Standards

Since the Ontario Camps Association's founding in 1937, OCA Standards have offered camps in Ontario a benchmark for sound camp operation and administration. Throughout the years, OCA members have reviewed and revised the standards; today, these standards cover almost every aspect of a camp's operation.

You can download the whole document by clicking here - OCA GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITATION


The standards listed in the OCA Guidelines for Accreditation manuals fall into the following categories:

  1. INTRODUCTIONS
    2.  UNDERSTANDING THE GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITATION
    ACCREDITATION OF A CAMP
    CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

  2. CAMP OPERATIONS
    3.  MA MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
    CF CAMPSITE, FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
    HC HEALTHCARE
    FD FOOD SERVICE
    TN TRANSPORTATION



  3. CAMP PROGRAM
    4.  PG PROGRAM GENERAL
    TR TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS

    LAND PROGRAMS
    CC CHALLENGE COURSES
    RD RIDING
    HS HOCKEY SPORTS
    TS TARGET SPORTS
    CS CYCLE SPORTS

    WATER PROGRAMS
    BT BOATING
    SW SWIMMING
    SB SNORKELLING AND SCUBA

Subsections within each of these categories cover specific topics. In Health, for instance, there are sections on Water Supply, Sanitary Facilities, and Food Service. The Programs section covers such activities as swimming, sailing, riflery and climbing. In all, there are over 400 separate standards, although the exact number that each camp must follow depends on whether or not the standard applies to the camp. A camp with no outtripping program does not need to meet the outtripping standards.

Each standard takes the form of a question which an OCA Standards Visitor asks the camp director during an OCA Standards Visit. Examples of these standards include:

  • Does the camp have at least one of the following on-site full time: a licensed physician; a currently registered nurse; a certified first aider?
  • Does the camp menu follow Canada's Food Guide?
  • Do sleeping quarters, other than tents, where no beds are provided, have a minimum of 3.72 square metres (40 square feet) for each occupant?
  • Does the camp's waterfront director have four years of experience?
  • Is each water ski boat manned by at least two people?
  • Does the camp have comprehensive liability insurance?

As you can see, the standards questions are very specific. Each of the standards listed above is a major standard - these are considered to be the most important for the camp's safe and efficient operation. To receive or maintain its OCA accreditation, a camp must meet all of the major applicable standards, and 90% of all applicable standards.

The OCA Board of Directors recently struck a permanent Standards Review Committee, which will regularly review, update, and improve OCA Guidelines for Accreditation.