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American Camp Association (ACA)

The American Camp Association is the only independent accrediting body for camps in the US, evaluating programs against up to 300 health, safety, and program quality standards. Over 3,600 camps hold ACA accreditation, and their Find a Camp tool helps families search by type, location, and budget.

Founded 1910Martinsville, IN
🏕️ Summer Camps

Services & Programs

Cost Information

Searching ACA's camp directory is free. Camp costs vary enormously - from free day camps to $2,000+ per week for specialty overnight camps. ACA's search tool lets you filter by price range.

Parent Tip

ACA accreditation is the most important quality indicator when choosing a camp. Accredited camps are inspected every 3-5 years on up to 300 standards covering safety, staffing, transportation, and emergency procedures. Always ask if a camp is ACA-accredited before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ACA accreditation involve?
ACA-accredited camps voluntarily undergo an extensive review process covering up to 300 standards in areas including health care, safety, transportation, staffing ratios, emergency plans, and program quality. Camps are visited and reviewed every 3-5 years.
Are non-accredited camps unsafe?
Not necessarily, but accreditation provides an independent verification of safety and quality standards. Non-accredited camps may still be excellent, but you will need to do more research on their safety practices yourself.

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