american camp association ® standards instructor course

AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION® STANDARDS INSTRUCTOR COURSE

Purpose of the ACA Accreditation Program

© 2015 American Camping Association, Inc.

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Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education . . .

Purpose of Accreditation


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The main purpose of the ACA Accreditation Program is to EDUCATE camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff.

Course Objectives


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Demonstrate comfort with standards content Establish comfort level with materials Understand learning styles and be able to use

a variety of training styles Demonstrate ability to teach courses Demonstrate ability to evaluate peer/trainee

performance Demonstrate understanding of ACA structure

and accreditation process

© American Camping Association Inc., 20075

Trainer Expectations

Ask for help when needed Know your section of course content Participate as a student Be honest and kind in your peer evaluations Others?

What’s New and Different in 2012

• General changes to the APG• Fall 2015 NSC Decisions

Changes to Standards 2015/2016


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Standard # Change

HR.3.3 Hiring Policies (‘15)

Criminal background check at least every 5 years for year-round staff (MANDATORY)

HR.4.3 Annual Staff Screening (‘15)

Criminal background check ANNUALLY for all seasonal staff (MANDATORY)

HR.8.B 1:1 Camper/staff Interaction (’16)

NEW! Requirement for staff to receiving training trained to minimize 1:1 camper/staff interaction when out of sight of others (MANDATORY)

Changes to Standards 2015/2016


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Standard # Change

PD.25 Archery Safety (‘15)

Added: Equipment must be locked when not in use, all parts MANDATORY

PD.26 Rifle, Pellet & Air Gun Safety (‘15)

All parts now MANDATORY

PD.29.3 Protective Headwear (‘15)

DNA for helmet use on manufactured (man-made) climbing wall when an auto-belay system is used.

APG Changes to Standards and DNAs*


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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 2016

visit season Two ways to update your current book

Download updates from website www.acacamps.org/accreditation/resources-tools

My Accreditation

*Always check the Accreditation Resources/Tools page

National Standards Commission Decision

Any camp that misses four or more mandatory standards will be required to have a complete visit the following summer (even if the ICA is accepted).

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National Standards Commission Decision

When new/revised standards are introduced, camps must come into compliance with the addition /changes the next season. CHANGE: In the past it was only mandatory standards that must be met immediately

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Cannot Rely on Old or Inherited Documents


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CHECK FOR CHANGES

Some things are DIFFERENT!You’ll need to prepare.

Camp Information FormCamp Self-AssessmentVisitICA72- Hour Rule

“KEY” Elements to Accreditation13


© 2015 American Camping Association, Inc.14

A tool created to assist both the camp designee and the visitor. It includes significant information about the camp.

Used by Visitor

Is a valuable part of visit process

Camp Self-Assessment


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A camp self-assessment is a required review of the written documentation for twenty pre-identified standards and must be completed prior to the start of staff training for the summer season. Your local office might require an earlier completion date.

The Camp Self-Assessment (CSA)


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Locating the Camp Self-Assessment Form


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•Must be completed prior to the start of staff training or May 1st • Local office might deny a visit if not completed

May 1

ICA Process72-Hour RuleWritten Documentation (Brief)Scoring RemindersScore Form Activity

Compliance Decisions Refresher20


Missed Mandatory Standards


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Mandatory standards are critical to the health and safety of campers and staff and ACA requires immediate compliance with these.

Immediate Corrective Action (ICA)


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Sample Form

~ImmediateCorrective

Action (ICA)Notification


The 72-Hour Rule


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Written Documentation


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Criteria• Pertinence

• Currency

• Dissemination

• Inclusiveness

• Location

• Communication

• Practiced or Rehearsed

Documented Training and Documented Endorsement


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PD.12 Supervisor QualificationsNeeds to be FROM A THIRD PARTY or at very least VERIFIABLE and can include:

• Job reviews from former employers• Job performance review from the camp• Letters of recommendation• Course record sheet• Certification or training cards•Detailed list of experiences – if/when NOTHING

else is available

Documented Training and Documented Endorsement


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PD.14.1 Horseback Riding Supervisor QualificationsRequires current certification OR documented endorsement which may include:

• A letter of reference from former employers, students, or co-workers• Brochures or advertisements announcing programs

where the individual is listed as instructor

Scoring Reminders


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Score the Standard!

Scoring Reminders


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• 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.

WHAT ARE THE SCORING ERRORS?

An ActivityHow many can you find?

PPT slide deck ACA Volunteer Instructor PagesMy AccreditationMy VisitsResources by Section of Standards

Using Resources31


Supporting Course Instruction with Technology and Media


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Instructors will receive from ACAPowerPoint slide deck for each course PDF of PowerPoint notes version includes pertinent content and Training Map.ACA Volunteer Instructor web pages (curricula)Trainer demonstration access to My Accreditation and My Visits pages (if Internet is available)

My Accreditation- Web tool


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Customize a set of standards Upload documents for visitor to review Indicate perceived compliance with standards Make notes and comments Generate custom reports and checklists

My VisitsUsed when assigned camp uses web tools

Used when assigned camps have chosen to use My Accreditation

Convey your availability to local office – for visit assignments

Review visit assignments information Review assigned camp’s customizations and

documentation (provided they opt to use tools) Make comments to assist camp with readiness Generate custom checklists and/or set

of standards for assigned camp.

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My Accreditation and My Visits Basic Access


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Step 1. Camps go to main accreditation resources and tools page to access My Accreditation and/or My Visits

Step 2. Click on “My Visits” or “My Accreditation.” Take the TUTORIAL.

Step 3. Log in as yourself (ACA member number and password).

Step 4. Complete the Camp Intake Questionnaire (in “My Accreditation” section) or Complete Visitor Information (in “My Visits” section).

Step 5. Review the document produced and proceed as necessary to customize.

Step 6. Print out the filtered/customized list of standards for your program or list of camps to be visited and pertinent info.

Customization Tools Reminders

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

determining applicability You are responsible for any and all standards that

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


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Types of Learning /StylesTraining StylesDelivery V. RetentionActivity

Adult Learning (review online pre-course work)37


Three Types of Learning


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Knowledge Skills Influencing

All 3 are crucial to the success of the training

Three Learning Styles

VisualAuditoryKinesthetic

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Training StylesTask

ProcessContent

People

“The brain remembers best what is taught first, second best what is taught last, and least what is taught in the

middle.” ~David Sousa


Twenty-minute learning segments

are ideal


Delivery Style v. RetentionDelivery of Information Retention Rate after

24 Hours

Lecture 5%

Reading 10%

Audio Visual 20%

Demonstration 30%

Discussion Groups 50%

Practice by Doing 75%

Teaching Others 90%

© 2015 American Camping Association Inc.,

Reflection on Training Styles (from online pre-course content)

What are your training style preferences? Are you balanced in your use of all 4 dimensions? What areas might you need more attention? What insights have you gained by thinking through

this context? What can you do differently as a result of the

knowledge you have learned? How can we work more effectively (with each other)

as training teams knowing this information?

Evaluation of PeersSelf-AssessmentTrainer Review of Candidates

Assessing Learning45


Evaluation of Peers: Assessing Others

Be objective Be honest and tactful Be constructive Develop your skills for future AV candidate

assessment You will complete written evaluations for each of

your peers. You will participate in verbal feedback as well as

the written for each lesson taught.© 2015 American Camping Association, Inc.

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Possible Outcomes of Instructor Course

At completion of this course you may be designated:Associate InstructorInstructorNeither


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Directed Study and/or Practice Teaching


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Role of the Instructor

Review Job Description Assessing others Resource Scavenger Hunt


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SAM

Standards Administration Manual Found on the Standards Chair volunteer web page Feel free to download a copy of document for your

reference Importance of Training Reports


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Where do Standards Come from?

Feedback from local areas via Standards Chairs, visitors, and camp directors

Environmental scans of activities and other youth serving organizations

Online discussions National Standards Commission ACA Board of Director

Purpose of the ACA Accreditation Program


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Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education, Education Education, Education . . .


Wrap-Up

Resources Toolkit Altering a Course – only in order of teaching. NOT

CONTENT! Evaluate the course

American Camp Association®New Instructor Course


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american camp association ® standards instructor course

Documents

american camping association

education education

mandatory standards

purpose of accreditation

aca accreditation program

accreditation process

parts mandatory

seasonal staff mandatoryhr