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As Girl Scout camp programs are in full gear, there are questions regarding H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu).
For recent and comprehensive information on H1N1 as it relates to camp programs, follow this link to the American Camp Association (ACA): www.acacamps.org.
For more information on H1N1 Influenza and pandemic preparedness, please follow the link to the World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int.
We encourage all of our members to stay tuned to the situation since it continues to evolve and to utilize the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) Web site at www.cdc.gov for the latest information.
We are encouraging our volunteers to keep our office abreast if they notice decreased attendance from activities due to the flu and to take appropriate actions if necessary.
Simple Preventions
We are encouraging parents to talk with their girls about simple steps they can take to stay healthy during this flu season, including:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
From the American Camp Association
ACA is working with the Association of Camp Nurses and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carefully monitor the H1N1 Influenza situation, and provide regular updates and information to our camps.
 American Camp Association Accreditation
The ACA-accreditation program has a fifty-year history and is continually evaluated and updated to reflect current best practice in camps. ACA collaborates with experts from many fields such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to be sure required practices are current and sound. ACA standards are revised based on research in the public, legal, youth development, and camp arenas.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma recognizes that ACA camps set the standard for the industry. For us, it is a regular, independent health and safety audit of camp operations. For parents, the ACA-accredited camp sign symbolizes excellence and our accountability and ongoing commitment to the children we serve.
In addition, our participation in the American Camp Association gives us:
- A connection in Washington — ACA monitors important public policy areas, tracking current and proposed legislation and anticipating issues that may affect the camp community.
- Nationwide publicity — ACA's public relations outreach includes local and national media campaigns; a parent-focused Web site, www.CampParents.org; and an annual family publication, CAMP.
- Ongoing staff training — Staff learn best practices in all areas of camp operation in preperation for the ACA Accreditation Standards Visit.
- Hundreds (even thousands) of dollars of savings. Discounts available only to ACA camps on insurance, food, credit card processing, staff recruitment services, staff training, program materials, education, and more.
We are very proud of our accomplishments as a camp, and we hope you can see the benefits of our hard work to become ACA-accredited. If you have any questions about our status or the accreditation process, please let us know. We're happy to share the value of accreditation with you.
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