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.
DCF 252.44(2)(a)
(a) Each day camp shall have a written policy on guiding children's behavior which provides for positive guidance, redirection and the setting of clear-cut limits. The policy shall be designed to help each child develop self-control, self-esteem, and respect for the rights of others.
DCF 252.44(2)(b)1.1. In this paragraph, “
time-out period” means a break from the large group that a counselor offers a child to provide the child an opportunity to calm and regain composure while being supported by the counselor.
DCF 252.44(2)(b)2.
2. A camp may use a time-out period to handle a child's unacceptable behavior only if all of the following conditions are met:
DCF 252.44(2)(b)2.a.
a. The counselor offers the child the time-out period in a non-humiliating manner.
DCF 252.44(2)(b)3.
3. The procedures for a time-out period shall be included in the camp guidance policy under par.
(a).
DCF 252.44(2)(c)
(c) Actions that may be psychologically, emotionally or physically painful, discomforting, dangerous or potentially injurious are prohibited. Examples of prohibited actions include:
DCF 252.44(2)(c)1.
1. Spanking, hitting, pinching, shaking, slapping, twisting, throwing or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment.
DCF 252.44(2)(c)2.
2. Verbal abuse, threats or derogatory remarks about the child or the child's family.
DCF 252.44(2)(c)3.
3. Physical restraint, binding or tying to restrict movement or enclosing in a confined space such as a closet, locked room, box or similar cubicle.
DCF 252.44(2)(d)
(d) Children shall not be punished for lapses in toilet training.
DCF 252.44(3)(a)
(a) The camp shall provide program equipment and furnishings in a variety and quantity that allows staff to implement activities outlined in the written policy on program objectives and activities required under s.
DCF 252.41 (1) (f) 5. and meets all of the following criteria:
DCF 252.44(3)(a)2.
2. Provides construction activities and for the development of manipulative skills.
DCF 252.44(3)(b)
(b) All equipment and furnishings, whether or not owned by the camp, shall be:
DCF 252.44(3)(b)1.
1. Scaled to the developmental level, size and ability of the children.
DCF 252.44(3)(b)2.
2. Safe, durable, of sturdy construction with no sharp, rough, loose, protruding, pinching or pointed edges, or areas of entrapment, in good operating condition, and anchored when necessary.
DCF 252.44(3)(b)3.
3. Placed to avoid danger of accident and collision and to permit freedom of action.
DCF 252.44(3)(b)4.
4. Used in accordance with all manufacturer's instructions and any manufacturer's recommendations that may affect the safety of children in care.
DCF 252.44(3)(c)
(c) Equipment and materials which reflect an awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity shall be provided.
DCF 252.44(3)(d)
(d) No trampolines or inflatable bounce surfaces on the premises may be accessible to children or used by children in care.
DCF 252.44(4)
(4) Rest. When a session is more than 4 hours in length, there shall be a rest period or period of quiet activities of at least 30 minutes for all children under 5 years of age.
DCF 252.44(5)(a)(a) Food shall be provided in accordance with Table DCF 252.44 which is based on the amount of time children are present. Food may be served at flexible intervals, but no child may go without nourishment for longer than 3 hours.
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See PDF for table 
DCF 252.44(5)(b)
(b) Camp-provided transportation time shall be included in determining the total number of hours a child is present for the purpose of par.
(a).
DCF 252.44(5)(c)
(c) Food allergies of specific children shall be reported to cooks, counselors and substitutes having direct contact with children.
DCF 252.44(5)(d)1.
1. Be posted in the kitchen and in a conspicuous place accessible to parents.
DCF 252.44(5)(d)2.
2. Be planned at least one week in advance, dated and kept on file for 3 months.
DCF 252.44(5)(e)
(e) At a minimum, each meal and snack provided to children shall meet the U.S. department of agriculture child and adult care food program minimum meal requirements for amounts and types of food. Additional portions of vegetables, fruits, bread, and milk shall be available.
DCF 252.44(5)(f)
(f) When food for a child is provided by the child's parent, the camp shall provide the parent with information about requirements for food groups and quantities specified by the U.S. department of agriculture child and adult care food program minimum meal requirements.
DCF 252.44(5)(g)
(g) A special diet, based on a medical condition, excluding food allergies, but including nutrient concentrates and supplements, may be served only upon written instruction of a child's physician and upon request of the parent. A special diet based on a food allergy may be served upon the written request of the parent.
