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 78.32 - Primitive camping trips

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 78.32

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) GENERAL. The operator of a camp shall maintain each primitive camp area in a safe and clean manner conducive to public health.

Note: An itinerary shall be filed or arrangement shall be made with the national forest service office if such land is used by the primitive camping trip. The camp director should familiarize the staff and campers with rules governing such property.

(2) TRIP DOCUMENTATION AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION. The trip leader shall be provided with all of the following health information and resources:

(a) Health histories. A description of any individual camper specific health conditions. Pf

(b) Medication and treatment record. Any one of the following methods shall be used for the documentation of medical treatment and medication administration provided to campers while off premises of the licensed camp: Pf
1. Documentation pursuant to s. ATCP 78.27 (b) and (c). Pf

2. Alternative documentation method:
a. Required information pursuant to s. ATCP 78.27 (c). Pf

b. Maintain documentation of medical treatment including medications administered to campers while away from camp and submitted to the camp health services supervisor by the trip leader upon return to camp. Pf

c. Documentation from this record shall be transferred to the camps medication and treatment log and be made available for review by the department or its agent upon request. Pf

d. The original primitive camping medication and treatment documentation shall be kept by the camp health services supervisor and be made available for review by the department or its agent upon request. Pf

(c) First aid. A fully stocked first aid kit. P

(d) Communication. Reliable means of communication to summon emergency help and communicate with the camp health supervisor. P

(3) TRIP STAFFING. Camper to staff ratios shall follow the requirements pursuant to ss. ATCP 78.25 and 78.27 (2) (d). P

(4) WATER SUPPLY.

(a) Water provided by the camp. Drinking water taken on primitive camping trips away from camp shall meet all of the following:
1. Except as specified pursuant to par. (b), taken from a potable water source. P

2. Transported and stored in clean, sanitized containers. P

(b) Alternative water sources. Where it is not practical to transport drinking water, drinking water treatment purification methods shall be provided. Water shall be visibly clear and free from debris, foam, blue-green algal blooms or scum, trash and organic matter. P
1. Water shall be treated using one or more of the following methods:
a. Brought to a rolling boil for a minimum of one minute. P

b. Treated water with a purifier meeting National Sanitation Foundation standard P231 or P248. The filter pore size shall be 0.02 microns or less. P

c. Filtered using a filter with an absolute pore size not greater than 0.3 micron pursuant to National Sanitation Foundation Standard 53 or 58 and disinfected with a chemical product labeled for the treatment of drinking water. P

d. Treated with a water treatment method not covered under this section for which a request for a variance has been granted by the department. P

(c) Use and maintenance. Water treatment filters and cartridges shall meet all of the following:
1. Maintained according to manufacturer's instructions to ensure devices are in proper working order. Pf

2. Maintain a maintenance log or receipts for any device replacement parts or accessories. Pf

3. Ensure chemical treatment products are stored according to manufacturer's directions. Pf

4. Ensure chemical treatment products are not expired. P

(d) Trained staff.
1. A camp operator shall ensure staff performing drinking water treatment are trained in the proper use of all practices, devices, time requirements and chemical treatments. Pf

2. Only persons trained to properly treat water using the designated treatment methods shall treat drinking water in the field. Pf

(5) OFF SITE WRITTEN FOOD SAFETY PLAN.

(a) Plan contents. A written food safety plan shall be provided for primitive camping and backcountry trips and shall incorporate all the following components:
1. General food safety practices as provided in ch. ATCP 75, for the type and method of food service provided. Pf

2. Hand hygiene. Pf

3. Utensil washing procedures, if applicable. Pf

4. Protection of food from animals and other pests. Pf

(b) Plan available to regulatory authority. The written food safety plan shall be made available to the department or its agent upon request.

(6) TOILETS.

(a) Usage. Except as specified pursuant to par. (c), at minimum, toilet usage in these areas shall comprise a slit trench with earth backfill or cathole at least 8 inches deep. P

(b) Location. The toilet areas shall be located at least 200 feet from a stream, lake, well or established trail, camp, tent or other sleeping or housing arrangement. P

(c) Disposal. Solid human waste can be carried out and disposed of back at the camp premises or other toilet facility. P

Note: See Leave No Trace from the Center for Outdoor Ethics: https://lnt.org/

(7) SOLID WASTE. Garbage and refuse generated in primitive camping areas shall be carried back to the camp premises or other approved area for proper disposal pursuant to s. ATCP 78.22.

This section is created eff. 9-24-23 by CR 21-109.

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