Children's Camps
Polio Guidance
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.
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
- Fact Sheets, Brochures and Other Information
- Required Certifications
- Safety Plan Templates
- Managing Illness in Children's Camps
- Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs
- Bats in Children's Camps
- Forms
- Incident Summary Reports
- State Camp Safety Advisory Council
- For More Information
For general information about children's camps, see the Department's web pages, Requirements for Children's Camps in New York State and Children's Camps in New York State.
Regulations, State Sanitary Code
- Subpart 7-2: Children's Camps
- Subpart 6-1: Swimming Pools
- Subpart 6-2: Bathing Beaches
- Subpart 6-3: Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds
Fact Sheets, Brochures and Other Information
- Amusement Devices and Similar Equipment at Children's Camps
- Bunk Bed Guardrail Requirements
- Children's Camps in New York State
- Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
- Pesticide Application Requirements at Children's Camps
- Public Playground Safety Handbook (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
- Requirements for Campers with Disabilities at Children’s Camps: Frequently Asked Questions
- Requirements for Camps for Children with Developmental Disabilities
- Requirements for Children's Camps in New York State
- Sex Offender Registry Search Procedures for Children's Camps
- Supervision of Boating Activities for New York State Children's Camps
- Swimming Requirements
- Water Supply Start-up Procedures for Children's Camps
- Wilderness Swimming Guidance
- Wilderness Swimming Site Field Assessment Tool
Additional information is available on our web page, Swimming Pools, Bathing Beaches and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds.
Required Certifications
- Aquatic Certifications for Bathing Facilities
- Camp Aquatics Director for Children's Camps
- Camp Trip Swimming Program Safety Certifications for Children's Camps
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification for Children's Camps and Bathing Facilities
- Counselors-In-Training for Children's Camps
- First Aid Certification for Children's Camps
- Learn to Swim Programs for Children's Camps
- Progressive Swimming Instructor for Children's Camps
Additional certification requirements are available on our web page, Swimming Pools, Bathing Beaches and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds.
Safety Plan Templates
Activity-Specific Plans:
- Archery
- Boating
- Camp Trips
- Horseback Riding
- Riflery
- Rope and Challenge Courses
- Sports
- Spray Grounds
- Swimming - On-site
- Swimming - Off-site and Wilderness
Managing Illness in Children's Camps
- Polio Guidance for Camp Operators - April 2023
- Measles and Immunization Recommendations for Campers and Staff
- Procedures for Handling Vaccine-Preventable Diseases at Camp
- Required Reporting for Injury and Illness Poster (PDF)
- Procedures for Handling Outbreaks at Camps
- Guidance for Camps on Influenza
- Health Advisory: Prevention and Control of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections in the Camp Setting
- Meningococcal Disease
Polio Resources for Camp Operators:
Measles Resources for Camp Operators:
- Measles and Immunization Recommendations for Campers and Staff
- Prevent the Spread of Measles at Summer Camp (English, Spanish, Yiddish)
- Measles Reference Guide
- Recognizing Measles Infirmary Flyer
- Measles Immunization Records Summary to Identify Potentially Susceptible Individuals
Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs
On June 30, 2013, legislation creating the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs became effective. This legislation contains requirements for children's camps for children with developmental disabilities and requires amendments to the children's camp regulation (Subpart 7-2). The amendments apply to camps with 20% or more campers with a developmental disability and include new requirements for staff screening and training, and incident reporting/management.
Information for complying with the legislation and amendments is found on the Justice Center's website. Here are some helpful links:
- Justice Center - Frequently Asked Questions
- Statewide Central Register Access
- Staff Exclusion List Checks, Training Webinar
- Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs
- Mandated Reporter Training
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)
- DOH-367a - Children's Camp Additional Staff Qualifications (PDF)
- DOH-2040 - Children's Camp Written Plan Checklist (PDF)
- DOH-2271 - Prospective Children' Camp Director Certified Statement (PDF)
- DOH-1309 - Engineering Report for Swimming Pool Plans (PDF)
- DOH-1323 - Report on Operation of Swimming Pool (PDF)
- DOH-2287 - Daily Report on Beach Operations (PDF)
- DOH-2436 - Engineering Report for Bathing Beaches (PDF)
- DOH-2286 - Swimming Pool & Bathing Beach Safety Plan Checklist (PDF)
Incident Summary Reports
State Camp Safety Advisory Council
The State Camp Safety Advisory Council was established in accordance with Public Health Law Article 13-A, Section 1390. The State Camp Safety Advisory Council consists of nine members representing New York State for profit camps, not-for-profit camps, municipal camps, consumer interests, and children's interests. The Council meets at least twice a year to advise and consult the Department of Health on policy matters relating to youth camp safety.
For More Information
If you have questions about a camp or what is necessary to obtain a camp permit, contact the local health department having jurisdiction in the city or county that the camp is or will be located.
For general information about children's camps, email the Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection or call (518) 402-7600.