Children's Camp Safety Plan (May 2009)
New York State Sanitary Code Subpart 7-2, Children's Camps, requires that children's camp operators develop, review annually, update and implement a written safety plan. This plan must be submitted to your local health department (LHD) for their review and approval. The plan must accurately describe the camp's procedures for personnel, facility operation and maintenance, fire safety, medical, general and activity safety, staff training, and camper orientation.
- Camp Safety Plan Memo
- Childrens Camp Safety Plan Template (Fillable PDF form: May not open in all browsers; 60 pages, 1.3MB)
- Childrens Camp Safety Plan Template (Non-fillable PDF; 153KB)
Appendix E: General Activity Worksheet
Complete for each activity without a specific addendum or that requires additional supervision or safety procedures from what has been provided in Section V (General and Activity-Specific Safety) of the main document (e.g. requires additional/specialized staff, minimum participant prerequisites, safety equipment). Activities that have similar safety and supervision procedures may be listed on the same worksheet.
The activity leader for on-site sporting activities must be competent in the sport they are overseeing. A minimum of the activity leader and one staff member must supervise activities that occur at locations where additional camp staff assistance is not readily available (within five minutes).
The camp's swimming program is one of the most potential hazardous activities in the camp environment. A comprehensive safety plan will specify camp policies and procedures and help staff understand their responsibilities for implementation. Failure to implement a complete buddy system has been a significant contributing factor in every camper drowning related to a children's camp since 1986.
Appendix H: Camp Trip Swimming Including Aquatic Amusement Parks and Wilderness Swimming
Except for wilderness sites, only those swimming pools and bathing beaches in New York State that have a valid permit to operate issued from the local health department having jurisdiction for the bathing facility, or those operated by a New York State Agency, may be used.
In addition to Subpart 7-2 of the NYS Sanitary Code, boats operated at children's camps must comply with NYS Navigation Law, which contains requirements for the inspection, operation, and reporting of injuries associated with public vessels. Contact the Marine Services unit of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) at 518-474-0445 or visit their website at www.nysparks.state.ny.us/boating/services.asp for questions or additional information regarding NYS Navigation Law and public vessel licensure and inspection.
For on-site archery activities, the activity leader must be at least 18-years-old and competent in archery activities including, but not limited to; use and maintenance of equipment, proper constructing of a shooting range, and instruction of correct shooting techniques.
In addition to Subpart 7-2 of the NYS Sanitary Code, a riflery program must comply with NYS Penal Law, Article 265, which governs the possession and use of firearms and other dangerous weapons in NYS.
Subpart 7-2 only allows single-shot rifles, preferably with slings, at children's camps.
Riding a horse involves teamwork and, when necessary, requires the rider to exert control and influence over a powerful and potentially unpredictable animal; maturity, experience, coordination, timing and physical ability are all components required to achieve safe riding skills.
Appendix M: Rope or Challenge Courses
The activity leader must be competent in the rope and challenge course activities available at the camp, including but not limited to: equipment's function, use and maintenance; belaying and spotting techniques; and communication/signals. A minimum of the activity leader and one staff member must supervise activities that occur at locations where additional camp staff assistance is not readily available (within five minutes).
Provide the following information for each out-of-camp trip. Additionally, if the camp trip includes swimming, boating or horseback riding, complete the corresponding appendix for that activity.
Appendix O: Spray Ground Facility Operation and Maintenance
When spray features are installed in a swimming pool, wading pool, wave pool or other pool regulated under Subpart 6-1, the spray ground code shall not apply. These operations will be regulated as swimming pools.
Statewide Central Register Database Check Form LDSS-3370
ALL information on the form must be easily read so that data entry and results are accurate. Each SCR Database Check submitted should be reviewed for completeness and legibility by the program/agency liaison. If the form is incomplete or illegible, it will be returned to the agency for corrections.
New York State Sanitary Code 6-1 requires that swimming pool operators develop, update and implement a written safety plan. This plan must be submitted to your local health department for their review and approval. The plan must include procedures for daily bather supervision, injury prevention, reacting to emergencies, injuries and other incidents, providing first aid and summoning help.
Please review, complete and submit the Pool Safety Plan and DOH-4472 documents. Include any attachments (i.e. photos), as necessary. Once completed, it will serve as your facility’s comprehensive written safety plan, which will meet the requirements of the State Sanitary Code (SSC). This plan must meet the specific conditions of your facility and operations, as well as serve as a training and reference document for you and your staff. Local rescue, police and fire personnel should be consulted when developing your pool safety plan.
New York State Sanitary Code 6-2 requires that beach operators develop, update and implement a written safety plan. This plan must be submitted to your local health department for their review and approval. The plan must include procedures for daily bather supervision, injury prevention, reacting to emergencies, injuries and other incidents, providing first aid and summoning help.
Please review, complete and submit the Beach Safety Plan and DOH-4473 documents. Include any attachments (i.e. photos), as necessary. Once completed, it will serve as your facility’s comprehensive written safety plan, which will meet the requirements of the State Sanitary Code (SSC). This plan must meet the specific conditions of your facility and operations, as well as serve as a training and reference document for you and your staff. Local rescue, police and fire personnel should be consulted when developing your beach safety plan.
Poster: Required Reporting for Injury and Illness
Legal size (8-1/2 x 14.) Download PDF for printing (DOH Form 3602)
Your written plan should be tailored specifically to your camp's site and program(s), and reflect the camp's policies and procedures (i.e., “per code” is not enough detail!). It should be your framework for decision making, and your risk management tool. Download Guide Booklet (PDF, 267K)
