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accredited los angeles summer camps

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?  

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.

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.

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.  ​

How Do You Know if a Camp Is Accredited?

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.

American Camp Assocation Accredited Camp Logo
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.

Camp Name
Camp Type
Program Focus
Accredited Camp
Aloha Beach Camp
Day camp
Beach and surf camp
Yes
Aqua Surf Camp
Day camp
Surf camp
No
Cali Camp​
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes
Camp Alonim
Overnight camp
Jewish Camp
Yes
​Camp Calabasas
Day camp
Traditional camp
No
​Camp Funtime
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes
​​Camp Gan Isreal of Beverly Hills/Los Angeles
Day camp
Jewish camp
No
Camp Keystone
Day camp
Traditional Camp
Yes
Camp Kinneret
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes
Camp Surf
Day camp
Surf camp
No
Camp Summertime
Day camp
Traditional Camp
Yes
Camp Turtlerock
Day Camp
Traditional Camp
No
Camp Wise L.A.
Day Camp
Traditional Camp
No
Camp Woodsey
Overnight Camp
Traditional Camp
No
Canyon Creek Summer Camp
Overnight Camp
Sports Camp
Yes
Catalina Island Camps
Overnight Camp
Traditional Camp
Yes
Cheer Mania
Day Camp
Cheerleading Camp
No
​Code Rev Kids Camp
Day Camp
STEM Camp
No
Fitness by the Sea
Day camp
Beach camp
No
​Fun Under The Sun
Day camp
Traditional camp
No
​Funky Divas and Dudes
Day Camp
Performing Arts Camp
No
Got Game Camp
Day Camp
Sports Camp
No
ID Tech Camps
Day and Overnight Camp
STEM Camp
No
Kids On Stage
Day camp
Performing Arts Camp
No
​​​Latitude Dance Camp
Day Camp
Dance Camp
No
Lavner Camps and Programs
Day and Overnight Camp
Computer Camp
No
Learn to Surf L.A.
Day camp
Surf camp
No
Malibu Makos
Day camp
Surf camp
No
​Phoenix Ranch Day Camp
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes
Planet Bravo
Day Camp
Tech Camp
No
Saken Sports Camp
Day camp
Sports camp
No
Sandy Days Kids Camp
Day Camp
Beach Camp
No
Sierra Canyon Day Camp
Day Camp
Traditional Camp
Yes
​​​Sports Plus Day Camp
Day camp
Sports camp
No
Summer Art Academy
Day Camp
Art Camp
No
Summer at Village School
Day Camp
Traditional Camp
Yes
​Tocaloma Summer Day Camp
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes
Tumbleweed Day Camp
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes
Valley Trails Summer Camp​
Day camp
Traditional camp
Yes

Attend the L.A. Camp Fair and Discover Dozens of Accredited Camp Opportunities

Large colorful banner promoting L.A. Camp Fair 2023 and its two events and locations at UCLA and Calasbas. at Pauley Pavilion at UCLA and AC Stelle Middle School in Calabasas.
The L.A. Camp Fair is greater Los Angeles' biggest and best summer camp expo spanning two different event dates and locations in March 2023 including UCLA and Calabasas.

The Camp Fair in Calabasas takes place Saturday, March 11 at AC Stelle Middle School. The Camp Fair at UCLA takes place Sunday, March 12 in Pauley Pavilion at UCLA. Approximately 60 camps will be exhibiting their programs at each event.


Many of the camp exhibitors at the Camp Fairs are accredited programs, 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. Get your free tickets today!
Free L.A. Camp Fair Tickets
Get Discounts, Offers, Deals and Updates from Participating Los Angeles Summer Camps

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In-Person Camp Fair Events
 
L.A. Camp Fair 2025

​L.A. Camp Fair at UCLA

L.A. Camp Fair at Harvard-Westlake

Conejo Valley Camp Fair at Thousand Oaks High School

North Valley Camp Fair at Cal State Northridge

West Valley Camp Fair at Chaminade College Prep High School

L.A. Camp Fair at Crossroads School

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  • Home
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
  • Find a Camp
    • Los Angeles Day Camps
    • Los Angeles Sleepaway Camps
    • Los Angeles Specialty Camps
    • Los Angeles Sports Camps
    • Complete Camp Directory
  • Camp Fairs
    • UCLA
    • Harvard-Westlake
    • Thousand Oaks
    • Costa Mesa
    • Chaminade
    • Crossroads
  • List Your Camp