Are Accredited Camps the BEST Camps?
When searching for a summer camp, we know many qualities are important to you. If you're like most parents, you're looking for the right combination of safety, professionalism, quality, and fun in a summer program.
Put another way, the one distinctive attribute all parents share is wanting to find the "best" camp for their kids. But how do you find that elusive "best program" -- the one camp you can trust the most and your kids will be so excited about?
Put another way, the one distinctive attribute all parents share is wanting to find the "best" camp for their kids. But how do you find that elusive "best program" -- the one camp you can trust the most and your kids will be so excited about?
Well, one option is to rely on claims camps make about themselves on their websites and promotional materials. Many programs toot their own horns describing themselves with superlatives like "We're L.A.'s best camp" or "L.A.'s premier summer program."
Naturally, there's a few problems with camps making claims like this.
First, being the "best" of anything means different things to different people. It's subjective -- an opinion -- and we believe any decision or opinion as to whether a camp is the best should be left to you, not the camp to make that determination it for you. In other words, only until your child experiences a program first-hand can you can decide for yourself whether a certain camp is the "best " or not.
The other problem with buying into a claim such as, "our camp is the best" is the credibility factor. Let's be honest, it's not too believable when a camp (or any organization for that matter) tells you they're the best. Again, that's for you to decide, not them.
Naturally, there's a few problems with camps making claims like this.
First, being the "best" of anything means different things to different people. It's subjective -- an opinion -- and we believe any decision or opinion as to whether a camp is the best should be left to you, not the camp to make that determination it for you. In other words, only until your child experiences a program first-hand can you can decide for yourself whether a certain camp is the "best " or not.
The other problem with buying into a claim such as, "our camp is the best" is the credibility factor. Let's be honest, it's not too believable when a camp (or any organization for that matter) tells you they're the best. Again, that's for you to decide, not them.
Accredited Camps are the Most Credible Camps
Let's revisit the issues of credibility and trust. In our view, the number one way to be certain you're choosing a legitimate program is to know the camp meets certain minimum standards of quality and professionalism. Further, those standards should be verified by an independent third party so you can have peace of mind you're picking an above-board program. When the camp itself is bragging about its own quality, that won't cut it.
This is the reason we suggest choosing an American Camp Association accredited camp. The American Camp Association is the only national body that audits, evaluates, and accredits camps that earn it.
Becoming accredited is an not an easy process. Among the 12,000 camps in the United States, only 2,400 have earned accreditation.
This is the reason we suggest choosing an American Camp Association accredited camp. The American Camp Association is the only national body that audits, evaluates, and accredits camps that earn it.
Becoming accredited is an not an easy process. Among the 12,000 camps in the United States, only 2,400 have earned accreditation.
When you pick an accredited summer camp, you're getting a "stamp of approval" from an independent third party that the camp meets or exceeds common standards of legitimacy we believe all camps should adhere to. Becoming accredited is a voluntary process, not mandatory, which means each camp must decide for itself whether going through the stringent process is right for them. The issue is not that unaccredited camps are necessarily bad camps, it's that accredited camps have been monitored, assessed, and evaluated favorably by an authoritative independent third party ... the American Camp Association.
To earn accreditation, camps must prove their compliance with over 300 best-practice, government-recognized, and industry-approved standards relative to a wide range of key components of camp operation. American Camp Association officials conduct on-site visits, audits and observations to ensure such compliance. Some of the standards camps must prove their compliance with relate to the health and well-being of campers and staff, program and activity quality, counselor hiring, screening and training practices, safety and emergency plans and preparation, and hundreds more.
To earn accreditation, camps must prove their compliance with over 300 best-practice, government-recognized, and industry-approved standards relative to a wide range of key components of camp operation. American Camp Association officials conduct on-site visits, audits and observations to ensure such compliance. Some of the standards camps must prove their compliance with relate to the health and well-being of campers and staff, program and activity quality, counselor hiring, screening and training practices, safety and emergency plans and preparation, and hundreds more.
How Do You Know if a Camp Is Accredited?
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We always advise parents to verify if a camp they're considering is accredited. You can do that a couple ways.
First, just ask the camp director. If they assure you their camp's accredited, you're in good shape. If they say they're aren't, you should ask the camp director why. |
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Another way to verify camp accreditation is use the free camp search tool on the ACA website. You can filter your camp search using any criteria you want such as by day camp, overnight camp, camp location, etc. Your search results will include information as to whether the camp is accredited or not.
Lastly, we've done lots of the hard work for you! The following list consisting of 40 Los Angeles summer camps with an indicator as to whether they're accredited or not. Please note these camps are listed alphabetically, so please don't assume we're giving preference or endorsing one over another. We're not. If you are interested in any of the the following camps for your child, we have provided links to their websites for your convenience.
Lastly, we've done lots of the hard work for you! The following list consisting of 40 Los Angeles summer camps with an indicator as to whether they're accredited or not. Please note these camps are listed alphabetically, so please don't assume we're giving preference or endorsing one over another. We're not. If you are interested in any of the the following camps for your child, we have provided links to their websites for your convenience.
Camp Name |
Camp Type |
Program Focus |
Accredited Camp |
Day camp |
Beach and surf camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Surf camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
|
Overnight camp |
Jewish Camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Jewish camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Traditional Camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Surf camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Traditional Camp |
Yes |
|
Day Camp |
Traditional Camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Traditional Camp |
No |
|
Camp Woodsey |
Overnight Camp |
Traditional Camp |
No |
Overnight Camp |
Sports Camp |
Yes |
|
Overnight Camp |
Traditional Camp |
Yes |
|
Day Camp |
Cheerleading Camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
STEM Camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Beach camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Performing Arts Camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Sports Camp |
No |
|
Day and Overnight Camp |
STEM Camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Performing Arts Camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Dance Camp |
No |
|
Day and Overnight Camp |
Computer Camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Surf camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Surf camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
|
Day Camp |
Tech Camp |
No |
|
Day camp |
Sports camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Beach Camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Traditional Camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Sports camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Art Camp |
No |
|
Day Camp |
Traditional Camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
|
Day camp |
Traditional camp |
Yes |
Attend the L.A. Camp Fair and Discover Dozens of Accredited Camp Opportunities
The L.A. Camp Fair is greater Los Angeles' biggest and best summer camp expo spanning three different dates and event locations at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in March; Sunday, March 15 in Los Feliz; and Saturday, April 4 in Calabasas. Approximately 60 camps will be exhibiting their programs at each Camp Fair event. Many of the camps will be accredited, so if you're available, don't miss the opportunity to attend one of the upcoming Camp Fair events to meet dozens of camp directors all in one place and learn about their programs in person. Tickets to the Camp Fair are free but going fast, so get your free tickets today!
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