Program Accreditation

Project Adventure has an accreditation program that is designed specifically for programs that use PA curricula and training methods. Today there are many organizations operating Adventure programs. The term Project Adventure is sometimes used generically to describe a whole range of programs of widely varying quality. PA Program Accreditation is offered to provide assurance to an adopting program that they are operating to current PA standards.

In order to become a PA Accredited Program, the program must go through on-site review or audit. The on-site review is conducted by a senior PA staff member, and will include observation of the staff and the program in operation. The on-site review usually can be done in one or two days. After the review is completed a report will be sent summarizing the reviewer's findings. If there are any recommendations within the report the program will be asked to provide written responses to those recommendations. After these steps are completed, the results are submitted to the PA Accreditation Committee. Programs that have successfully completed this process will receive a Certificate of Accreditation. This accreditation is good for three years, and may be renewed. Challenge course inspections are still required annually, which is one of the on-going requirements to keep the accredited status current.

This section describes the PA Accreditation process in more detail. Program accreditation is designed to offer some of the following benefits:

Risk Management: Over the past thirty years, there has been tremendous growth in the number of new programs using games, initiatives, and challenge course activities. While safety studies have generally shown low incidence of accidents and injuries there are risks associated with all activities. The effective management of those risks is an on-going concern for all programs. Program accreditation is one the most effective methods of helping to manage those risks.

Networking: The PA Accreditation Program requires an on-site program review or audit. Program reviews are widely recognized as one of the best methods for sharing best practices and promoting professionalism in the field.

Quality Assurance and Program Credibility: Program Accreditation is designed to provide assurance to program administrators, program participants, insurance companies, and others that the adopting program is following current PA training methods and practices.

1. Initial Contact:

We often do an initial assessment of your program over the phone to evaluate whether or not you meet general accreditation criteria.

Specific questions that we will discuss include:

• How long has your program been in operation? Our recommendation is a minimum of one year.
• Have you had a recent Challenge Course Inspection? We require that your course be PA inspected within the same year as the program review.
• How can the Accreditation Process meet your needs? What are your expectations of this process?

2. Application Form:

With this general overview complete, we ask that you complete our Application Form and return to our office.

3. Setting a Date and an Agenda:

Once the Application Form has been returned, a date can be determined for the Program Accreditation and Course Inspection (if needed). At this stage, an agenda will be established for the Accreditation visit.

It is important to schedule the on-site visit at a time when the program is in session, and when a majority, if not all, staff can be available for most of the day.

4. Three Weeks Prior to the Accreditation Visit:

The following information needs to be received by PA:

• Copy of Program Manual (i.e. local operating procedures)
• Copy of Curriculum
• Copy of Statement of Purpose/Mission Statement/Program Philosophy
• Written Training Policies and Training Program for current year
• Risk Management and medical screening information
• Any other relevant written materials

5. Accreditation Visit:

The on-site part of the review usually will involve one reviewer, and will last one to two days depending on the size of the program.

The visit will include:

5.1 Program Observation
This requires observation of actual programs in progress with observation of as many staff facilitating as possible.

5.2 Discussion of all program written materials
E.g., curriculum, program goals and objectives, safety and program procedures, evaluation materials, accident and incident forms.

5.3 Review of all high and low ropes course procedures with all staff This would take place on the challenge course and would involve demonstration as well as discussion.

5.4 Discussion of Emergency Action Plan with the Program Coordinator

5.5 Completion of a program questionnaire and a self-evaluation by each staff member

5.6 Informal Staff Interviews

6. Challenge Course Inspection:

This will usually be conducted at a different time than the program review, and must be current (within the same year) to meet the requirements.

7. After the Visit:

7.1 Program Report
A written report will be sent following the on-site visit. The report will include an assessment of the program strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for program changes. To meet Accreditation requirements, you must complete all the necessary follow-up steps and provide PA with written documentation of this work.

7.2 Challenge Course Inspection Report
When a Course Inspection is conducted as part of the accreditation process, a report will be sent to the organization. If repairs or modifications are recommended in this report, a response should also be provided.

8. Accreditation:

Following the successful completion of the Accreditation process, accredited status will be in effect for three years. Certificates of Accreditation are issued on a year-by-year basis, following the annual course inspection.