Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 55-89 - Food, Lodging, and Recreation Safety
Chapter ATCP 78 - Recreational And Educational Camps
Subchapter V - General Provisions
Section ATCP 78.26 - Camper supervision and safety

1. Written employment application forms shall require the applicant to provide all of the following:

1. Prior to hiring any camp staff, the camp shall review the national sex offender public registry of the United States department of justice and other relevant available public record information. P

2. For international camp staff, review with the United States department of state sponsor to determine what criminal background check information will be provided by that country.

1. Each camp shall set a policy that prevents employment or volunteer selection of any person who meets any of the following:

2. This policy shall be reviewed, signed and dated within the last 3 years. Pf

1. A non-specialized program activity may be directly led by a non-adult camp staff member provided the staff member is at least 2 years older than the campers in that activity. Pf

2. Non-specialized program activities shall be under the general supervision of adult camp staff. P

1. Except as specified pursuant to subd 6. and par. (c) 5., a trained adult shall directly supervise each specialized program activity. P

2. The trained adult supervisor shall provide prior training and instruction to camp staff that assist with a specialized program activity. Pf

3. The trained adult supervisor shall document camp staff training provided, relevant to their assigned duties. Pf

4. Provision of firearms or archery equipment to campers shall be considered a specialized program activity at the camp and meet all of the following requirements: P

5. Other specialized program equipment shall be securely stored when not i n use by utilizing fencing, barriers or other access prevention strategies. Pf

6. A vendor provided specialized program activity is under the supervision of the third party provider.

1. A camp offering one or more challenge courses shall have all of the following:

2. The third party inspection documentation shall include all of the following:

3. A camps challenge course shall operate under the supervision of an individual certified or an individual that has documentation they have received training according to applicable ANSI/ACCT 03-2019 or ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.3-2014, challenge course industry standards for the specific challenge course activities. P

4. A camp offering a challenge course shall maintain operational policies and procedures. Pf

5. A camp's challenge course staff shall participate in an annual documented training that is site-specific and includes hands-on skills assessment, relevant to the staff member's duties. Pf

6. Any newly constructed challenge course after July 1, 2023, shall complete an initial acceptance validation inspection by a qualified third party from the Association for Challenge Course Technology, Professional Ropes Course Association or a structural engineer licensed in Wisconsin, before beginning operation. P

1. All swimming and watercraft activities at a camp shall be under the direction of an adult aquatic supervisor who holds a current lifeguard certification, including certification for first aid and professional CPR with AED included in the course or AED certification earned separately. P

2. The camp shall develop a written lifeguard and attendant staffing plan. Pf The camp shall keep a copy of the plan on the premises and the plan shall made available for review by the department or its agent. The plan shall include all of the following:

3. Every person serving as a lifeguard at a camp shall hold a current lifeguard certification with first aid and professional CPR with AED certification included in the course or AED certification earned separately. If the camp is going to serve infant campers, then the lifeguard must have a CPR course that includes infants. P

Note: Obtain a list of approved certification courses for lifeguarding, first aid, and CPR from the bureau of food and recreational businesses at (608) 224-4682 or PO Box 8911, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8911.

4. Lifeguards shall have training, as required by the United States occupational safety and health administration pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.1030, bloodborne pathogens standard. Pf

5. If the lifeguards and attendants are all under the age of 18, the adult aquatics program supervisor or other designated lifeguard meeting the requirements pursuant to par. (c) 3. shall provide direct supervision. P

6. Lifeguards shall meet all of the following:

7.

8. Pursuant to s. 30.678(1) (d), Stats., no person who was born on or after January 1, 1989, and who is 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat unless one of the following applies:

9.

10. Safety equipment shall be maintained and in the vicinity of the aquatic activity area and include all of the following: P

11. The adult aquatic supervisor shall conspicuously post the camp's swimming rules and restrictions and boating regulations in the aquatic program activity area. When participating in an aquatic program activity off the camp premises, swimming and boating regulations and restrictions shall be verbally discussed with campers.

12. A rescue boat shall be readily available when the aquatic program activity extends beyond the designated swimming area. P The boat shall be provided with all of the following:

13. The aquatic program activity area shall be free of hazards. P

Note: Blue-green algae blooms can produce toxins that can make people sick after they swallow, breathe in, or have contact with water. Email the Wisconsin department of natural resources at DNRHABS@wisconsin.gov to report a bloom or ask questions. More information is also available from the Wisconsin department of health services Staying Safe at the Lake: What Summer Camps Should Know about Blue-Green Algae at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02438.pdf.

14. Aquatic program equipment shall be maintained in good repair, including docks, ladders, rafts, diving boards, boats, life jackets, and paddles.

15. A camp may allow swimming after dark if lighting is provided to identify swimmers. P

1. When horseback riding is provided on the camp premises, the camp shall meet all of the following:

2. Horse and livestock medications shall be secured in an area away from camper access and locked when not in use. P

3. Stables, corrals, riding rings, or other livestock areas shall be located away from lodging areas as specified pursuant to s. ATCP 78.17 (2). Pf

4. Livestock areas shall be maintained free from the accumulation of manure.

1. When a go-kart or similar motorized vehicle, excluding a golf cart, is provided for a camp program, the camp shall meet all of the following:

2. When an all-terrain vehicle or utility-terrain vehicle is provided for a camp program, the camp shall meet all of the following:

1. Visitors, vendors, or contracted services that enter the camps premises. Pf

2. Firearms and ammunition used by staff for non-program activities. Pf

3. Active threats and possible intruders on camp premises. Pf

1. A camp shall have a written plan for actions to be taken in response to all of the following:

2. The camp's written plan shall include the frequency of training and rehearsal provided to camp staff. Pf

1. The camp shall maintain a copy of the curriculum. Pf

2. Maintain the individual certificate or dated documentation, with each participant's name, for training that occurred. Pf

3. Provide the curriculum to the department or agent upon request.

4. The training shall cover all of the following topic areas:

1. A camp shall immediately report an allegation of known or suspected camper abuse, neglect or sexual misconduct to the proper authorities. P

2. The camp shall separate the alleged perpetrator from campers until the incident is resolved, until the threat is removed, or as long as necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the campers. P