A Guide to Recreational Camps

Regulation 568/R.R.O., 1990

Amended to O. Reg. 603/91

Introduction

This guide highlights requirements set out in the regulation for purposes of simplification and easy reference. This fact sheet focuses on the camp itself and does not include the sections of the regulation on Food Preparation / Storage and Water Safety. The wording of the regulation supersedes this guide and should be referred to for detailed interpretation.

A.                 Camp Classification - (Section 1)

CLASS A     -    a camp for recreational activities consisting of one or more tents, cabins, vehicles, buildings or other structures together with the land appertaining thereto, established or maintained as living quarters with or without charge for ten or more persons, for temporary occupancy of five or more days. Camp is operated in conjunction with public institution such as Y.M.C.A., Girl Guides of Ontario or a sports camp.

CLASS B     -     a camp established for his or her family and guests, camp consists of tents erected on a site together with the land appertaining thereto where sleeping, eating, cooking or other activities take place in the tents or in the open and where the tents are established or maintained as living quarters with or without charge for ten or more persons, for temporary occupancy of five or more days.
 

B.                 Notice of Camp Opening

1. New recreational camps must provide written notice to the Grey Bruce Health Unit concerning the intention to operate a recreational camp. This must be done sixty days before the camp is to be opened. (Section 3(1)).
    

2. Existing camps closed for more than thirty days must notify the Grey Bruce Health Unit of the proposed re-opening at least fourteen days prior opening for another season for operation. (Section 3(2)).
    

C.                 Camp Location and Maintenance

1. Camp must be maintained and located in area so as to be free from any condition that may endanger the health or safety of the campers or employees of the camp. (Section 4).
    

2. Operator of camp must ensure that every person living in a camp or employed in a camp is free of any communicable disease or any infectious agent. (Section 5).
    

D.                Camp Staff

1. Operator of camp must ensure that campers in each camp are under the continuous supervision of an adult who has experience in administration and leadership in a recreational camp. (Section 6).
    

2. One of the following persons must be present in each camp (Section 7(1)):

1. A physician.

2. A registered nurse.

3. A person who is certified in first aid.
   
    

3. If a physician is not at the camp, the operator must ensure that the services of a physician can be quickly obtained. (Section 7(2)).
    

4. All animals on camp site must have been immunized against rabies at least thirty days and not more than fifteen months prior to the animal being at the camp. (Section 7(3)).

 
E.                 Camp Accommodation

1. Sleeping quarters in a CLASS A camp must have a minimum floor area of 3.72 square metres per camper and 2.79 square metres per camper when single, double or triple bunk beds are used. (Section 8(1)).
    

2. When tents are used the number of people in a tent must not exceed the manufacturer's recommended limits. (Section 8(2)).
    

F.                  Fire Protection

1. All CLASS A camps must provide smoke alarms in each permanent building used for sleeping. Section 11(1)).
    

2. All CLASS A camps must provide an operational fire extinguisher in each permanent building. (Section 11(2)).
    

3. All camp operators must ensure there are written procedures to be used in the event of a fire and that campers and staff are trained in these procedures. (Section 11(3)).

G.        Water Supply

1. Camp operator must ensure that water supply to camp is from a potable source. (Section 12(1)(C)).
    

2. If necessary, a camp operator must treat the water to render it safe for consumption. (Section 12(3)).

 
H.    Sanitary Facilities / Washrooms

1. Camp operator must provide one separate washroom for male and female campers and staff (Section 14(2)).
    

2. One toilet provided for every ten campers of each sex. (Section 14(3)).
    

3. One washbasin provided for every five campers of each sex. (Section 14(4)).
    

4. Urinals may be counted as toilets for male use but must not exceed fifty percent of the number of toilets. (Section 14(5)).
    

5. Every sanitary facility / washroom in a recreational camp shall (Section 15(1 a-d)):

1. Have self-closing, tight-fitting windows and doors.

2. Have screened doors and windows.

3. Have adequate ventilation

4. Be in sanitary condition.
    

6. All toilet seats shall be thoroughly scrubbed daily with a sanitizing solution. (Section 15(2)).
    

7. Every washroom shall be supplied with (Section 16a-f):

1. Toilet paper.

2. Garbage pail.

3. Supply of soap in a dispenser.

4. Paper towels or hot air dryer.

5. Hot and cold water or supply of cold water that contains a disinfectant.

6. In out-houses a supply of commercially packaged single-use moist hand towelettes or a supply of cold water that contains a disinfectant.

I.       Laundry Operations

1. Operators must ensure that laundry operations at camps are not carried out in a river, lake, stream or brook adjacent to or within the camp. (Section 17).

For further information regarding the requirements for Recreational Camps please contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit.