Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) As used in this rule:
(1) "Base camp" means the permanent or
semi-permanent structure at which the basic needs for camp operation, such as
resident housing, water supply and septic systems, permanent toilet and cooking
facilities, are provided.
(2)
"Mobile camp" means a portion of the base campsite premises or another site at
which the basic needs for camp operation, such as water supply systems,
permanent toilet and cooking facilities or other permanent structures, are not
provided and in which a child stays no longer than twenty-one days before
returning to the base camp.
(B) A private noncustodial agency (PNA)
operating as a private, nonprofit therapeutic wilderness camp (PNTWC) shall
comply with all applicable rules of Chapters 5101:2-5 and 5101:2-9 of the
Administrative Code. If there is a conflict between a requirement of any
provision in this rule or any provision of Chapter 5101:2-5 or 5101:2-9 of the
Administrative Code, the provisions of this rule shall take
precedence.
(C)
The person employed as the administrator of a private,
nonprofit therapeutic wilderness camp (PNTWC) is to meet at least one of the
following requirements:
(1)
At least six years of experience at a therapeutic
wilderness camp, including at least four years management or supervision of
child care personnel and other qualifications and experience as determined by
the governing body in writing.
(2)
An associate's
degree from a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting organization with at least four years of experience, including two
years management or supervision of child care personnel.
(3)
A bachelor's
degree from a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting organization.
(D) A PNTWC shall
provide a copy of a map for the entire camp to ODJFS.
(E)
Child care staff at a therapeutic wilderness camp shall, as part of the initial
orientation training requirements of rule
5101:2-9-03 of the
Administrative Code, obtain training in the following:
(1) Wilderness weather emergency and
precautions and procedures.
(2)
Water safety.
(F)
A PNTWC will ensure there is a child care staff
qualified in wilderness first aid to care for children both at base camp and on
excursions away from base camp.
(G) A base camp shall
comply with all inspection and safety standards of a residential facility set
forth in Chapter 5101:2-9 of the Administrative Code unless the requirements
are modified by this rule or statute. A mobile camp does not have to meet the
standards of Chapter 5101:2-9 of the Administrative Code, but it shall comply
with the additional requirements set forth in this rule.
(H) A
child shall meet the following criteria to be eligible for admittance to a
PNTWC:
(1) Be ten years old or older. The
PNTWC may admit a nine year old if the child has been evaluated by a certified
professional with no direct affiliation to the camp and the certified
professional approves the placement.
(a) For
children under age thirteen, the PNTWC shall only place the children in a
program component designed for this age group.
(b) Factors for determining the program
component for the child shall be, at a minimum:
(i) Age.
(ii) Developmental level.
(iii) Physical maturity.
(iv) Social maturity.
(v) Behavioral maturity.
(vi) Cognitive level.
(vii) Diagnosis, if any.
(viii) Individual needs of each
child.
(2) Be
experiencing emotional, behavioral, moral, social or learning difficulties as
reported by the parent or another relative having custody.
(3) Be willing to participate in the camp.
The agency shall document the child's willingness to attend the camp.
(I) A PNTWC shall not
admit:
(1) An adult.
(2) A child who is pregnant. If a child
becomes pregnant while in care, the camp shall arrange for the child's
immediate discharge.
(3) A minor
parent with his or her child.
(4) A
child with primary medical needs or other medical conditions that cannot be
easily provided to the child at the base campsite or during mobile camping
excursions.
(5) A child diagnosed
with a severe pervasive developmental disorder which would limit the child's
ability to function in the camp environment.
(6) A child for child day care
services.
(J) A child shall not
be left unsupervised at any time.
(K) A PNTWC shall
ensure that no child resides at the camp for more than twelve consecutive
months unless the camp has completed a full evaluation that determines the
child is not ready for reunification with the child's family or guardian. In
order to ensure the safety, health and care of a child residing longer than
twelve consecutive months, the PNTWC shall obtain:
(1) A report of a physical examination by a
licensed physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified
nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife. Any written documentation of
the physical examination shall be completed by the individual who conducted the
examination.
(2) A report of a
psychiatric or psychological examination conducted by a psychologist,
psychiatrist or other appropriately licensed professional with no direct
affiliation to the camp. Any written documentation of the psychiatric or
psychological examination shall be completed by the individual who conducted
the examination.
(L) A PNTWC shall
cooperate with any request from the director or designee for an inspection or
for access to records or written policies of the camp.
(M) A
PNTWC shall ensure that if there is a weather emergency or warning issued by
the national weather service in the camp's geographic area, the children will
be moved to a safe structure guarded from the weather event.
(N) A
PNTWC shall ensure that all sharp tools used in the camp, including axes and
knives, are locked unless in use by camp staff or otherwise under camp staff
supervision. All sharp tools used in the camp, including axes and knives shall
be locked during sleeping hours.
(O) A base camp may use
a wood burning stove for heating purposes if approved by the fire
inspector.
(P) A base camp shall
have a type of indoor and outdoor illumination available for all
structures.
(Q) A base camp is not
required to have a hand rail for dirt steps built into a hillside.
(R) A
base camp is not required to have a hand rail for bridges that are no longer
than eight feet and no higher than five feet from ground level.
(S) A
child shall have footwear, clothing and equipment to protect them from the
environment and weather conditions. This equipment shall never be removed,
denied, or made unavailable to a child. There shall never be a deprivation of
any equipment as a consequence for the child's inability to perform an
activity. Such equipment shall include:
(1)
Sunscreen.
(2) Insect
repellent.
(3) A backpack if hiking
on an excursion.
(4) Personal
hygiene items.
(5) Feminine hygiene
supplies.
(6) Waterproof
footwear.
(7) Sleeping bags for a
mobile camp:
(a) Sleeping bags rated for the
current seasonal conditions when the average nighttime temperature is forty
degrees fahrenheit or warmer.
(b)
Sleeping bags rated for the current seasonal conditions, shelter and ground pad
for colder months when the average nighttime temperature is thirty-nine degrees
fahrenheit or lower and basic clothing to ensure a child's protection against
seasonal change in the environment.
(8) The camp shall provide children with
clean clothing daily, launder clothing weekly and shall provide a means for
children to bathe or otherwise clean their bodies a minimum of one time per
day.
(T) Sleeping
arrangements at a base camp.
(1) Children of
the opposite sex shall not sleep in the same structure.
(2) Staff shall not sleep in the same
structure with children of the opposite sex.
(3) Sleeping arrangements shall be approved
by the fire inspector and shall meet the requirements set forth in rule
3701-25-09 of the Administrative
Code.
(4) Children shall be
provided with proper bedding as appropriate for the season.
(U)
Bathrooms at a base camp.
(1) A base camp
shall have a minimum of one sink with hot and cold water, one flush toilet, and
one bath or shower with hot and cold water per gender if the camp serves more
than one gender.
(2) Children of
the opposite sex shall not use the same bathroom facility at the same
time.
(3) Staff shall not use the
bathroom facility if children of the opposite sex are using the facility at the
same time.
(4) Each bathroom shall
have toilet paper, towels or air dryers, soap, and wastebaskets available for
use.
(5) Bathtubs and showers shall
have enclosures or screens which afford individual privacy.
(6) When more than one toilet is located in
the same bathroom, each toilet shall be partitioned and include a door capable
of remaining closed.
(V) A PNTWC shall
comply with all nutritional requirements of rule
5101:2-9-20 of the
Administrative Code except that the camp may deviate from the timeframe
requirements listed in paragraph (A) of rule
5101:2-9-20 of the
Administrative Code.
(1) The PNTWC shall not
allow more than five hours to elapse between meals and not more than fourteen
hours between the evening meal and breakfast.
(2) The PNTWC shall prepare menus at least
one week in advance and shall demonstrate how the menu meets the minimum
nutritional guidelines as set forth in rule
5101:2-9-20 of the
Administrative Code.
(W) In addition to the
nutritional requirements of rule
5101:2-9-20 of the
Administrative Code, a camp shall ensure:
(1)
Six quarts of potable water shall be available per person, per day, minimum,
plus one additional quart per person for each five miles hiked. Although it is
not required that the entire amount be hand carried, access to water shall be
available at all times during hiking.
(2) In temperatures above ninety degrees
fahrenheit, staff shall make sure a child's intake is a minimum of three quarts
of water per day, electrolyte replacement shall be available with a hiking
group at all times.
(3) In
temperatures above eighty degrees fahrenheit, water shall be available for
coating the child's body, and other cooling down techniques shall be available
for the purpose of cooling as needed.
(4) Water shall be available at each
campsite. Water cache location information shall be verified with field staff
before the group leaves camp each day.
(5) Mobile camps shall ensure that all water
from natural sources be treated for sanitation to eliminate health
hazards.
(6) A PNTWC shall obtain a
food service license if required by the local health department.
(X) Hiking.
(1) Hiking shall not exceed the physical
capability of the weakest member of the group.
(2) The weight of a backpack to be carried by
each child shall not exceed twenty per cent of the child's body weight. If the
child is required to carry other items, the total of all weight carried shall
not exceed thirty per cent of the child's body weight.
(3) Hiking shall be prohibited at
temperatures above ninety degrees fahrenheit. or at temperatures below ten
degrees fahrenheit.
(4) Staff shall
carry thermometers which accurately display the current outside
temperature.
(5) If a child cannot
or will not hike, the group shall not continue unless eminent danger exists.
The reasons for refusal or inability to continue will be established and
resolved before hiking continues. Program directors are responsible to train
staff regarding this standard and to regularly monitor compliance.
(Y) Any excursion shall
have a plan including map routes, and anticipated schedules and times shall be
carried by the field staff and recorded in the field office.
(1) Staff shall maintain a signed, daily log
or dictate a recorded log to be transcribed and signed immediately following
the conclusion of the activity. All log entries shall be recorded in permanent
ink and be made available to the Ohio department of job and family services
(ODJFS) licensing specialist upon request.
(2) The log shall contain the following
information regarding the excursion:
(a)
Accidents.
(b) Injuries.
(c) Medications.
(d) Medical concerns.
(e) Behavioral problems.
(f) Any unusual occurrences.
(Z) A mobile camping
excursion shall last no more than twenty-one days, after which children on the
camping excursion shall return to the base camp.
(1) Children must remain at the base camp at
least ten days between mobile camping excursions and activities.
(2) In addition to meeting the staff ratio
requirements in rule
5101:2-9-02 of the
Administrative Code, the camp shall have at least two staff present during any
mobile camping excursion.
(3) In a
mixed gender group, there shall be a staff member of each gender with the group
at all times during the excursion.
(4) The camp may use privies and portable
toilets in remote camping areas. The camp shall ensure that the privies and
portable toilets are:
(a) Maintained in good
repair and kept clean at all times.
(b) Constructed and maintained according to
manufacturer designs and standards set forth by the department of
health.
(c) Equipped with toilet
paper at all times.
(d) Serviced in
accordance with the standards set forth by the department of health.
(e) Privies and portable toilet facilities
not equipped with running water shall have a waterless alcohol-based hand
sanitizer available for use inside or adjacent to the toilet
facilities.
(5) If the
camp site is not provided with privies or other portable toilets, the camp
shall comply with any requirements of the department of health regarding the
proper disposal of human waste in these locations. There shall be a waterless
alcohol-based hand sanitizer available for use.
(6) While on a mobile camping excursion, the
camp shall provide:
(a) Personal hygiene
supplies that are biodegradable.
(b) Means for a child to bathe or clean his
or her body at least twice weekly.
(c) Females with hand sanitizing wipes or
similar products as well as feminine products for feminine hygiene
purposes.
(d) A way to launder
clothes or provide clean clothes at least weekly.
