American Camp Association (ACA)

Nor’wester is proud to be accredited by the ACA. The following are excerpts from the ACA website that describe the value of this accreditation:

ACA Mission: The mission of the American Camp Association is enriching the lives of children, youth and adults through the camp experience.

Members of ACA have for decades been giving children and adults quality opportunities to learn powerful lessons in community, leadership, character-building, skill development, and healthy living.

The ACA believes:

  • Camp professionals care about the successful development of children.
  • Camp is for everyone – all interests, ages, abilities, budgets, and personal schedules.
  • Camp offers a supervised, positive environment in the outdoors where kids can laugh and grow within a set of controlled boundaries.
  • Camp is more than a place; it is an experience that gives kids a world of good.
  • Camp experiences provide opportunities to develop key life skills: responsibility, cooperation, courage, and self-esteem.

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. The standards establish guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices. The camp, then, is responsible for ongoing implementation of these policies.

The second purpose of ACA accreditation is to assist the public in selecting camps that meet industry-accepted and government-recognized standards.

Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC)

Nor’wester was inducted as a member of WAIC in November 2015.

WAIC is a wonderful organization of independent camps (not affiliated with a larger agency – ie. YMCA, Girl Scouts, religious groups) that inspires our collective work in the realm of camping.

The following are excerpts from the WAIC website that describe the value of affiliation:

WAIC Mission: To inspire and support our members to promote excellence and enduring success of independent camps. To this end, we will obtain and maintain a membership of at least 50 camps.

WAIC believes in:

  • Enriching the Lives of Children
  • The Value of the Organized Camping Experience
  • Integrity – Honesty, Ethical Conduct, Trust
  • Collaboration – The more children in camp, the better our world
  • Professionalism – Quality, Excellence, Best Practices
  • Sustainability – Responsibly building businesses to last
  • Having Fun

US Sailing

Nor’wester has held and organizational membership with US Sailing for many years. This affiliation provides resources and support for our sailing program at camp.

The following are excerpts from the US Sailing website that describe the value of affiliation:

US Sailing Mission: Provide leadership, integrity and advancement for the sport of sailing. US Sailing Vision: Be the recognized leader in training and certification, in support for the racing sailor and in facilitating access to sailing.

Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)

Nor’wester is proud to now be an organizational member of ACCT. Our Challenge Course and Climbing Wall are inspected yearly by ACCT approved inspectors and our Ropes and Climbing Staff are trained according to ACCT standards. The following are excerpts from the ACCT website that describe the value of affiliation:

ACCT Mission: The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) establishes and promotes the standard of care and measure of excellence that defines professional practice and effective challenge course programs. ACCT develops, refines, and publishes standards for Installing, maintaining, and managing challenge courses; provides forums for education and professional development; and advocates for the challenge course and adventure industry.

ACCT Vision: The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) is the undisputed industry leader, advancing the industry and enabling members' on-going success.

Statement of Values:

  • Safety – ACCT promotes a culture of safety for members, their clients, and the industry overall.
  • Fun – ACCT fosters fun, a key element of experiential learning, recreation, and adventure.
  • Integrity – ACCT holds integrity as a key value; ethical, responsible behavior is essential for its success.
  • Leadership – ACCT leads to achieve the best outcomes for members, stakeholders, and the industry.
  • Quality – ACCT seeks quality in all it does.
  • Professionalism – ACCT is professional in its activities and dealings, and represents its members as professionals.

ACCT is the leading trade association for those working with and on behalf of the challenge course industry. ACCT assembles thought leaders, builders, practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders and sets minimum standards for developing and running challenge course programs.