Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 2 General Requirements

Unless otherwise specified in this division, camps which provide four (4) or more consecutive overnight stays shall comply with the requirements of Division 13, Part 2.4, of the California Health and Safety Code and Title 17, Division 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter 6. Organized Camps, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR).

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A person intending to establish a new children's camp or organized camp shall submit, in duplicate, complete plans of the proposed camp, including a plot plan drawn to scale, to the Department for approval, prior to construction of new buildings or conversion of existing buildings.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

All children's camps operating for four (4) weeks or less in any 12-month period are required to register with the Department before beginning camp operations. All children's camps operating for more than four (4) weeks in any 12-month period are required to obtain a public health permit before beginning camp operations.

B.

Every person desiring to register or obtain a public health permit to operate a children's camp shall file an application at least 60 days prior to the anticipated operation of the children's camp. The application shall include the information specified in

C.

Upon receipt of an application for registration or a public health permit and required fee, the Department shall review the application. The Department shall not review any application if incomplete, or if the required fee is not paid.

D.

Upon completion of the initial application review, the children's camp shall be subject to a site evaluation to be completed by the Department within 30 days prior to the anticipated operation of the children's camp to ensure minimum compliance with this chapter.

E.

Upon verification by the Department that all minimum requirements have been met, registration or a public health permit shall be issued.

F.

A camp operator is required to notify the Department at least fourteen (14) calendar days before a change is made to any of the following:

Continuing or discontinuing onsite food service.

Any changes to the children's camp name, location and mailing address.

Any major expansion of physical facilities.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

At least 30 days prior to operation of a children's camp in any calendar year, written notice shall be sent by the camp operator to the Department, setting forth the name, location, phone number, mailing, and email address of the person or agency that owns the camp site, and/or the name, phone number, and email address of the person or agency proposing to operate the camp and the proposed dates of operation during that calendar year. Children's camps which operate year-round shall provide only an initial notice of operation.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

The camp operator must develop and submit to the Department with the initial application for registration or public health permit a written description of operating procedures that describe the program of organized and supervised activities of the children's camp in the following areas:

Supervisor qualifications and training;

Staff skill verification criteria and process;

Camper eligibility requirements, if any;

Counselor-to-camper supervision ratios as required in Section 11.08.240, including for any passive or specialized recreational activities when offered;

Safety procedures, including the storage and handling of hazardous materials;

Identification of potential environmental hazards;

Equipment repair and maintenance; and

Equipment access and control.

B.

The following written plans must be submitted with the initial application for registration or a public health permit:

Camper health plan as outlined in Section 11.08.245;

Emergency plan as outlined in Section 11.08.260;

Specialized recreational activities plan as outlined in Section 11.08.265, if applicable;

Transportation plan as outlined in Section 11.08.270;

A plan for swimming or boating in any lake, stream, river or the ocean as outlined in Section 11.08.320, if applicable; and

Insect and rodent plan as outlined in Section 11.08.490.

C.

A children's camp shall maintain a copy of the written operating procedures and written plans required in this section on file on the camp premises and make plans available for inspection by any camper, camper's parent or guardian, or their agent.

D.

If a change is made to written procedures or written plans that are required in this chapter, the camp operator must submit updated procedures or plans within fourteen (14) days of the proposed change along with applicable fee to the Department.

E.

If a children's day camp elects to change operations to include one or more specialized recreational activities, or overnight stays, a new registration or public health permit application must be submitted and approved prior to the implementation of any changes, as specified in this chapter.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

All children's camps must have a director, as defined in Section 11.08.055, who is at least twenty-five (25) years old, present at the camp when campers are present. The director may designate a counselor who is at least twenty-one (21) years old and has at least two (2) years of experience as a counselor as acting director while the director is offsite. The acting director may only serve in that capacity for twenty-five percent (25%) of the daily duration of camp operations or during passive activities.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

In addition to the requirements of CCR Title 17, section 30751(a), all individuals over the age of eighteen (18) who work or volunteer at a children's camp must obtain both a satisfactory criminal history record check from the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Criminal Identification, and the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Registry, and must follow mandated reporter requirements.

B.

The director of a children's camp must provide a written statement verifying the director's review for each individual as set forth in subsection A above, and documentation of the criminal history record check of the director.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

All counselors, qualified persons as defined in Section 11.08.250, and the director must provide and maintain satisfactory evidence that they are trained in the principles of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), with such evidence of the counselors' or qualified persons' training verified by the director.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

All children's camps shall have a sufficient number of counselors to supervise and ensure the safety of campers.

B.

Except as set forth in subsection C and D below, when campers are present, there shall be the following:

At least one (1) counselor for every twelve (12) campers ages three (3) to five (5) years old.

At least one (1) counselor for every fifteen (15) campers ages six (6) and above.

C.

When campers ages six (6) and above are present during passive activities as defined in Section 11.08.080, there shall be at least one (1) counselor for every 25 campers. Supervision ratios as set forth in subsection B above must be reinstated at the conclusion of the passive activity.

D.

When campers ages three (3) to five (5) years old are present during specialized recreational activities as defined in Section 11.08.060, they must be supervised by counselors who are age eighteen (18) or older, and there shall be at least one (1) counselor for every six (6) campers. When campers above age six (6) are present during specialized recreational activities, they must be supervised by at least one (1) counselor for every eight (8) campers. Supervision ratios as set forth in subsection B above may be reinstated at the conclusion of the specialized recreational activity.

E.

The minimum number of counselors as set forth in this section must be maintained for offsite trips, except that no fewer than two (2) counselors must be present during any offsite trip.

F.

When campers are present at, near or in a pool, lake, stream, river, or ocean, counselors shall be poolside, beachfront or in the water and provide direct visual surveillance of campers at all times.

G.

All staff and counselors shall receive training on minimizing the potential of one (1) counselor being present and alone with one (1) camper and not visible to other counselors and campers.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

A children's camp shall establish and retain onsite a written site-specific camper health plan that is appropriate to the population serviced and the environment of the camp location or site.

B.

The camper health plan shall be developed in consultation with, and reviewed annually by, a licensed physician.

C.

The camper health plan shall cover all of the following subjects:

Procedures for camper health screening;

Arrangements for on-call health care consultation services;

Arrangements for emergency health care services and emergency transportation to a health care facility;

First aid and health care supplies;

The storage and administration of camper prescription and non-prescription drugs and medications;

Medical procedures for camper trips away from the camp location or site;

Procedures for daily observation of each camper's physical health;

Procedures for prompt response and notification of the camper's designated emergency contact;

Procedures for camper medical privacy. The place of medical examination or isolation shall ensure privacy and not be located in, or directly adjacent to, a food storage, preparation, or serving area; and

Procedures for preventing disease transmission/universal precautions.

D.

The camp operator or director must report any of the following within 24 hours to the Department:

Any occurrence of foodborne illness, suspected foodborne illness, or any other reportable disease in CCR Title 17, section 2500 (j); and

Any death, or any accident or illness of campers or staff members that results in an overnight stay in a hospital or clinic.

E.

All camp staff and counselors shall receive training on the camper health plan.

F.

The local health officer, when necessary for the protection of the health of campers and staff members, may require special inoculations and testing for each camper and staff member entering camp and may require proof of such compliance.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

A children's day camp shall have a qualified person on duty and present at the camp location or site when campers are present. The qualified person is charged with ensuring compliance with the camper health plan except as provided in section B. A "qualified person" is either the director or designee who otherwise meets the definition of director as defined in Section 11.08.055, is in compliance with first aid and CPR training requirements of Section 11.08.235, and is trained to implement the camper health plan.

B.

A children's overnight camp, or a children's day camp that is located in a rural or wilderness area, as defined in Section 7.16.050.B.1, shall ensure that a full-time adult health supervisor, as defined in CCR Title 17, section 30700, charged with health supervision be present when campers are present.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

Every camper and staff member attending a children's camp shall furnish a health status and history that is completed and signed by the individual camper or staff member, or by the parent or guardian if the camper or staff member is under the age of eighteen (18). This health status and history shall be kept onsite as long as the camper or staff member is at camp and shall include the following:

A description of any health condition requiring medication, treatment, special restriction, or consideration while at camp;

A record of immunizations including date of the last tetanus shot; and

A record of any allergies.

B.

A signed statement by a parent or guardian to seek emergency medical treatment shall be provided for each camper and staff member under eighteen (18) years of age.

C.

A medical logbook shall be maintained by the camp operator or director which includes at least the following information for each accident, injury, or illness involving a camper or staff member:

Name of the person treated;

Dosage and intervals of any medication dispensed;

First aid or medical treatment rendered;

Name of the person administering the first aid or medical treatment;

Date and time of treatment; and

Date parent/guardian notified of accident, illness, or injury.

D.

Camp staff and counselors shall receive training on the camper health plan.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

A children's camp shall establish and retain onsite a written site-specific emergency plan, approved by the director, outlining procedures which deal with the following emergency situations:

Natural disasters;

Lost campers;

Fires;

Transportation emergencies;

Severe illnesses and injuries;

Unauthorized persons in the campsite or location;

Aquatic emergencies, as appropriate for the site; and

Other emergency situations, as appropriate for the site.

B.

The emergency plan shall include procedures for:

Evacuation of the campsite or location;

Control of vehicular traffic through the camp; and

Communication among persons at the site of an emergency, persons with nearby emergency medical facilities and the nearest fire station, and staff at the children's camp (both administrative and health staff).

C.

Camp staff, including the director and counselors shall be trained in implementing the emergency plan procedures.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A children's camp that offers specialized recreational activities as defined in Section 11.08.080, shall retain onsite a written site-specific specialized recreational activities plan that addresses the following:

A.

Supervisor qualifications and training;

B.

Staff skill verification criteria and process;

C.

Participant eligibility requirements;

D.

Equipment needed, maintenance, and repair;

E.

Activity area design and safety procedures including access and control; and

F.

For aquatic activities:

Testing and classification of each camper according to aquatic ability before the camper engages in an aquatic activity. All campers and staff are considered non-swimmers unless tested and classified.

Camper participation only in aquatic activities appropriate to a camper's swim classification, except during formal instruction.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A children's camp shall establish and retain onsite a written site-specific transportation plan that addresses the following:

A.

Transportation of campers and staff for offsite activities;

B.

Transportation of campers and staff to a different location in case of emergency; and

C.

Transportation of campers for immediate medical care.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

All firearms and ammunition, when not in use for authorized camp activities, shall be stored and locked in a cabinet designated for this use. The key for this cabinet shall only be in the possession of the director, or a qualified designee who meets the requirements of a director as defined in Section 11.08.055.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)

A.

The children's camp shall not allow on camp premises unvaccinated dogs, or other animals that may cause injury or disease to campers.

B.

Pets or animals of any kind are not permitted at swimming or food service areas, unless the animal is a service animal.

(Ord. 2022-0031 § 30, 2022.)