C O N T A C T
A d v e n t u r e   E v e r y   D a y
A C A   A C C R E D I T A T I O N
Camp Y-Owasco is Accredited by the American Camp Association
What is ACA Accreditation?
The American Camp Assocation is a private not-for-profit organization that evaluates camps to see if they meet up to 300 camping-industry standards in the areas of Site and Food Service, Transportation, Health and Wellness, Operational Management, Human Resources, Program Design and Activities, Aquatics Programming, Adventure-Challenge Programming, Horse Programming, and Trip and Travel Programming.  The standards cover everything from safety and sanitation to staff training and program quality. 
Why is Accrediation Important?
There's a lot that goes into a running a summer camp, and there's a lot more that goes into a running a summer camp well.  If a camp displays the logo above, parents immediately can know that what the camp says in its marketing materials ("Safety First, Quality Staff, Skill Progression," etc) really is true because they've been through the accreditation process, which ensures that they've scrutinized every area of camp operation.  Furthermore, accredited camps have asked an independent agency to review their operations and verify that what they say they are doing really is happening.  
Don't All Camps Have This? 
No, all camps are not ACA accredited!  Becoming accredited is voluntary!  Unlike state licensing, which is mandatory in New York, accreditation requires the camp to pour substantial time, energy, and financial resources into achieving and maintaining the accredited status.  Accreditation is a sign that the camp is willing to go the extra miles to ensure that the camp is safe, the staff is well-trained, the programming is excellent.  State licensing ensures the camp meets MINIMUM safety requirements.  ACA goes much further.  If a camp you are looking at sending your child to is not ACA accredited, it is a fair question to ask the camp director why they have not chosen to pursue accreditation.  They might have a good reason, and they might not. 
Auburn YMCA-WEIU