Beginning in 2000 the United Youth Camps (UYC) have been visited by volunteers from the American Camp Association (ACA) sections every three years and scored using the approved standards in 10 major areas—from site and food service to operational management, aquatics, adventure/challenge, etc. During that time, 11 regional camps have been inspected in three years (2000, 2003 and 2006).

Each camp is scored on 120 to 160 individual standards. The interesting challenge for the UYC program is that we are considered one program in multiple sites, and we score on one scorecard. That means we have to get each standard correct four times but would miss the entire standard if even one site was not in compliance. To receive accreditation we need at least 80 percent correct in each area with all "mandatory" standards passed.

In these 11 scoring visits, more than 1,500 standards were considered and scored and only three standards were missed. According to the national ACA office, this is a very major accomplish. Achieving such excellence is a tribute to the outstanding efforts of camp directors and volunteer staff.

This year marks the third round of visits. Camp Hye Sierra, Camp Carter and Camp Heritage were visited and scored, missing only one standard. (Camp Davidson was scheduled for a visit this summer, but the local visiting team was unable to complete the visit.)