Children's Camps
In New York State, when a children's program qualifies as a camp, it must have a state, city, or county health department permit to operate legally and must operate in compliance with Subpart 7-2 of the State Sanitary Code requirements. A permit is issued only when the camp is in compliance with the state's health regulations. Children's camps must be inspected twice yearly by a health department representative. At least one inspection must be made during the time the camp is in operation. Each camp is checked to make sure that the physical facilities are safe and that supervision is adequate. For general information about children's camps, see the Department's brochures How to Obtain a Permit to Operate a Children's Camp and Children's Camps in New York State.
Not all summer programs for children qualify as children's camps. Parents are encouraged to ask the camp director if the camp has a permit from their local health department. Contact the local health department having jurisdiction in the city or county that the camp is located, if you have questions.
Regulations
- Subpart 7-2 of the New York State Sanitary Code: Children's Camps
- Subpart 6-1 of the New York State Sanitary Code: Swimming Pools
- Subpart 6-2 of the New York State Sanitary Code: Bathing Beaches
- Subpart 6-3 of the New York State Sanitary Code: Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds
Fact Sheets, Brochures and Other Information
- Aquatic Certifications for Bathing Facilities
- Bunk Bed Guardrail Requirements
- Camp Aquatics Director for Children's Camp Bathing Facilities
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification for Children's Camps and Bathing Facilities
- Children's Camps in New York State Brochure
- Counselors-In-Training for Children's Camp Program
- Epinephrine Auto-Injection Use by Children's Camps
- Children's Camps and the Epinephrine Auto-Injector Device Law
- First Aid Certification for Children's Camp Staff
- How to Obtain a Permit to Operate a Children's Camp
- Learn to Swim Programs for Children's Camps
- Sex Offender Registry Search Procedures for Children's Camps
- Procedures for Handling Outbreaks at Camps
- Progressive Swimming Instructor for Children's Camps
- Recognizing, Reporting, and Preventing Mumps at Children's Camps
- Recommended Immunizations for Campers and Staff
- Required Reporting for Injury and Illness Poster (PDF, 640KB, 1pg.)
- Children's Camp Swimming Fact Sheet
- Wilderness Swimming Guidance
- Wilderness Swimming Site Field Assessment Tool
Additional information for Swimming Pools, Bathing Beaches and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds is available.
Bats in Children's Camps
- General Guidelines for Management of Bat-Related Incidents at Children's Camps
- Fact Sheet for Bat Habitat Inspection and Batproofing in Children's Camps
- Bat Capture Kit for Children's Camps
Forms
- DOH-367 - Children's Camp Facility & Staff Description (PDF, 30KB, 2pg.)
- DOH-367a - Children's Camp Additional Staff Qualifications (PDF, 14KB, 2pg.)
- DOH-2040 - Children's Camp Written Plan Checklist (PDF, 25KB, 2pg.)
- DOH-2271 - Prospective Children' Camp Director Certified Statement (PDF, 171KB, 1pg.)
- DOH-1309 - Engineering Report for Swimming Pool Plans (PDF, 1.33MB, 4pg.)
- DOH-1323 - Report on Operation of Swimming Pool (PDF, 63KB, 2pgs.)
- DOH-2287 - Daily Report on Beach Operations (PDF, 303KB, 2pgs.)
- DOH-2436 - Engineering Report for Bathing Beaches (PDF, 1.93MB, 2pg.)
- DOH-2286 - Swimming Pool & Bathing Beach Safety Plan Checklist (PDF, 57KB, 2pg.)
Influenza (Flu)
Incident Summary Reports
- 2009 Incident Summary Report
- 2008 Incident Summary Report
- 2007 Incident Summary Report
- 2006 Incident Summary Report
Meningococcal Disease
- Fact Sheet
- NYS Public Health Law § 2167 (signed bill)
- Template - Sample Vaccination Response Form - This template is provided as a downloadable Microsoft Word Document, file size approximately 22 KB. If you have any questions regarding this template or need technical assistance, please call the Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection at 518-402-7600.
- Template - Sample Overnight Children's Camp Parent Letter - This template is provided as a downloadable Microsoft Word Document, file size approximately 30KB. If you have any questions regarding this template or need technical assistance, please call the Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection at 518-402-7600.
