Joining WAIC

Membership Benefits

All members of WAIC enjoy a variety of benefits that will strengthen the total camp operation.

* Camp networking
* Open sharing of ideas and information
* Opportunity to interact with well established leaders of organized camping
* WAIC is nationally recognized as a leader in camping
* Strong leadership from Member Camps and Camp Directors
* Members are required to participate
* Focus on the needs and concerns of Independent Camps
* All WAIC members are ACA accredited
* Diversity of camps, regions and camp experiences
* Annual Conference with outstanding speakers and professional growth
* Section Meetings with open and candid discussion of important topics
* WAIC List online mailings and WAIC-UP Newsletter with valuable updates on important issues and educational articles
* Listing on the WAIC website with a link to your camp
* Authority to use the WAIC logo on all promotional materials
* Provides camp with another level of credibility
* Encourages professionalism among camp owners and camp directors
* Provides a high standard and Code of Ethics for all Member Camps
* Opportunity to participate in a variety of co-op marketing programs

Joining WAIC

Camp Eligibility

WAIC Eligibility Standards checklist:

1. The camp must be accredited by ACA for at least two (2) years prior to the date WAIC Member status is conferred.
2. The camp is an independent camp that has been in operation for at least four (4) years as of the date membership is conferred.
3. The camp complies with WAIC and ACA ethical standards (there must be no outstanding ethical complaints).
4. The camp has at least ten (10) campers at one time.
5. The camp has been visited by a WAIC representative.

Designated Director

The designated director of the camp meets the following qualifications:

* Four years of administrative experience in an ACA accredited camp;
* A current ACA member;
* At least 25 years of age;
* Endorses the ACA and WAIC code of ethics;
* Attended two consecutive WAIC Annual Conferences;
* Attended two WAIC Section Meetings each year;
* Paid the annual ACA dues.

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Camp Headquarters

 

The Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC) is a group of independent day and resident camps in the Western United States. All WAIC camps are accredited through the American Camp Association, and therefore meet the camp industry's highest standards for safety, staffing, health, and programming.

Our camps vary in the activities offered and length of stay, but all WAIC camps maintain a commitment to offering the highest quality camp experiences available. To learn more about individual camp programs, choose the "Find a Camp" tab and click on the links to the individual camp's websites. If you are interested in working at a summer camp, choose the "Find a Job" tab.

Camps who are interested in joining WAIC and being part of the education, networking, and sharing that we are about are encouraged to visit "About WAIC" and learn about joining our group.

Testimonials

Social Skills Development
• Leadership
• Communication
• Participation

Community Living/Service Skills
• Caring
• Fairness
• Citizenship
• Trustworthiness

Self-Respect and Character Building
• Responsibility
• Resourcefulness
• Resilience

Links to More Information

Because of Camp
Celebrating 100 years of Camping
American Camp Association