Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 1 Title, Purpose and Definitions

The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the "Elena Matyas Children's Camp Safety Ordinance."

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 14, 2022.)

The purpose of this chapter is to prescribe minimum requirements for the protection of the health and safety of all campers participating in a children's camp.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 15, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 700, 1959.)

"Camper" means any person age three (3) to seventeen (17) who is a participant in a children's camp.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 16, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 701, 1959.)

"Camp operator" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, or organization that owns, leases, rents, or operates a children's camp, and/or an individual partnership, joint venture, or organization that has care, charge, or control of a children's camp.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 17, 2022.)

Children's camp" has the same meaning as defined in Section 8.04.080.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 18, 2022; Ord. 2007-0089 § 4, 2007; Ord. 8588 § 1 (part), 1964; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 709, 1959.)

"Children's day camp" has the same meaning as defined in Section 8.04.081.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 19, 2022.)

"Children's overnight camp" has the same meaning as defined in Section 8.04.082.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 20, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 708, 1959.)

"Counselor" means a staff member who supervises campers and/or operates activities involving campers at a camp, is at least sixteen (16) years old, except as otherwise required in this chapter, and is at least two (2) years older than any campers

that the counselor is supervising.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 21, 2022.)

"Department" means the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 22, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 702, 1959.)

"Director" means an individual who is at least 25 years of age, has had at least two (2) seasons of administrative or supervisory experience in camp activities and has primary responsibility for camp operations.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 23, 2022.)

"Organized camp" has the same meaning as defined in Section 8.04.338.5.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 24, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 703, 1959.)

"Passive activity" means an activity that takes place for a limited time in a defined area, where campers are spectators, or have limited mobility. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, storytelling, coloring, viewing movies or drama, singing, playing board games, computer use, and classroom instruction.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 25, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 704, 1959.)

"Season" means a consecutive 90-day period.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 26, 2022.)

A.

"Specialized recreational activity" means an activity that may expose a camper to a risk of serious injury because of the inherent danger of the activity. Such activities include, but are not limited to, ziplining, diving, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, shooting sports, high rope courses, operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), canoeing, aquatic activities (e.g., any camper activities in a pool or other body of water), and other activities determined by the Department based on characteristics such as height, speed, water depth, physical contact with another participant or object, and/or use of equipment associated with the activity. Other considerations for determining whether an activity is a specialized recreational activity include, but are not limited to, the following:

Staff that have specialized training and experience concerning equipment, procedures, and safety considerations.

Specific safety precautions and requirements for a high level of adult supervision at all times.

May require inspection and/or certification by an accredited organization for that activity.

B.

Specialized recreational activities do not include sports played on courts or fields.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 27, 2022; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 9 § 706, 1959.)