JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp Earns ACA Accreditation!

JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp is proud to announce that we have officially earned ACA-Accredited® Camp status from the American Camp Association (ACA)!

This nationally recognized achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, supportive, inclusive, and high-quality summer camp experience for every child.

Earning ACA accreditation required our camp to complete a comprehensive review of our operations, including an on-site evaluation by trained external reviewers. This process examined our policies, procedures, staff qualifications, safety practices, and daily programming to ensure we meet nationally recognized standards for camp operations.

What Does ACA Accreditation Mean for Your Family?

As camp professionals, we understand that nothing is more important to parents than the safety and well-being of their children. We also recognize that summer camp is about much more than having fun. It is an opportunity for children to build friendships, develop independence, gain confidence, learn new skills, and create lasting memories.

These are the same goals that guide everything we do at JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp.

By voluntarily pursuing ACA accreditation, we have taken an additional step to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, staff training, programming, and overall camp operations.

Our goal is simple: to provide an environment where children can enjoy everything camp has to offer while families feel confident in the care and experiences we provide.

What Is the American Camp Association?

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a national organization that has supported the camp industry for more than 100 years, helping camps provide safe, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate experiences for children.

ACA is the only recognized accrediting body for the camp experience in the United States, accrediting approximately 2,400 camps nationwide.

Through research-informed standards, professional development, and external evaluations, ACA helps camps strengthen their operations and continuously improve the experiences they provide.

What Does the Accreditation Process Review?

ACA accreditation is not simply a camp stating that it follows safety standards. It involves a detailed external review to verify that a camp meets the standards applicable to its programs.

At JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp, this process included an evaluation of several key areas:

• Staff Qualifications, Training, and Supervision: Ensuring our counselors and leadership team are appropriately screened, trained, and supported.
• Camper Health and Wellness: Reviewing health procedures, first aid, and practices that support camper well-being.
• Emergency Preparedness: Evaluating emergency response plans, staff training, drills, and communication procedures.
• Program Safety: Reviewing the planning, supervision, and safety of camp activities, including swimming, sports, and specialty programming.
• Transportation and Facilities: Evaluating transportation procedures, facility operations, and daily safety practices.
• Camp Management and Operations: Reviewing the policies and systems that support a safe, organized, and consistent camp experience.

We Set Our Standards High

At JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp, safety and quality are part of everything we do, even when campers may not realize how much planning goes into their day.

From staff training before the summer begins to the supervision of daily activities, our team works to create an environment where children can focus on having fun, making friends, exploring new interests, and growing as individuals.

Our camp, located at Fort Hamilton Army Base in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, serves children ages 4–14 and offers a wide range of activities, including daily swimming, sports, creative arts, and specialty programs.

We also operate the JCC Brooklyn Camp for Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision, providing individualized support and adaptive activities that allow children with visual impairments to participate in meaningful camp experiences alongside their peers.

Earning ACA accreditation is an important milestone, but maintaining high standards and continuously improving our programs remains an ongoing priority.

Frequently Asked Questions About ACA Accreditation

What is the difference between New York State camp regulations and ACA accreditation?

State and local camp licensing and permit requirements are mandatory where applicable. ACA accreditation is voluntary and involves an additional review against nationally recognized standards. Accreditation demonstrates a camp’s commitment to meeting standards that extend across multiple areas of camp operations.

Does ACA accreditation include staff background checks?

Yes. ACA standards require annual criminal background checks for seasonal staff, criminal background checks at least once every three years for year-round staff, and annual checks of the National Sex Offender Public Website.

How often are camps reviewed?

ACA-accredited camps participate in an ongoing accreditation process that includes regular on-site visits by trained external reviewers to evaluate compliance with applicable standards.

Does accreditation mean a camp is completely risk-free?

No camp experience is entirely free of risk. ACA accreditation demonstrates that a camp has voluntarily undergone an external review of its health, safety, and operational practices against nationally recognized standards.

What This Means for You and Your Child

For our families, ACA accreditation provides an additional level of confidence in the camp experience we work hard to deliver every summer.

It reflects our commitment to providing qualified staff, thoughtful programming, appropriate safety procedures, and an environment where children of all backgrounds and abilities feel welcome, supported, and encouraged to grow.

We are proud to have earned this recognition and look forward to continuing to provide the safe, enriching, and memorable summer experiences that JCC Brooklyn families have come to expect.

For more information about ACA accreditation, visit www.ACAcamps.org.