If parents are onsite at the location of the camp, is a license required?

NO, when parents, relatives, or legal guardians are present, a license is not required. If more than 4 children do not have their parent, relative, or legal guardian present, then a license is required.

We operate a summer “Day Camp” outside our school-year day care center. Is a license required?

An area outside a day care center, a school yard, or a vacant lot in the middle of a housing area are not generally considered a “natural environment”; therefore such a program is not a day camp. REMEMBER to check with the Child Welfare Licensing Division [517-241-2488] to determine if the program is part of day care.

If we use a local public park as the location for our day camp, is a license required?

YES, parks and other out-door areas are considered to be natural environments.

Do we have to count the time the children are on the buses as camp time?

Camp time begins when the camp assumes responsibility for the campers. If the camp is providing the transportation, then YES, the travel time is considered part of the camp operation.

Do we need a license if a majority of the program takes place indoors?

NO, a camp license is for programs that operate out-of-doors and uses the outdoor environment for programming purposes.  If your program primarily takes place indoors, you should investigate whether or not you need to be licensed for day care.

If we operate more than one day camp as defined in Camp Licensing Rule 106, do we need a separate license for each day camp?

YES, a license is issued for a specific address.  Each different location would need a separate license.