Youth Camp Program

Welcome to the Youth Camp Program Web Site

Summer 2009
DSHS Influenza-like Illness Camp Guidelines Posted

DSHS has received reports of influenza-like illness cases and outbreaks from summer camps in Texas.  Some of these have been confirmed as novel influenza A H1N1. DSHS has posted information and interim guidance on suggested means to prevent the introduction and reduce the spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in day, residential, or overnight camp settings.  Recommendations are interim, based on current knowledge of the H1N1 outbreak in the United States, and may be revised as more information becomes available. 

Youth Camp Advisory Committee Seeking Members

The Commissioner of DSHS requests your assistance in identifying applicants for membership on the Youth Camp Advisory Committee. Currently there is one vacant position and three positions whose terms have expired on the youth camp advisory committee. Additionally three more positions are due to expire this year. It is anticipated that the committee will meet once during the next twelve months.

The positions requiring appointment are for members of the general public and experienced camping professionals to serve a term of six years. The term of the positions begins upon appointment and ends six years from the appointment date.

We are currently not authorized to reimburse members of the Youth Camp Advisory Committee for travel expenses. Therefore, members will be required to pay for their own transportation, lodging, meals, parking, taxis, and other incidental expenses.

All people who wish to be considered as a nominee must complete the Application for Advisory Committee Appointment -- WORD File 52KB or PDF File, 44KB). All applications will remain on file for twelve (12) months. Completed applications, including two letters of recommendation, should be mailed to the following address by July 1, 2009.

Public Health Sanitation & Consumer Product Safety
Policy, Standards & Quality Assurance Unit
Environmental and Consumer Safety Section
Division for Regulatory Services
Texas Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 149347, MC 1987
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Telephone: 512-834-2770
Fax: 512-834-6707

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What We Do

The Texas Department of State Health Services is the principal authority on matters relating to health and safety conditions at youth camps in Texas. All youth camps must obtain a license prior to operating. Any youth camp may be inspected during operation to determine compliance with the Youth Camp Act and the Youth Camp Rules.

To determine if an operation is a youth camp, the operation must meet the following criteria:

1. A facility or property, other than a facility required to be licensed by the Department of Family and Protective Services that:
   1. has the general characteristics of a day camp, resident camp, or travel camp;
   2. is used for recreational, athletic, religious, or educational activities;
   3. accommodates at least five minors who attend or temporarily reside at the camp for all or part of at least four consecutive days; and
   4. is not a facility or program operated by or on the campus of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education as those terms are defined by the Education Code, §61.003, that is regularly inspected by one or more local governmental entities for compliance with health and safety standards.
2. A youth camp provides supervision, instruction, and recreation, utilizing a variety of activities primarily in an outdoor, natural environment, for children who are apart from their parents or legal guardians.
3. A youth camp operates only during school vacation periods, and not more than 120 days per calendar year; and
4. A youth camp accepts a camper for a minimum of four consecutive days for more than four hours per day.

Please note that some “camp” operations may not meet all of the criteria listed above, and would not be considered a Youth Camp operation, although they may be considered a Child Care operation. Please see the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Web site for more information on Child Care. Additionally, some licensed youth camps may offer services that do not meet the above criteria (such as weekend retreats), and those services would not be regulated under the youth camp laws.

General Mailing Address:
Public Health Sanitation & Consumer Safety/PSQA MC 1987
Texas Department of State Health Services
P. O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Licensing Mailing Address:
Environmental and Sanitation Licensing Group MC 2835
Texas Department of State Health Services
P. O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Address for all Mail CONTAINING MONEY:
Texas Department of State Health Services MC 2003
PO Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Phone: 512-834-6600
Fax: 512-834-6614

Physical Address
(WE ONLY RECEIVE SPECIAL SERVICE DELIVERIES, SUCH AS UPS
OR FEDERAL EXPRESS [not USPS], AT THIS ADDRESS)
Mail that contains money may not be sent via overnight special service deliveries.
Mail that contains money will be returned to sender for mailing to the appropriate PO Box listed above for mail containing money.

Texas Department of State Health Services
Exchange Building
8407 Wall Street
Austin, Texas  78754

Email:

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Division for Regulatory Services - P. O. Box 149347 - Austin, Texas 78714-9347 - (512) 834-6770

 

Last Updated July 14, 2009