Health & Safety

The camp operator must develop a written plan to include maintenance of facilities, provisions for training staff members and orientation of campers, supervision of campers, campsite hazards, emergency procedures and drills, safety procedures, and equipment for program activities.

All waterfront activities at camps in New York State must be supervised by an experienced certified lifeguard or water safety instructor. On-site, one qualified lifeguard is required for every 25 bathers. All aquatic staff is required to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Camps that use off-site pools or beaches operated by others must make special arrangements to provide a safe activity. Even off-site, the camp remains responsible for supervising campers.

Some children’s camps use sites for swimming that are not inspected by local health departments. Parental permission is required in these instances, and the camp must follow established guidelines to protect campers.

While campers are involved in aquatic activities on site, there must be one counselor for every 10 campers eight years or older; there must be one counselor for every eight children aged six and seven; and one counselor for every six children younger than six years old. When swimming off-site, there must be one counselor for every eight campers six years or older and one counselor for every six campers younger than six years.

New York State regulation requires that the answers to all these questions must be “yes.”

All trips must be supervised by a trip leader who is at least 18 years old and competent in the activity. Counselors must accompany trips and all staff must review the safety plan prior to the trip.

Counselors should have the skills and expertise in the camp activity (canoeing, rock-climbing, etc.) to handle any emergency that might arise. Ask whether the camp has conducted similar trips in the past without incident.

In New York State, the drivers of camp vehicles must be licensed and at least 18-years-old. Seat belts must be worn when provided and vehicle capacities not exceeded. When transporting children in a truck, only a truck cab can be used.

State regulation requires that archery, riflery, and horseback riding be supervised by counselors with special training in those activities.

All of the above are mandatory in New York State.

For information on the camp’s location and facilities, visit the camp or interview the camp operator by telephone, prior to making a decision to enroll your child at the camp.

At camps in New York State, food must be prepared from inspected sources. Food preparation and handling activities are reviewed to assure safe and sanitary practices. Kitchen employees must be healthy and follow hygienic practices. Potentially hazardous food must be maintained below 45°F or above 140°F.

• To be informed by the camp director, or his or her designee, of any incident involving your child, including serious injury, illness or abuse.
• To review inspection and investigation reports for a camp, which are maintained by the local health department issuing the camp a permit to operate (present and past reports are available).
• To review the required written camp plans. These are on file at both the camp and the health department issuing the permit to operate.

• To inform you and the local health department if your child is involved in any serious injury, illness or abuse incident.
• To screen the background and qualifications of all staff.
• To train staff about their duties.
• To provide supervision for all campers 24 hours a day at overnight camps, and during hours of operation for day camps.
• To maintain all camp physical facilities in a safe and sanitary condition.
• To provide safe and wholesome meals.
• To have and follow required written plans for camp safety, health, and fire safety.
• To notify the parent or guardian, with the enrollment application or enrollment contract, that:
  • the camp must have a permit to operate from the New York State Department of Health or the designated permit-issuing official;
  • the camp is required to be inspected twice yearly; and
  • the inspection reports and required plans are filed (address of state, county or city health department) and available for their review.

• To review and approve the required written camp plans for compliance.
• To inspect camps to assure that: (1) all physical facilities are properly operated and maintained; and (2) adequate supervision exists to provide a healthy and safe environment in accordance with the New York State Sanitary Code.
• To issue a permit to operate when the required plans and inspection results are satisfactory.
• To investigate reports of serious incidents of injury, illness and all allegations of abuse or maltreatment.
• When requested, to provide parents or guardians of prospective campers an opportunity to review inspection reports and required plans.

The New York State Health Code requires that the director of an overnight camp be at least 25-years-old or hold a bachelor’s degree; a day camp director must be at least 21-years-old.

All directors must have experience in camping administration or supervision. Camp directors’ backgrounds are screened by the Office of Children and Family Services Central Register Database for reported incidents of child abuse and maltreatment. Their backgrounds are also screened by the Health Department for criminal convictions. Only individuals who are considered to pose no risk to campers are accepted by the Health Department as camp directors.

Counselors must have experience in camping and supervision of children or have completed an acceptable training course. Stringent counselor-to camper ratios and staff qualifications are mandated for supervision of swimming, archery, riflery, and camp trip activities.

At overnight camps, 80 percent of the camps’ counselors must be at least 18-years-old; up to 20 percent may be 17-years-old. There must be at least one counselor for every 10 children aged eight years or older, and one counselor for every eight children younger than eight years old.

At day camps, counselors must be 16 years of age or older. There must be a minimum of one counselor for every 12 children.

Camps that must provide at least 10 counselors may choose to use counselors-in- training (CITs) to meet 10 percent of the required number of counselors. These CITs must be at least 16 years of age at an overnight camp and 15 years of age at a day camp. They must work with senior staff, have had previous experience as a camper and complete a training program. Ask the camp operator if any of their counselors are CITs and how they are used to supervise campers.

Ask about the camp’s staff and supervision procedures, including discipline policies. Do they meet your expectations? 

Physicians or nursing services must be available. All summer camps in New York State are required to have a health director and a written medical plan approved by the Health Department. The written plan must include, among other things, provisions for medical, nursing and first aid services. Injuries and illnesses must be reported to the Health Department and are thoroughly reviewed.

Camps must keep current medical history reports on file for all campers. Be sure to detail your child’s history of immunization, illness, disability or allergy. Specify special diets and activity restrictions. Provide instruction for any medication your child must take.