‘Camping with Confidence’: the Campsite Accreditation Program

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The Australian Camps Association (which grew out of the Camping Association of Victoria) and the Department of Education have developed an accreditation program for the safe and reasonable operation of campsites that provide accommodation for groups.

‘Camping with Confidence’

Schools and other user groups want a camping experience that is exciting, challenging and inspirational and takes place in a safe environment, but they have markedly different needs at a campsite. A music camp, for example, may want several separate rehearsal areas, while a Year 7 school group may be seeking adventure activities and program assistance. Some groups don’t necessarily care about trim lawns or en suites or carpeted floors. The physical setting will be less important for some, while bunkroom heating will be a consideration for others. What is important for every group is being able to pick and choose the level of comfort, program, catering and support they believe they need — while being assured of their health and safety.
Campsite accreditation does this. Any campsite that successfully completes ‘the core requirements for the safe and reasonable operation of a campsite’ as specified in Camping with Confidence can be accredited.

Education department expectations

The Department of Education 'Safety Guidelines: Camping and Bush Activities' states ‘Schools that use camping venues within Victoria, whether school-owned or otherwise, are expected to use sites accredited by the Australian Camps Association through the Australian Campsite Accreditation Program.’
It is likely that other schools and non-school organisations will also adopt Camping with Confidence as the appropriate basis for campsite selection.

What is accreditation?

The accreditation program, Camping with Confidence, offers a framework for campsites to ensure their operation is safe and reasonable while giving user groups a wide choice of sites that offer distinctive camping experiences. Campsites that have gained accreditation will have met twenty-four requirements covering:
• health, hygiene and safety;
• buildings and facilities;
• activity equipment and the conduct of activities;
• campsite administration;
• emergency procedures;
• camper supervision;
• quality assurance and consumer protection for campers.
Camping with Confidence offers a simple means for user groups to identify campsites which have demonstrated that they meet the core requirements of campsite operation. All accredited campsites have been assessed against the same requirements, many of which include inspection by recognised authorities in the field, such as the local Environmental Health Officer and Building Inspector.
While accreditation provides the impetus and framework for operators and user groups to make a commitment to providing good camping experiences, it still requires campsite operators and users to continue to assess facilities, actions and procedures at the campsite.

Style, diversity and ratings

‘Camping with Confidence’ is not a rating system for comparing different campsites. There is absolutely no intention for accreditation to be a rating scheme. Accreditation requires campsites to meet the ‘core requirements’. This means the local Environmental Health Officer, for instance, has made an assessment about an accredited campsite. The EHO will have judged the facility to be ‘safe and suitable for its intended purpose’. Two adjacent campsites could be quite different in style but still be ‘safe and suitable’ and satisfy the local external inspections. Also, by their own choice, campsites may exceed the core requirements in some areas.
Accreditation allows campsites to meet common requirements while retaining their diversity and uniqueness. A range of campsites and services is vital to meet the vastly different needs of user groups.
Accreditation does not favour one style of campsite over another. Campsites may be small or large, have no staff or many on-site staff, they may be in permanent tents or in new, modern buildings, they may have no program or lots of program. Regardless, the accreditation program can accommodate a wide diversity of styles and facilities, programs, catering and services. The simple test is about safety and suitability for of the facility for its purpose.

How do campsites gain accreditation?

To become accredited the campsite management creates a folder that contains information pertinent to the twenty-four requirements and related checklist items that are detailed in Camping with Confidence.

The folder will contain copies of all relevant information such as
•  campsite safety procedures;
•  activity supervision;
•  emergency management plan;
•  equipment maintenance check list;
•  insurance;
•  booking forms and procedures;
•  local council approvals.
The campsite management then provides a copy of the folder to the Australian Camps Association which appoints a consultant to that campsite. The consultant visits the campsite and verifies the material in the folder. When the accreditation consultant is satisfied that the requirements have been met, s/he makes a recommendation to the Camping Association that the site be accredited. Campsites are accredited for three years provided:
•  they continue to meet the requirements of the accreditation program;
•  they satisfactorily complete an annual return;
•  they indicate any changes relevant to the accreditation requirements.

Who’s accredited?

Accredited member campsites may display an accreditation logo and use signage and explanations as approved by the Australian Camps Association. In the interests of improving standards, the accreditation program is available to all campsites offering group accommodation, whether members of the Camping Association or not. Non-member sites are limited in the way they may display or explain accreditation. See www.auscamps.asn.au

Accreditation Requirements

1. SAFETY BRIEFING OF CAMPERS
Requirement: Campers are briefed about safety and emergencies.

2. SUPERVISION AND CARE OF CAMPERS, OTHER THAN IN ACTIVITIES
Requirement: Campsite staff responsibilities for the supervision and care of campers are identified.

3. MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDS
Requirement: Hazards that threaten the safety of campers or property are identified and reduced or removed.

4. CAMPSITE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Requirement: An emergency management plan for routine and non-routine incidents is endorsed by the emergency services.

5. SPECIALISED ACTIVITIES WHERE THE USER GROUP PROVIDES SUPERVISION
Requirement: Specialised activities provided by the campsite, where the user group provides the supervision (i.e. without campsite staff supervision), are conducted in a safe manner.

6. SPECIALISED ACTIVITIES WITH CAMPSITE STAFF SUPERVISION
Requirement: Specialised activities provided for campers and supervised by campsite staff or activities providers (where the campsite provides activities through subcontractors) are conducted in a safe manner.

7. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE OF SPECIALISED ACTIVITY EQUIPMENT
Requirement: Specialised activity equipment used by campers is properly maintained and stored.

8. HYGIENE AND BUILDING
Requirement: Buildings and services are safe and suitable for their intended use.

9. HEATING APPLIANCES
Requirement: Water and space-heating appliances and furnaces are safe.

10. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Requirement: Electrical wiring and fittings are safe.

11. VEHICLE PARKING AND ACCESS ROADS
Requirement: Vehicle access and parking is safe.

12. VEHICLE OPERATING PROCEDURES
Requirement: Vehicles used to transport campers are safe.

13. STATEMENT OF CAMPSITE POLICY
Requirement: The campsite’s aims, facilities and the educational and recreational experiences it offers are identified.

14. HIRE AGREEMENT AND BOOKING SYSTEM
Requirement: A hire agreement and recording system is used for all bookings.

15. CAMPERS WITH DISABILITIES
Requirement: The campsite has been assessed for use by people with disabilities.

16. USER INFORMATION REGISTER
Requirement: Campsite users are recorded in a register.

17. INSURANCE POLICIES
Requirement: Voluntary worker, public liability and workers’ compensation cover is provided.

18. ILLNESS AND INJURY REGISTER
Requirement: Illness and injury to campsite staff or campers is recorded in a register.

19. CAMPSITE STAFF INFORMATION REGISTER
Requirement: Campsite staff details are recorded in a register.

20. FIRST AID FOR STAFF
Requirement: First aid obligations for campsite staff are met.

21. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Requirement: Campsite staff have an employment agreement.

22. REGISTER OF VEHICLES AND DRIVERS
Requirement: Vehicles and drivers are recorded in a register.

23. SAFE PRACTICES IN THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT
Requirement: Electrical and mechanical equipment is properly maintained and safe to use.

24. ACCREDITATION SITE INSPECTION
Requirement: The campsite has been visited by an ACA accreditation consultant and conforms to the requirements of the accreditation program, as amended from time to time by the ACA

Each requirement has a check list of components and most have support material to help campsites interpret the items.
Full details of the program are available from the Australian Camps Association www.auscamps.asn.au

The program has been developed in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Education, Victoria
Endorsed by the Department of Education, Victoria
Certified by the Tourism Accreditation Board of Victoria, 1996