In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud discusses the importance of accreditation in the camping industry, previewing the process of becoming an accredited camp through ACA New England. He explains the role of peer review, the steps involved in the accreditation process, and the significance of site visits. The episode also highlights the vital role of trained visitors in supporting camps throughout the accreditation journey and the ongoing responsibilities camps have to maintain their accredited status.-Accreditation is an independent third-party review of camp policies and operations.-The accreditation process can take 6 to 18 months depending on the camp's readiness.-Accreditation is about meeting industry standards, not a cookie-cutter approach.-Site visits are crucial for evaluating compliance with accreditation standards.-Visitors play a leading role in helping camps succeed in accreditation.-Maintaining accreditation involves the Annual Accreditation Report and a compliance statement.-Accreditation helps camps avoid complacency and maintain high standards.-The process is designed to raise the quality of camping experiences.-Visitor engagement is essential for knowledge transfer and community building.Chapters00:00 Introduction to ACA New England and Accreditation06:00 The Accreditation Process: Steps to Becoming Accredited12:07 The Role of Visitors in the Accreditation Process16:54 Maintaining Accreditation: Annual Requirements and Responsibilities