine Tree Camp has successfully completed the peer-review process, which includes a visit by an ACA-trained team of standards volunteers, signifying that we meet the standards that help ensure that current practices at our camp reflect the highest and most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.
We Set Our Standards High
Earning and maintaining ACA accreditation takes time and commitment. We set our standards high, in an effort to provide our campers with an environment where they are having fun and are unaware of all of the work related to safety and learning, which has been carefully incorporated into the daily routine.
ACA-Accredited® Camps meet up to 300 health and safety standards. Accreditation is a family’s best evidence that Pine Tree Camp is committed to the health, safety, and overall well-being of their loved one.
To be accredited by ACA, we had to demonstrate sound practices in every aspect of camp management and operation, including:
- Site: Fire protection, food service, sleeping quarters, utility and maintenance systems.
- Transportation: Procedures concerning drivers, vehicles, and traffic on site.
- Health and Wellness: Staff qualifications, facilities requirements, record keeping, storage and distribution of medicines, contact information, and health forms.
- Operational Management: Safety regulations, emergency communication systems, procedures for intruders, and personal property regulations.
- Human Resources: Staff qualifications, screening and training, supervision ratios, and procedures.
- Program Activities: Aquatics, adventure/challenge, and staff qualifications for special programs.
Mandatory standards also include requirements for staff screening, emergency exits, first aid, aquatic-certified personnel, storage and use of flammables, emergency transportation, obtaining appropriate health information, among others.
The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals, who, for more than 100 years, have joined together to share knowledge and experience to ensure high quality camp programs for children, youth and adults. As the only recognized accrediting body for the camp experience in the United States, ACA accredits approximately 2,400+ diverse camps nationally. However, that number represents only 25% of the camps that operate in this country. ACA’s goal is to continue to grow the number of accredited camps to ensure a safe and positive camp experience for more campers.
For more information about ACA Accreditation, visit the American Camp Association website at www.ACACamps.org.
