Chapter DCF 252

DCF 252.44(7)(b)6. 6. The waterfront supervisor or person acting as the waterfront supervisor may not be included when determining counselor-to-child ratios during any period when children are in the water.

DCF 252.44(7)(c) (c) Swimming procedures.

DCF 252.44(7)(c)1. 1. The swimming ability of each child shall be assessed by either the parent or the camp. Documentation of the assessment shall be kept in the child's file.

DCF 252.44(7)(c)2. 2. Children shall be restricted to swimming areas within their swimming classification.

DCF 252.44(7)(d) (d) Boating prohibited in swimming areas. Except in an emergency, no rowboat, canoe, motor boat or other craft, except a lifeboat used by lifeguards, is permitted in a swimming area, pursuant to s. 30.68 (7), Stats.

DCF 252.44(8) (8) Boats.

DCF 252.44(8)(a) (a) In this section, “boat” means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, including canoes, kayaks, large inner tubes, inflatable boats, paddleboards, and sailboards. Small inflatable toys such as swim rings and air mattresses are not considered “boats” under this definition.

DCF 252.44(8)(am) (am) All boats shall comply with ch. NR 5.

DCF 252.44(8)(b) (b) Each occupant of a boat shall wear a type I or II coast guard-approved personal flotation device which is appropriate to the weight of the person wearing it as specified in s. 30.62 (3) (a), Stats., and s. NR 5.13.

DCF 252.44(8)(c) (c) There shall be at least one adult in each boat who is a competent swimmer as determined by the waterfront supervisor. When children are using single-seat boats, such as kayaks, a counselor who is a competent swimmer shall be close enough to the children to provide assistance if necessary.

DCF 252.44(8)(d) (d) Children who have not demonstrated advanced swimming skills shall be limited to the use of the rowboats only.

DCF 252.44(8)(e) (e) All boats, oars and paddles shall be in good repair and inspected annually for safety.

DCF 252.44(9) (9) Firearms and archery. Firearms and archery equipment may not be used by children under 7 years of age. When firearms and archery equipment are used by children 7 years of age and older, the following precautions shall apply:

DCF 252.44(9)(a) (a) The archery or shooting range may be used only under the supervision of a trained adult instructor who holds a certification in bowhunter or hunter safety, respectively.

DCF 252.44(9)(b) (b) Other program activities shall be in an area away from the designated archery or shooting range. The range shall be fenced in with rope or wire and marked with danger signs or flags.

DCF 252.44(9)(c) (c) Firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment shall be stored under lock and key when not in use.

DCF 252.44(9)(d) (d) All firearms, archery equipment, and unused ammunition shall be returned to the instructor.

DCF 252.44(10) (10) Tools.

DCF 252.44(10)(a) (a) Power tools shall not be used by children under 7 years of age.

DCF 252.44(10)(b) (b) Children under 7 years of age shall not be allowed in areas where power tools are in use.

DCF 252.44(10)(c) (c) When power tools and other tools are not in use, they shall be stored in an area not accessible to children.

DCF 252.44(11) (11) Horseback riding.

DCF 252.44(11)(a) (a) This subsection shall apply whether the camp owns, rents, or leases horses.

DCF 252.44(11)(b) (b) Children may ride horseback only in a ring or other enclosed area.

DCF 252.44(11)(c) (c) The riding tack shall be maintained in good repair to provide maximum safety for children. It shall be appropriate to the age, size, and ability of the rider.

DCF 252.44(11)(d) (d) Horseback riding shall be specifically covered by the camp's liability insurance.

DCF 252.44(12) (12) Field trips. For field trips away from the base camp:

DCF 252.44(12)(a) (a) Staff shall carry emergency contact information and signed parental permission for the emergency medical care of all children on the field trip.

DCF 252.44(12)(b) (b) The counselor-to-child ratio under Table DCF 252.425 shall be maintained, except that the number of adults accompanying children away from the base camp shall be no fewer than 2.

DCF 252.44(12)(c) (c) A planned source of emergency medical care in the area to be visited shall be known to staff.

DCF 252.44(12)(d) (d) A list of children participating in the field trip shall be maintained by the camp director and a counselor accompanying the children.

DCF 252.44(12)(e) (e) Parents shall be notified in advance of the times and location of each field trip.

DCF 252.44(12)(f) (f) First aid supplies shall be taken on all field trips.

DCF 252.44(13) (13) Adventure-based activities.

DCF 252.44(13)(a) (a) This subsection applies whether the camp owns, rents, or leases equipment used in adventure-based activities. Adventure-based activities include but are not limited to experiences such as ropes or challenge courses, hiking and rock climbing.

DCF 252.44(13)(b) (b) The licensee shall ensure that personnel leading and providing training to children are trained and have experience for the type of adventure-based experience they are supervising.

DCF 252.44(13)(c) (c) Equipment used in adventure-based activities shall be properly installed, maintained in good condition and working order and appropriate to the size, developmental and ability level of the children using the equipment.

DCF 252.44(13)(d) (d) Before a child is permitted to participate in an adventure-based activity, the licensee shall ensure that the child's medical history does not prohibit participation in the type of activity planned. If there is a question about a child's ability to participate for medical reasons, the licensee shall not permit participation without the written approval of the child's physician and written authorization from the child's parent.

DCF 252.44(13)(e) (e) Counselor-to-child ratios shall be adequate to manage and supervise the adventure-based activity based upon the number of children participating and type of activity. At no time, shall the counselor-to-child ratio be less than that specified in Table DCF 252.425.

DCF 252.44 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1984, No. 346, eff. 11-1-84; corrections in (7) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; corrections in (6) (d) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, July, 1997, No. 499; corrections in (7) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, July, 1999, No. 523; CR 04-040: am. (5) (d) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 1-1-05; corrections in (2) (b), (3) (a), (5) (a), (6) (d) 1., (e) 1. d., (7) (b) 2. and (12) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 07-102: am. (1) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., 4. to 6., (b) 1., (2) (a), (c) 1. to 4., (3) (b) 1., 2., (4), (5) (a), (6) (a) 1., 2., (b) (title), (c) 1., 2. a., (d) 1., 3., (e) 1. a., b., d., 3., (f) 1. a. to d., f., 2., (g), (7) (b) (title), (intro.), (c) 1., (e), (8) (b) to (d), (9) (intro.), (a) to (c), (12) (intro.) and (a) to (d), r. and recr. (1) (a) 3., (2) (b), (c) (intro.), (5) (d) to (g), (6) (e) 1. (intro.), (7) (title), (b) 1. b., (8) (title) and (9) (d), cr. (1) (a) 7. to 9., (b) 3. to 7., (2) (c) 5., (3) (a) 1. to 5., (c), (d), (5) (d) 1. to 4., (6) (b) 1. to 5., (bm), (e) 4. to 7., (f) 1. i., (h) to (j), (7) (a), (am) 2. b. to f., 4. to 6., (b) 4. to 6., (8) (a), (e), (12) (e), (f) and (13), renum. (3) (a), (6) (b), (7) (a) 1., 3., 4. and (8) (a) to be (3) (a) (intro.), (6) (b) (intro.), (7) (am) 1., 2. a., 3. and (8) (am) and am., r. (6) (d) 2., (e) 1. c., (f) 1. e., g., 3., (7) (a) 2. and (c) 3. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; corrections in (3) (a) (intro.), (5) (a), (6) (bm), (d), (e) 1. d., (f) 2., (h), (7) (am) 1., 6., (12) (b) and (13) (e) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2008 No. 636; correction in (7) (am) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673; correction in (6) (bm) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register April 2015 No. 712; correction in (7) (am) 1., 6. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register July 2016 No. 727; EmR1918: am. (2) (b), (3) (title), (a) (intro.), (b) (intro.), 2., cr. (3) (b) 4., r. and recr. (3) (d), (5) (title), (e), (f), r. (5) (h), renum. (6) (a) 1. to (6) (a), r. (6) (a) 2., r. and recr. (6) (c) (title), (d) 1., r. (6) (e) 1. d., 6., 7., r. and recr. (6) (f), (g), r. (6) (h), am. (6) (i) (title), 1., 5., cr. (6) (i) 7. to 9., am. (6) (j) 3., (7) (title), (am) 5., cr. (7) (b) 1m., am. (7) (b) 2., 3., cr. (7) (b) 5m., am. (7) (b) 6., r. (7) (e), am. (9) (intro.), (d), (11) (b), (12) (b), (13) (e), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: am. (2) (b), (3) (title), (a) (intro.), (b) (intro.), 2., cr. (3) (b) 4., r. and recr. (3) (d), (5) (title), (e), (f), r. (5) (h), renum. (6) (a) 1. to (6) (a), r. (6) (a) 2., r. and recr. (6) (c) (title), (d) 1., r. (6) (e) 1. d., 6., 7., r. and recr. (6) (f), (g), r. (6) (h), am. (6) (i) (title), 1., 5., cr. (6) (i) 7. to 9., am. (6) (j) 3., (7) (title), (am) 5., cr. (7) (b) 1m., am. (7) (b) 2., 3., cr. (7) (b) 5m., am. (7) (b) 6., r. (7) (e), am. (9) (intro.), (d), (11) (b), (12) (b), (13) (e) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; CR 21-100: am. (1) (a) (intro.), r. and recr. (2) (b), cr. (6) (e) 3m., am. (6) (f) 1., (g) 4., (8) (a), (9) (a) Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23; corrections in (2) (b) 1., 2. d. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2024 No. 817.