American Camp Association | Summer camps enrich children's lives!

Camp is just around the corner, and you’ve still got to pack! You might be a pro at packing for camp, but there are always a few things you might forget. That's why The Clorox Company is partnering with the ACA to bring you a simple list of great suggestions for what counselors and staff should make sure is on their packing list this summer. Take a look – it just might save you from leaving something really important off your list!

The Clorox Company

Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry,  the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools,  and innovative programming ideas. The July/August 2010 issue features articles that address programming, history, 20/20 Toolbox, and more.

Children and youth need a community that:  encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.

A Voice for Excellence

ACA's Because of Camp…™ outdoor advertising campaign officially launched in early January. Since that time, orders have been arriving daily for billboards, posters, and transit shelters. Several orders have been placed already, and are being shipped to vendors nationwide. Visit ACA's Say It Big Web page to view a map of advertising placements as they are confirmed.

Preserving the rich history of the camp experience is essential for the future. The American Camp Association (ACA) is proud to celebrate our 100th Anniversary in 2010 and the 150th Anniversary of Organized Camping in 2011, and to honor our past with this Web-based tribute.

Celebrate ACA's 100th Anniversary

Find a Camp

Looking for a summer camp? Search over 2,400 ACA-Accredited camps.

Find a Job

Find the perfect summer or year-round camp job. Need Staff? Check Out ACA’s Staff Recruitment Solutions!

Join ACA

Join today and be an integral part of an evolving, versatile, and vibrant organization of people with knowledge to share.


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 Printable Version
Aquatic Recognized Certifications
(Revised March 2010)

Below are certifications that meet specified ACA standards, based on recommendations from the certifying bodies. This list will be updated several times each year. To determine if courses or certifications not listed meet standards requirements, e-mail the standards department at the ACA national office.

At this time, the American Camp Association requires that any aquatic, first aid, and CPR certification must include, at minimum, 50% of course time to include in-person instruction, hands-on practice, and skills assessment under the direct supervision of a certified instructor from one of the organizations listed below. It is acceptable to have a portion of the course be completed online (course readings, etc.).

*PA-14 Swim Lifeguard Qualifications MANDATORY (also *PA-30, *PT-2)

Special Facilities Lifeguard, Pool Lifeguard
Lifeguarding
Lifeguard
Lifeguard
National Lifeguard Service Award, National Beach Lifeguard, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, National Open Water Lifeguard
National Pool Lifeguard
Certificate II In Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) - Bronze Medallion
Lifeguard
Lifeguard
Surf Rescue
Safety Training and Aquatic Rescue, Starguard Professional Lifeguard
Lifeguard
Rescue Swimmer

*PA-18 SCUBA Diving MANDATORY

Instructor
Instructor
YMCA SCUBA Instructor

PA-19 Swimming Lessons

WSI
YMCA Youth and Adult Instructor I or II
Aquatic Instructor
Learn to Swim Program Instructor
Starfish Swimming Instructor
AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
Teacher, Advanced Teacher, Coach
Preliminary Swimming Teachers Certificate, National Swimming Teachers Certificate
Level 1 or 2 Instructor Certificate

*PA-20 Watercraft Guard Certification-MANDATORY 
(also *PA-22,*PA-30, *PT-2)

Instructor Certification in: Introduction to Kayak or Canoe Instruction (Level 1), Essentials of River Kayaking, Kayak Touring, Riving Canoeing or Touring Canoeing (Level 2); River Kayak, River Canoe or Coastal Kayak (Level 3); OR Whitewater Kayak, Whitewater Canoe OR Open Water Coastal Kayak.
Small Boat Sailor Instructor, Sailing Counselor Course
Craft Safety w/designated craft, Basic Sailing Instructor, Canoe Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water), Kayak Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water)
Basic Small Boat Instructor
Level 2 Coach Training (Flat Water Canoe and Kayak)
Lifeguard certifications listed above (with specific craft rescue skills and experience)

PA-27 Watercraft Instruction (also *PT-2)

Instructor Certification : Introduction to Kayak or Canoe Instruction (Level 1), Essentials of River Kayaking, Kayak Touring, Riving Canoeing or Touring Canoeing (Level 2); River Kayak, River Canoe or Coastal Kayak (Level 3); OR Whitewater Kayak, Whitewater Canoe OR Open Water Coastal Kayak.
Small Boat Sailor Instructor, Sailing Counselor Course
Basic Sailing Instructor, Canoe Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water), Kayak Instructor (Flat Water or Moving Water)
Instructor
Instructor
Basic Small Boat Instructor
Level 2 Coach Training (Flat Water Canoe and Kayak)

PA-1 Aquatics Supervisor Qualifications

Lifeguard Management
YMCA Aquatic Facility Manager, Pool Operator on Location, Waterfront Director
National Camp School Graduate, Aquatics Instructor
Lifeguard, swim instructor, or boating instructor certifications listed above
Rescue Swimmer

*PA-17 First Aid/CPR MANDATORY
(same as *PA-23 and *PA-30 and *PA-31)

A. Standard First Aid, Community First Aid, Responding to Emergencies, Emergency Response
B. CPR, Community CPR, CPR for Professional Rescuer
CPR, Heart Saver Plus - Adult, Heart Saver AED - Adult/AED, Health Care Provider
CPR acceptable on First Aid Equivalents Page
American Camp Association | Summer camps enrich children's lives!

Camp is just around the corner, and you’ve still got to pack! You might be a pro at packing for camp, but there are always a few things you might forget. That's why The Clorox Company is partnering with the ACA to bring you a simple list of great suggestions for what counselors and staff should make sure is on their packing list this summer. Take a look – it just might save you from leaving something really important off your list!

The Clorox Company

Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry,  the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools,  and innovative programming ideas. The July/August 2010 issue features articles that address programming, history, 20/20 Toolbox, and more.

Children and youth need a community that:  encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.

A Voice for Excellence

ACA's Because of Camp…™ outdoor advertising campaign officially launched in early January. Since that time, orders have been arriving daily for billboards, posters, and transit shelters. Several orders have been placed already, and are being shipped to vendors nationwide. Visit ACA's Say It Big Web page to view a map of advertising placements as they are confirmed.

Preserving the rich history of the camp experience is essential for the future. The American Camp Association (ACA) is proud to celebrate our 100th Anniversary in 2010 and the 150th Anniversary of Organized Camping in 2011, and to honor our past with this Web-based tribute.

Celebrate ACA's 100th Anniversary

Find a Camp

Looking for a summer camp? Search over 2,400 ACA-Accredited camps.

Find a Job

Find the perfect summer or year-round camp job. Need Staff? Check Out ACA’s Staff Recruitment Solutions!

Join ACA

Join today and be an integral part of an evolving, versatile, and vibrant organization of people with knowledge to share.