IF YOUR CAMP IS ATTENDING OUR 2024 CONFERENCE AND BEING GOLD RIBBON VISITED IN 2025, PLEASE ATTEND THE SESSION “Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program 2025 Overview” ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 9:00 AM. 

 

Please be advised that in 2025 we are moving to a virtual method of training, offering it as a course on our Professional Development Learning Center, followed by a virtual Q&A webinar. 

 

For a Camp to be eligible for Accreditation, they:

  1. Complete an Application in the Fall for an Accreditation visit the following summer.
  2. To ensure Camps are following the suggested guidelines and standards, they are given access to an online portal to upload their corresponding documents. This process is typically January-March.
  3. In January and February, the Camp participates in mandatory training courses on our Professional Development Learning Center to help educate and prepare them for the visit and assist with documentation and use of the portal.
  4. Camps are required to submit all documents by the end of March so the coordination of two visitors (peer and medical) can be assigned to review their documentation on the portal then visit the Camp in the summer. All documentation by the Camp MUST be submitted and reviewed prior to any visit taking place. The visitors do not decide whether a Camp is to become Accredited or not. The visitors submit a worksheet designating which policies and procedures were either ‘seen’ and/or ‘not seen’ during their visit. The worksheet is used in collaboration with the requirements of each standard.
  5. The visitors turn in their worksheet to the Gold Ribbon Committee who meets in September to discuss each of the Camps visited and determines their recommendations to the Board for those Camps to be Accredited.
  6. The Board of Directors votes in September on the Camps to become Gold Ribbon Accredited.
  7. Camps are notified in the Fall prior to the Annual Conference.

 

As a COCA Gold Ribbon Accredited Camp…

  1. Will be recognized at the Annual Conference as a Gold Ribbon Accredited Camp.
  2. Will be listed on COCA’s website, under the Camp’s profile page, as a Gold Ribbon Accredited Camp.
  3. Will be presented an official COCA Gold Ribbon Accredited Camp Certificate suitable for framing and displaying in the camp office.