1. Outdoor Programme Accreditation Schemes
For Third Party Providers
Saturday 7th May 2016
Graham Wardle

2. Accreditation Schemes
WHY
Provides a “benchmark” -against set and agreed ‘good practice’ industry standards for outdoor programs/ventures

3. Accreditation Schemes
What’s out there?
3 options for Providers in Asia:
1. Wilderness Education Association (WEA)
2. Association for Experiential Education
(AEE)
3. British Standard 8848:(2014)

4. Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
Accreditation Process – obtain a copy of the standards
1. application by organization seeking accreditation; pay initial application fee
2. internal review by organization seeking accreditation – self study
3. external review by Accreditation Program; includes a site visit
4. evaluation by Accreditation Council; for an initial
3-5 years
5. maintenance of accreditation
Cost US$4K

5. Wilderness Education Association (WEA)
1. Complete -Self Study
(4-9 months)
2. Digital - Application
3. Site Visit- by a Team
Site Visit Report - written
4. Commission – reviews all docs and awards Accreditation
TIME FRAME months
Cost US$4-5K
Wilderness Education Association (WEA)
Obtain the Accreditation Manual – review standards
$80

6. BS 8848:(2014) How does the standard protect users?
BS 8848 details good practice for venture providers
to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone taking part.
It shows Providers how to:
plan ventures, identify potential risks and manage them
effectively.
It also requires participants to be given
clear information so that they can make informed
decisions about risks to their own safety.

7. BS 8848:(2014) 3 ways of gaining Compliance
1. Self Assessment – Purchase from BSI the Standard 100 pounds sterling
Compile – all of the evidence to claim compliance
2. External Audit – by Technically Competent
Assessors
3. External Government Audit (Currently Not
available)
Two 3rd Providers – at OFFSEAS

8. Questions or Comments