American Camp Association ® Instructor Update Course Fall 2014

American Camp Association®

Instructor Update Course

Fall 2014

Course Objectives

• Learn “what’s new” that impacts Standards Courses

• Learn of recent revisions to the standards • Overview of the 2014 courses highlighting

“What’s New/Different”• Refresh skills• Share concerns

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Main Purpose of ACA Accreditation

• Director’s best evidence• Establishes guidelines • Industry-accepted and government-

recognized standards• Voluntary

• Educational in nature and design.

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Solid Proof

of Your

• Commitment• Accountability• Credibility

ACA Accreditation Is…

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You have established a standard of care –

using prudence.

ACA Accreditation Means…

pru·dence noun \ˈprü-dən(t)s\ : careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks. Full definition:1. The ability to govern and discipline oneself by the

use of reason 2. Sagacity or shrewdness in the management of

affairs 3. Skill and good judgment in the use of resources 4. Caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

Prudence

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What’s New and Different in 2012

2014 Revisions to the Standards

• It is ACA’s responsibility to notify you of revisions

• It is your responsibility to have the updates• Revisions will be in effect starting with the

2015 visit season• Three ways to update your current book– Download updates from website –My Accreditation– Request a printed packet

Updates to APG

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Revisions:Health & Wellness Standards

• HW.5 – Camper Health History• HW.14 – Special Medical Needs• HW.19 – Medication Storage and Administration• HW.24 – Health Screening

Revisions include:• Clarification and/or addition to

Contextual Education• No change to intent of these

standards

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Revisions:Operational Management Standards

• OM.6 – Firearms Control• OM.8 – Emergency Plan and Rehearsal• OM.13 – Camper Security

Revisions include:• Clarification and/or addition to Contextual Education• No change to intent of these standards

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PD.25 – Archery Safety• ALL parts of standard

(PD.25.1, PD.25.2, and PD.25.3) are now MANDATORY

• PD.25.3 archery equipment must be locked when stored

Revisions:Program Design & Activity Standards

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PD.26 – Riflery Safety• ALL parts of standard (PD.26.1, PD.26.2, and

PD.26.3) are now MANDATORY

Revisions:Program Design & Activity Standards

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HR.3 -- Hiring Policies • HR3.3 is now

MANDATORY and • Requires year-round

camp staff have a criminal background check at least every five years

Revisions:Human Resources Standards

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HR.4 – Annual Staff Screening• HR.4.3 has been added, which

requires ANNUAL criminal background checks for seasonal staff (returning seasonal staff) MANDATORY

• Now applies to Camps that Rent to Others mode

Revisions:Human Resources Standards

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• HR.5 – New Staff Screening – Now applies to Camps that Rent to Others mode

• HR.9 – Supervision Ratios Exceptions– Now includes need to advise rental groups

• HR.15 – Camp Staff Responsibilities for General Camp Activities – Clarification added for when it applies to rental

groups

Revisions:Human Resources Standards

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Finding APG Updates and Revisions

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• Included in all new APG books from ACA and/or bookstore

• Pull and replace pages can be found on Accreditation Resources and Tools page of the ACA website

• Generate a custom set of standards from My Accreditation (camps) or My Visits PDF version (visitors)

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The Courses

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For ALL Standards CourseInstructor Do’s• Be prepared• Change the order of modules• When you see [animation] pay attention• REVIEW the presentation as a “slide show”

prior to teaching (each time)• Know and be familiar with your content• Engage the audience!

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Standard Format — Margin Notes

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Mandatory Indicator

Written Documentation Required Indicator

DNA Indicator

Modes of Operation

Sample slide with many [animations]

that all need to come in “on cue”

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?

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Standards Course

• For those NEW to the ACA Accreditation process

• Required to be completed prior to the visit • 5 to 6 hours in length – Earn 6 ACA Continuing Education Credits

• Purpose is to prepare individuals from camps for their accreditation visits

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Standards Update Course

• For those “experienced” individuals• About 1.5 hours in length – Earn 1.5 ACA Continuing Education Credits

• Purpose - to update currently trained individuals on changes in standards and procedures as a result of a standards revision

• Learn from others “mistakes”

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Standards Update Includes…• Overview of revisions• Accreditation Timeline • Importance of the Camp

Information Form• Review of the Camp Self-

Assessment• ICAs and 72 Hour Rule• Visit reminders and

review

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Visitor Update Course

• Required for all current visitors• 1 to 1.5 hours in length – Earn 1.5 ACA Continuing Education Credits

• Purpose is to serve as a refresher for all associate visitors and visitors

• Highlights changes to the standards • Addresses issues and concerns

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Visitor Update Includes…• Standards Revisions• Camp Information Form• Camp Self-Assessment• ICA and 72 Hour Rule• Importance of Visitor

Communication • Overview of the Visit

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Visitor Update Also Includes…

• Conflict of Interest• Confidentiality• Commitment• Complaints

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Associate Visitor Course

• Also being updated/revised

• Includes pieces from the Visitor Update Course – Roles and Expectations

• Will have online course pre-requisite element

• 10-12 hours

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Resources and Reminders

My Accreditation

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Visit www.acacamps.org/accreditation/resources-tools To go to the My Accreditation page

My Accreditation

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My Accreditation

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My Visits

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Custom Reports

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Add your email address

• Educational resource• No assurance of a successful outcome• Use your own professional judgment in

determining applicability• The camp is responsible for any and all

standards that apply to your program, regardless of results of customization efforts.

Customization Tools Reminders

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1. Go to the Accreditation Resource/Tools page on the ACA website

2. Choose the app you want and go to its information page

3. Watch the tutorials then launch the app

4. Check the information we have for you and/or your camp – UPDATE if necessary

5. Log-in and get started

Accessing My Accreditation and My Visits

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Camp Information Form

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Camp Self-Assessment

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Missed Mandatory Standards

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Critical to the health

and safety of campers, staff, and

participants

Immediate Corrective Action (ICA)

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ICA MUST be taken for any and all missed mandatory standards.

Activity must be stopped until camp is in compliance with standard. Visitors will determine compliance and inform director of required correction(s).

ALL documentation is sent to ACA, Inc.

Camp has ten days to submit proof of immediate compliance with the standard.

ICA

The 72-Hour Rule

Very different from the ICA process.

A courtesy that may be extended at the VISITOR’S

discretion.

May ONLY be used for standards that require written

documentation that can be verified to already be in existence.

For some reason the documents are not present at the time of the visit.

72-Hour Rule

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Scoring

• Verify written documentation exists• If written documentation is not complete, the

standard must be scored as a “NO” Camp staff cannot complete and/or update written

documentation on the day of the visit. • All standards scored “NO” must have a written

comment.

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Scoring• Check and re-check the score form• Follow the score form instructions that came

with your visitor packet• Visitors cannot keep copies of score forms –

camp should NOT make a copy of the first page• Make sure all signatures are obtained• Legible (and accurate) emails and phone #s are

critical!

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Course Logistics and Tips

• All course materials posted on Volunteer Instructors webpage www.acacamps.org/volunteers/standardsinstructors – Includes Volunteer reimbursement form (DNA to

NY/NJ, New England, and Illinois offices)• Submit course roster to the appropriate staff

member• Download PDF of course(s) to your tablet• Download the PDF of APG (completely updated)

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Course Logistics and Tips

• Goal is to have all participants attending a Standards Course have their APG PRIOR to the course!

• Some loaner APGs will be available (check with support staff)

• Typically the printing of hand-outs will be done by staff – double check

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Visit Timeline

Train new visitors Standards Courses for Directors

Camp visit assignments

Self-assessments and visits scheduled

Self-Assessment takes place (before

camp opens)Visit OccursScore Forms sent to

ACA, Inc.Camps are notified

of scores below 80%

Camp requests Review

Review process occurs

Local leadership votes to approve

camps

Camps notified of scores

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QUESTIONS?? CONCERNS??

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Contact Us

American Camp Association5000 State Road 67 NorthMartinsville, IN 46151Phone: 765-342-8456Toll Free: 800-428-2267Fax: 765-342-2065E-mail: accreditation@acacamps.org

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