DCF 252.43(2)(b)
(b) Materials harmful to children, including drugs, pesticides, flammable or combustible materials, insecticides, matches, cleaning supplies, bleaches, and other hazardous, toxic, or poisonous materials shall be stored in the original, covered, and labeled container in areas not accessible to children. Power tools shall be stored so they are inaccessible to children.
DCF 252.43(2)(c)
(c) A motor vehicle shall be immediately available at the camp in case of emergency if a public or private rescue or emergency vehicle cannot arrive at the camp within 10 minutes of a phone call.
DCF 252.43(2)(d)
(d) Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the premises or in a vehicle used to transport children when children are in care.
DCF 252.43(2)(e)
(e) The camp shall have a working telephone at the camp during the hours of operation. A list of emergency telephone numbers, including fire, law enforcement, and poison control shall be in a location known to all camp counselors. In this paragraph, “telephone” does not include a pay telephone requiring payment to reach the operator or a telephone in a locked room.
DCF 252.43(3)(a)
(a) Each camp shall have a written plan for taking appropriate action in the event of an emergency situation, including a fire, tornado, or natural disaster, extreme heat or cold, lost or missing children, a missing swimmer, an accident, an illness, allergic reactions, human-caused events, such as threats to the premises or its occupants, or other circumstances requiring immediate attention. The plan shall include specific procedures that address all of the following:
DCF 252.43(3)(a)2.
2. Procedures for ensuring that the needs of children with disabilities are met.
DCF 252.43(3)(a)4.
4. Connecting children with their parents if the camp is required to evacuate the premises.
DCF 252.43(3)(b)
(b) Each staff member shall be informed of and knowledgeable about his or her duties in the event of an emergency and appropriate evacuation routes.
DCF 252.43(3)(c)
(c) All fire protection facilities and equipment, including fire extinguishers, shall be operable and maintained in working order by a qualified person. Each fire extinguisher shall be inspected once per year by a qualified person and have a label indicating its present condition and the date of the last inspection.
DCF 252.43(3)(d)
(d) Before camp opens, written notification of the camp operation shall be given to the nearest fire department or forest ranger service for protection in case of fire. The notification shall include the dates the camp will be operational and the number and ages of children in care.
DCF 252.43(3)(e)
(e) Any necessary permits required for operation of incinerators or for open fires shall be secured and available for review by a licensing representative.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: The department recommends that the licensee contact the local municipality and the Department of Natural Resources prior to the camp opening to determine what permits are required.
DCF 252.43(3)(f)
(f) The clearing around open fires shall be free of burnable materials for a radius of 6 feet.
DCF 252.43(3m)(a)
(a) When meals are prepared or heated on the premises, the kitchen area shall be equipped with a microwave or stove, a refrigerator, a sink, and utensils that are necessary to prepare and serve meals. The sink shall be used exclusively for food preparation and dishwashing.
DCF 252.43(3m)(b)
(b) Camps preparing or serving only snacks are not required to have a sink unless dishes or utensils requiring dishwashing are used. Camps preparing or serving only snacks are not required to have a microwave or stove unless the snacks require heating.
DCF 252.43(3m)(c)
(c) All equipment and utensils used for preparing, serving, or storing food shall have smooth hard surfaces, be easily cleanable, in good repair, durable, non-toxic, and free of cracks, seams, chips, and roughened areas, and be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
DCF 252.43(3m)(e)
(e) Foods shall be stored at temperatures that protect against spoilage. Milk and other perishable food shall be maintained at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
DCF 252.43(3m)(f)
(f) Food shall be protected from potential contamination and adulteration, including dirt, insects, rodents, or animals. Dry foods, such as cereals, crackers, and pasta shall be stored in bags with zip-type closures or metal, glass, or food-grade plastic containers with tight-fitting covers and shall be labeled and dated. In this paragraph, “food-grade plastic” means any plastic material used in the manufacture of dishes or utensils which has been found not harmful to human health by the national sanitation foundation.
DCF 252.43(3m)(fm)
(fm) Food shall be clean, wholesome, free from spoilage, free from adulteration or misbranding, and safe for human consumption. Meat, poultry, fish, molluscan shellfish, eggs, and dairy products shall be from an inspected source.
DCF 252.43(3m)(g)
(g) Raw fruits and vegetables shall be washed before being served or cooked.
DCF 252.43(3m)(h)
(h) Meals shall be prepared at the base camp in a central kitchen operated by the camp or in another location that has been inspected by a representative of a state agency. Food delivery vehicles shall be equipped with clean containers or cabinets to store food while in transit. Containers for cold food shall be capable of maintaining the temperature at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and containers for hot food shall be capable of maintaining the temperature at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: The rules for retail food establishments are in ch.
ATCP 75.
DCF 252.43(3m)(i)
(i) Extra food that was prepared but not served shall be dated, refrigerated promptly, and used within 36 hours, or frozen immediately for use within 6 months.
DCF 252.43(4)(a)
(a) A safe supply of drinking water shall be available to children and staff at all times from a drinking fountain of the angle jet type or by use of a disposable or reusable cup or water bottle. Common use of drinkware is prohibited.
DCF 252.43(4)(b)
(b) If a camp gets its water from a private well, the camp shall comply with all of the following:
DCF 252.43(4)(b)1.a.a. At least 2 weeks prior to the camp opening each year, the camp shall have water samples from the well tested for total coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria using a laboratory certified by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection as specified in ch.
ATCP 77. The laboratory report shall be available to the department upon request.
DCF 252.43(4)(b)1.b.
b. If the water test results indicate the presence of total coliform or E. coli bacteria, the water system shall be appropriately disinfected or treated and retested until it is determined to be free of bacteria. An alternative source of water shall be used for drinking and preparing food until the well is free from bacteria.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: A list of laboratories certified to test for bacteria can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website:
www.dnr.wi.gov.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: Alternative sources of drinking water can include bottled water and water from a public water system that meets drinking water standards.
DCF 252.43(4)(b)2.a.a. At least 2 weeks prior to the camp opening each year, the camp shall have water samples from the well tested for nitrate using a laboratory certified under ch.
NR 149. The laboratory report shall be available to the department upon request.
DCF 252.43(4)(b)2.b.
b. If water test results indicate nitrate levels are above 10 mg/L, an alternative source of water shall be used for drinking and preparing food until nitrate levels are below 10 mg/L.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: A list of laboratories certified to test for nitrate can be found on DNR's website:
www.dnr.wi.gov.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: Alternative sources of drinking water include bottled water, water that has been treated with a device certified by the department of safety and professional services to remove nitrate, and water from a public water system that meets drinking water standards.
DCF 252.43(4)(b)3.a.a. The camp shall have the well tested for lead every five years using a laboratory certified by the department of natural resources under ch.
NR 149. The laboratory report shall be available to the department upon request.
DCF 252.43(4)(b)3.b.
b. If water test results indicate lead levels are above 15 micrograms per liter (
µg/L), an alternative source of water shall be used for drinking and preparing food until action is taken to reduce lead levels below 15
µg/L as confirmed by an additional water test.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: A list of laboratories certified to test for lead can be found on DNR's website:
www.dnr.wi.gov.
DCF 252.43 Note
Note: Alternative sources of drinking water include, but are not limited to, bottled water, and water from a source known to be low in lead, such as a public water system that meets drinking water standards.
DCF 252.43(4)(c)1.1. When running water is not available, a camp shall use a covered drinking water container that is all of the following:
DCF 252.43(4)(c)1.b.
b. Constructed of a food grade material that does not permit the water to become contaminated by dirt, insects, or animals.
DCF 252.43(5)(a)
(a) Handwashing and toileting facilities shall be provided and accessible to children.
DCF 252.43(5)(b)
(b) Single-use disposable towels shall be provided and accessible to children.
DCF 252.43(5)(c)
(c) Soap, toilet paper, and a wastepaper container shall be provided and accessible to children.
DCF 252.43(5)(d)
(d) Outdoor toilets, when used, shall be constructed according to the requirements of the applicable Wisconsin commercial building codes and maintained in good repair.
DCF 252.43(5)(f)
(f) Plumbing shall comply with all applicable sections of Wisconsin plumbing codes.
DCF 252.43(5)(g)
(g) Liquid waste disposal shall be connected to a public sewer, if available. If not available, liquid waste disposal shall be in accordance with chs.
SPS 382,
383, and
384.
DCF 252.43(5)(h)
(h) Handwashing and toilet facilities shall be in clean and sanitary condition.
DCF 252.43 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1984, No. 346, eff. 11-1-84; corrections in (1) (d) and (3) (e) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, July, 1999, No. 523;
CR 04-040: am. (1) (d) and cr. (2) (a) 8.
Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 1-1-05; correction in (3) (c) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register November 2008 No. 635;
CR 07-102: r. and recr. (1) (a) to (c), (2) (a) 4., 5. and (3) (c) 1., am. (1) (d), (e), (2) (a) 3., 6., 7., (b) 1. to 4., (3) (a) 1., 2., 4., 5., (b) 1. to 3., (c) 2., 5., (d) 1., 2., 3., (e) 2., 4., 6. and 7., cr. (1) (f), (g), (2) (a) 9., (3) (c) 6. to 8. and (d) 2m., r. (2) (a) 2. c. and (3) (c) 3.
Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; correction in (3) (d) 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2008 No. 636; correction in (3) (d) 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register August 2011 No. 668; correction in (3) (e) 7. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673;
EmR1918: emerg. r. and recr. (1) (f), cr. (1) (h) to (m), r. and recr. (2), (3), cr. (3m), (4), (5), eff. 1-30-19;
CR 19-089: r. and recr. (1) (f), cr. (1) (h) to (m), r. and recr. (2), (3), cr. (3m), (4), (5)
Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; correction in (2) (title) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats.,
Register 2020 No. 771;
CR 21-100: cr. (3) (fm), r. and recr. (4)
Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23; correction in (4) (c) 4. made under s. 35.17, Stats.,
Register January 2024 No. 817.
DCF 252.44(1)(a)(a) Each day camp shall have a written program of activities that shall be planned according to the developmental level of each child and each group of children and intended to expose children to a variety of cultures. The needs of children with disabilities shall be considered when planning the programming and activities for enrolled children. The program of activities shall focus on the outdoors and the natural environment and shall reflect the camp's written policies. The program shall provide each child with experiences that will promote all of the following:
DCF 252.44 Note
Note: With parental consent and consultation, it is recommended that camps who care for children who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) coordinate programming activities with the local school district.
DCF 252.44(1)(b)1.
1. Protect the children from excessive fatigue and from overstimulation.
DCF 252.44(1)(b)4.
4. Provide daily opportunities for children to play outdoors except during inclement weather or when not advisable for health reasons.
DCF 252.44(1)(b)5.
5. Provide reasonable regularity in eating, resting and other routines.
DCF 252.44(1)(b)6.
6. Provide daily periods when a variety of experiences are concurrently available for the children to select their own activities.
DCF 252.44(1)(b)7.
7. Limit the amount of time that children are kept waiting in lines or assembled in large groups during routines such as toileting and eating and intervals between activities.
