Chapter DCF 252

DCF 252.42(1)(a)2. 2. Documentation of any pertinent certification or training required for the position, including department-approved training in abusive head trauma, and appropriate ways to manage crying, fussing, or distraught children prior to beginning to work with children in care, if the person will provide care to children under 5 years of age.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)3. 3. Documentation from the department, either paper or electronic, that indicates a child care background check was completed in compliance with the timelines and requirements specified in s. 48.686, Stats., and ch. DCF 13 and the person is eligible to work in a child care program.

DCF 252.42 Note Note: Information on child care background checks is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccbgcheck.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)4. 4. Documentation of successful completion of pre-camp training.

DCF 252.42 Note Note: The licensee may use the department’s form, Pre-camp Training Documentation - Day Camps, or the licensee’s own form to document the successful completion of pre-camp training. The form is available on the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)5. 5. Documentation of the days and hours worked when the person was included in the counselor-to-child ratio.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)6. 6. Documentation of a high school diploma or its equivalent as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.

DCF 252.42(1)(b) (b) The licensee shall maintain a listing at the base camp of the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be notified in the event of an emergency involving an employee.

DCF 252.42(1)(c) (c) The licensee shall maintain a staff record that meets the requirements specified in par. (a) 1. to 6. for each student teacher or person who works at the camp and is compensated from sources other than the camp.

DCF 252.42(2) (2) Camp staff.

DCF 252.42(2)(a) (a) Camp staff members, including the camp director, counselors, and volunteers, shall be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to provide responsible care for all children, including children with disabilities.

DCF 252.42(2)(b) (b)

DCF 252.42(2)(b)1. 1. Each day camp shall have a person designated as camp director. The camp director shall be responsible for the administration of the camp, including program operations, staff supervision, business operations, food service, health service, and other supportive services.

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2. 2. A camp director shall be at least 21 years of age and shall have at least one of the following:

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2.a. a. The Wisconsin Afterschool and Youth Development Credential.

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2.b. b. A bachelor’s degree in outdoor education, recreation, coaching, juvenile justice, social work, psychology, child development, or education, or another camp-related field.

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2.c. c. Two or more years of supervisory or administrative experience in an organized camp or children’s program.

DCF 252.42(2)(d) (d) Counselors who are counted in determining the counselor-to-child ratio shall be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or the equivalent, as determined by the department of public instruction.

DCF 252.42(2)(e) (e) In the absence of a regular staff member, there shall be a similarly qualified staff member or substitute to replace the absent staff member.

DCF 252.42(3) (3) Staff training.

DCF 252.42(3)(a) (a) Each day camp shall develop a written pre-camp training plan. A copy of the plan shall be submitted to the department and implemented. The plan shall include all of the following:

DCF 252.42(3)(a)1. 1. A review of the applicable parts of this chapter.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)2. 2. A review of camp policies and procedures, as required under s. DCF 252.41 (1) (f).

DCF 252.42(3)(a)3. 3. Job responsibilities in relation to job descriptions.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)4. 4. Training in the recognition of childhood illnesses and infectious disease control, including handwashing procedures and universal precautions for handling bodily fluids.

DCF 252.42 Note Note: A copy of the universal precautions may be obtained from the Child Care Information Center by calling 800-362-7353 or from the Occupational Health Section, Bureau of Public Health, Department of Health Services, 1 W. Wilson St. Madison, WI 53703.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)5. 5. Daily activity plans and schedules.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)6. 6. First aid procedures.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)7. 7. A review of plans required under ss. DCF 252.41 (1) (f) 7. and 8. and 252.43 (2), including the plans for a missing child, fire, or tornado, and for supervision when children are swimming, if applicable.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)8. 8. The procedure for ensuring that camp counselors know the children assigned to their care and their whereabouts at all times.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)9. 9. Training in the use of fire extinguishers and recognition of local poisonous plants, snakes, and other potential hazards on the premises, and procedures to be followed to protect the children from these hazards.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)10. 10. A review of child abuse and neglect laws and the camp reporting procedures under s. DCF 252.07 (3).

DCF 252.42(3)(a)11. 11. Information on the care of children with disabilities enrolled in the camp and the procedure for sharing information related to a child’s special health care needs, including any physical, emotional, social, or cognitive disabilities with any person who may be assigned to care for that child throughout the day.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)12. 12. Child management techniques.

DCF 252.42(3)(a)13. 13. For any person who will be providing care and supervision to children under 5 years of age, department-approved training in shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma and appropriate ways to manage crying, fussing, or distraught children.

DCF 252.42(3)(b) (b) All counselors and volunteers who are counted in determining the counselor-to-child ratio shall receive pre-camp training. The pre-camp training shall be for a minimum of 24 hours and shall include orientation at the base camp.

DCF 252.42(3)(c) (c) Volunteers who are not counted as counselors for meeting the required counselor-to-child ratio are exempt from the 24-hour pre-camp training if all of the following conditions are met:

DCF 252.42(3)(c)1. 1. The volunteer receives at least 4 hours of training in day camp programming, as required under par. (a), including orientation at the base camp.

DCF 252.42(3)(c)2. 2. The volunteer works under the supervision of a counselor who has met the training requirements specified in par. (b).

DCF 252.42(3)(d) (d) The camp director shall plan and implement monthly staff meetings that provide ongoing supervision and in-service training for the staff.

DCF 252.42(3)(e) (e) All camp staff in regular contact with the children, including the camp director and each counselor, shall obtain and maintain a current certificate of completion for child and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including department-approved training in the use of an automatic external defibrillator prior to working with children in care. The CPR training may be included in pre-camp training.

DCF 252.42(3)(f) (f) The camp director shall coordinate the volunteer program and keep on file documentation of the days and hours worked for volunteers who are included for meeting the required counselor-to-child ratio.

DCF 252.42(4) (4) Health.

DCF 252.42(4)(a) (a) No licensee, employee, volunteer, visitor, or parent with symptoms of a communicable disease reportable under ch. DHS 145 or a serious illness that presents a safety or health risk to children may be in contact with the children in care.

DCF 252.42(4)(b) (b)

DCF 252.42(4)(b)1. 1. No licensee, employee, volunteer, visitor, or parent whose behavior gives reasonable concern for the safety of the children may be in contact with the children in care.

DCF 252.42(4)(b)2. 2. The department may require a licensee, employee or other person in contact with the children in care whose behavior gives reasonable concern for the safety of children to submit to an examination by a licensed mental health professional as a condition of licensure or employment.

DCF 252.42(4)(c) (c) No person with a health history of typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, or other diarrheal disease may work in a camp until it is determined by appropriate tests that the person is not a carrier of the disease.

DCF 252.42 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1984, No. 346, eff. 11-1-84; CR 04-040: cr. (2) (a) 11. Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 1-1-05; correction in (2) (a) 7. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 07-102: am. (1) (a), (c), (d), (2) (a) (intro.), 1. to 4., (b), (c) (intro.), 1., 2., (d), (3) (title), (a), (b), (d), (e) and (4) (title), r. and recr. (2) (a) 7. to 11., (3) (c) and (f), cr. (2) (a) 12., 13., (e) to (g), (3) (g) to (k), (4) (b), (c) and Table, renum. (4) to be (4) (a) and am. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; corrections in (2) (a) 2., 7., (3) (b), (f), (k), (4) (a) and Table made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2008 No. 636; EmR1918: emerg. r. and recr., eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: r. and recr. Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; CR 21-100: am. (1) (a) (intro.), 2., 3., (3) (a) 10. Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23.

DCF 252.425 DCF 252.425 Supervision and grouping of children.

DCF 252.425(1) (1) Supervision.

DCF 252.425(1)(a) (a) Each child shall be supervised at all times to guide the child’s behavior and activities, prevent harm, and ensure safety.

DCF 252.425(1)(b) (b) All children in care shall be assigned to a counselor. The camp shall implement a procedure to ensure that the number, names, and whereabouts of children in care are known to the assigned camp counselor at all times.

DCF 252.425(1)(c) (c)

DCF 252.425(1)(c)1. 1. Counselors who are included for meeting the required counselor-to-child ratio may not provide care to children more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period.

DCF 252.425(1)(c)2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., camps that provide an occasional overnight activity for children enrolled in the camp may allow a counselor to provide care for children for more than 12 hours in the 24-hour period to permit the counselor to remain with the children during the overnight session.

DCF 252.425(1)(d) (d) No licensee, employee, volunteer, or other individual in contact with children may consume alcoholic beverages or any non-prescribed controlled substance specified in ch. 961 Stats., on the premises of the camp or be under the influence of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance, during the hours of the camp’s operation.

DCF 252.425(1)(e) (e) A child may not be released to any person who has not been previously authorized by the parent.

DCF 252.425(1)(f) (f) The camp shall implement a procedure to contact a parent if a child is absent from the camp without prior notification from the parent.

DCF 252.425(1)(g) (g) A child may not be in care for more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period.

DCF 252.425(1)(h) (h) The camp director shall be at the camp during the hours of operation, except if any of the following conditions are met:

DCF 252.425(1)(h)1. 1. The camp director is on a field trip with all of the children.

DCF 252.425(1)(h)2. 2. The camp director is on a field trip with some of the children and has a reliable method of communicating easily with the camp.

DCF 252.425(1)(h)3. 3. Another qualified person that is identified in the written delegation of administrative authority under s. DCF 252.41 (1) (p) is present at the camp and is authorized to make decisions for the camp.

DCF 252.425(1)(i) (i) When 9 or more children are present at the camp, there shall be at least 2 adults available at all times and at least one of the adults shall be a counselor.

DCF 252.425(2) (2) Grouping of children.

DCF 252.425(2)(a) (a)

DCF 252.425(2)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 4., the ratio of counselors to children may not be less than the minimum number of counselors to children specified in Table DCF 252.425.

 TABLE DCF 252.425
COUNSELOR-TO-CHILD RATIO FOR CHILDREN IN A DAY CAMP

- See PDF for table

DCF 252.425(2)(a)2. 2. When there is a mixed-age group, the counselor-to-child ratio shall be adjusted on a pro rata basis, according to age.

DCF 252.425 Note Note: The department’s form, Counselor-to-Child Ratio Worksheet may be used to prorate the staff-to-child ratio for mixed age groups. Information on how to obtain forms is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 252.425(2)(a)4. 4. When 9 or more children are on a field trip, at least 2 adults shall accompany the children. The counselor-to-child ratios in Table DCF 252.425 shall be met on field trips.

DCF 252.425(2)(b) (b) Support staff, such as maintenance, clerical, housekeeping, and food service staff, may only be considered in determining counselor–to–child ratios if the support staff meet the qualifications of a camp counselor and are giving full attention to the care and supervision of children.

DCF 252.425(2)(c) (c) A camp counselor may not engage in any duties that are not related to caring for children while he or she is counted in meeting the required counselor–to–child ratios.

DCF 252.425(2)(d) (d) Children of staff who attend the camp and who are on the premises for supervision and care shall be counted in the determination of counselor-to-child ratios.

DCF 252.425 History History: EmR1918: emerg. cr., eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: cr. Register March 2020 No. 770, eff. 4-1-20; correction in (2) (a) 1. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2020 No. 770; CR 21-100: r. (2) (a) 3. Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23; correction in (2) (a) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2023 No. 806.

DCF 252.43 DCF 252.43 Base camp and facilities.

DCF 252.43(1) (1) Site and building.

DCF 252.43(1)(a) (a) The licensee shall identify a base camp that provides an environment that allows the program to be oriented to the out-of-doors. The base camp shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

DCF 252.43(1)(b) (b) The base camp shall have a building or shelter for use by the camp during inclement weather. If the shelter is not enclosed, the camp shall implement a procedure for ensuring that children are protected from the elements.

DCF 252.43(1)(c) (c) The base camp shall be located on a well-drained site not subject to flooding. The premises shall be properly graded to prevent the accumulation of storm or other waters that may create hazards to the property or to the health or safety of the occupants. No camp may be located in an area that is situated so that drainage for any source of filth, such as garbage or animal waste disposal, can be deposited on the site.

DCF 252.43 Note Note: Local authorities should be consulted to obtain any required zoning clearances or building permits. Chapter NR 115 and s. NR 116.12 (2) (b) may affect the camp’s location with regard to flood plains and shore land areas.

DCF 252.43(1)(d) (d) Buildings and shelters on sites used or constructed primarily for day camp purposes shall comply with the applicable Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and applicable local ordinances. A copy of the building inspection report shall be on file with the department.

DCF 252.43 Note Note: Local authorities should be consulted to obtain any required zoning clearances or building permits.

DCF 252.43(1)(e) (e) All buildings and structures used by children for day camp purposes shall have not less than 2 plainly marked exits that are free of obstruction.

DCF 252.43(1)(f) (f) The base camp premises and any structures used by children on the premises shall be free of litter, safe, well maintained, in good repair, and clean.

DCF 252.43(1)(g) (g) If the base camp includes an enclosed building used by children, the inside temperature of the building may not be less than 67 degrees Fahrenheit. If the inside temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the licensee shall provide for air circulation with fans or by other means.

DCF 252.43(1)(h) (h) Painted exterior and interior surfaces accessible to children shall be free of flaking or deteriorating paint and finished with lead-free paint or other non-toxic material.