Understanding the National
Camp Accreditation Program
National Camp Accreditation
Program
Boy Scouts of America
Welcome
Agenda for Training
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What is NCAP
Roles and Responsibilities
What needs to be done and when
Understanding the Standards
What to do if you have a challenge with a standards
What happens at an assessment?
Where do I go if I have questions?
NCAP Leadership
• Reports to the National Adventures Committee
• National Camp Accreditation Committee
• Regional Leadership – Volunteers and Professionals
• Area Leadership – Volunteers and Professionals
• National Staff – Professionals from various departments
Pieces of the NCAP Process
• Multi-Year Cycle – Analysis, Application & Authorization
– Analysis of Camp by the Council of program and
facilities
– Application Written by the Council
– Authorization to Operate is Given by the Region (5
Years)
• Annual Cycle – Assessment & Accreditation
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Background
Assessment is a National Process
• Coordinated through the 27 Areas of the BSA
• Self Assessment and area run assessments
• Area assessments are performed by Area/Council
volunteer teams and staff
• Self Assessments are done by a Council team
• Assists the councils by providing guidance for year round
programs
• Maintains the same standards nationwide
• Records maintained in the National Office
NCAP Roles & Responsibilities
• Council Camping Committee
– Develops a program to provide “mountain top
experiences”
– Provides quality facilities and equipment to run
program
– Provides support to the Camp Staff
• Council NCAP Chairs
– Coordinates Authorization Process
– Coordinates Assessments
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NCAP Roles & Responsibilities
• Area Camp Assessors
– Team Lead Assessors & Team Members
– Visit and Assess Resident Camps
• Council Self-Assessment Teams
– Visit and Assess Day Camps, Family Camps
• Council NCAP Staff Advisers
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NCAP Timeline
Intent to Operate – Due November 30th Each Year
Post Camp / Pre Camp Review By Council, Sept – April
Assessor Training – February – May, Each Year
Declaration of Readiness – Due May 15th Each Year
Assessment Visits – June – August, Each Year
Camping Report Completed - September
Properties / Programs Assessed
Areas Assessment Teams Visit
Council Resident Camps for
Cub Scout
Boy Scout
Venture Scout
Specialty
High Adventure
Stand Alone COPE Camps
Council Assessment Teams Visit
Council Camps not holding Resident Camps
Council Day Camps
Family Camps
Intent to Operate
Purpose – The Intent to Operate allows a local Council a way of
communicating to the National Office the numbers and types of resident
camps along with it’s programs it intends to offer in the upcoming year.
What Data is basic to NCAP Assessment?
Camp Name
Camp Directors Name
Council Name
Camp Type
Assessment Visit Date
Assessment Visit Date ( Alternate )
Programs Offered / Specialty Programs
NCAP Form # 430-150
Post Camp / Pre Camp Inspection
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A Council Responsibility
Council Inspection of Resident Camp Property
Designed to be used as an Internal Worksheet
Can be Completed After Camp has Closed or
Before Camp is Opened
Review is made by a council team of qualified
Volunteers/Professionals
BSA Form # 430 - 310
Declaration of Readiness
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Helps a Council become organized for Summer Camp !!!
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Helps a Council pull together all Operational, Facility,
Program, Health & Safety and Staff Requirements to
successfully operate.
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Reminds a Council to correct any Non Compliant Issues
from the prior year
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Reminds a Council to complete it’s Post Camp / Pre
Camp Inspection
Declaration of Readiness
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Helps a council determine if they interpret a standard
differently than the Assessment Team
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Reminds a Council to Attach all Approved Waivers &
Variances
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Provides material for Pre Camp Meeting w/ Assessment
Team Leader
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Shared with the Assessment Team Leaders for a more
efficient visit
• NCAP Form 430-72
NCAP Standards
The Standards are broken down into the following Categories
PD 1xx – Program Design & Recommended Practices
PS 2xx – Program Substantive & Recommended Practices
PT 3xx – Trek Program
SQ 4xx – Staff Qualification & Training & Recommended
Practices
HS 5xx – Health & Safety
FS 6xx – Food Service
FA 7xx – Facilities & Recommended Practices
AO 8xx – Administration & Operational
Standards = NCAP Publication # 430 - 056
What to do if you have a challenge
with a Standard
• Review the challenge with your Council NCAP
Chairman and Scout Executive and try to solve
the challenge
• If you can not find a way to meet the standard –
fill out:
Request for Waiver or Variance, No. 430-083
What Constitutes a Waiver
A waiver is issued in writing by the National Standards
Committee that allows a camp to vary for one season from a
requirement of the NCAP Standards.
A waiver may be granted for a standard due to emergency or
other good cause shown.
A waiver may be conditional and require the requesting
council or camp to meet an alternative or equivalent control.
A waiver may be renewed for only one
additional season.
What is a Variance
A variance is issued in writing by the National
Standards Chair on behalf of the NCAP
Committee that allows a camp to permanently
vary from a requirement of the national camp
standards upon demonstration that the
variance provides equivalent or higher level of
program quality and safety.
A variance may be conditioned.
2016 Assessments
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Region
NE
S
C
W
Total
Assessors
466
488
749
270
1973
Programs
169
169
196
151_____
685
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NCAP Scoresheet
Pages 1- 3
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Lists the Standards
Allows for Scoring
Indicates Camp
Indicates Council
Area / Region
Team Leader
Signed when
complete
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Explain
Deviations
Scoring Program Narrative and
Assessment Recommendations
Page 5
Recommendations
for Improvement
Assessment Scoring
• Compliant – Camp Meets the Standard
• Deviation – If the camp met the spirit of the standard, but did not
meet it completely. A Deviation is valid for that camp & that year.
• Non Compliant – Standard is not Met, Camp Deviates with No
Approval for Change in Standard, No Waiver or Variation Received
• NA – If the standard is not applicable to a particular camp
• # - If a Deviation (Dv) or Non Compliance (NC) occurs while scoring,
place a number in the # column next to the Standard. A Deviation is a
Non-Compliance that has been Remedied.
How are Assessment Teams Selected
They are Assessors because:
• They have shown an interest in camping, health and
safety, resident camp programs and property
development - they care
• They understand the importance of camping
• They have the ability to work with people
• They can Apply the Standards and use Common Sense
NCAP Resources
For the latest information
Go to:
www.scouting.org/ncap
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