Original Troop or Travel Camp Licensing

Below are the steps to obtain an original troop or travel camp license. Please review each step thoroughly.

The first step in the process of operating a troop or travel camp is determining if a license is required based on the time providing care and supervision of minors apart from their parents, legal guardians, or relatives.

If a troop or travel camp program (religious youth group, school group, scouting, youth development organization, etc.) is operating for five or more days (12 or more hours per day) in a 14-day period and is not stationed at a specific camp site, then a troop or travel camp license is required. The camp begins operating when the camp assumes responsibility for the campers.

A troop camp is one sponsored by Scouting America or Girl Scouts. A travel camp is sponsored by any other organization.

Applicants must submit an online licensing inquiry to obtain the necessary licensing materials for application, fingerprinting, licensing materials, and other resources to assist in the children’s camp licensing process.

Applicants will receive specific fingerprint and licensing record clearance forms by email when submission of the online licensing inquiry form is completed. The forms must be taken to an approved Livescan vendor when fingerprinting is completed.

Copies of the completed forms are submitted with the original application submission in Step 5.

All troop or travel camp program applications require several documents to be uploaded when applying. Use the checklist below to ensure that all the required documents are ready for upload and payment when entering the original licensing portal.

• Camp Administrator Background Check Forms
  • These forms are titled “Licensing Record Clearance” and “Livescan Fingerprint Request” forms (1326/RI030) for Applicant (Licensee Designee) and Camp Director/Administrator.
• Camp Operation Schedule: Session Days/Times
• Trip/Itinerary Schedule
• License Fees
  • Camper capacity of 100 or less is $100 and capacity of 101 or more $200.
  • Both the children’s camp program license and children’s camp site license fees are based on the capacity (example: total fee for capacity of 100 would be $200. $100 for program license and $100 for site license).
  • A credit card payment must be completed during the application process before the final application can be submitted.

Once the Camp Licensing Unit receives the troop or travel camp program license applications, the applicant will receive an email with information about the licensing process, including a review of the policies and procedures, a pre-operational onsite inspection, and other resources.

A pre-trip or post-trip inspection will occur reviewing trip itinerary and applicable licensing materials.

Once the Camp Licensing Unit is satisfied there is substantial compliance with the applicable statute and administrative rules, the department will issue the camp licenses.  The licensing process typically takes approximately 10 to 12 weeks.

An original troop or travel camp license is valid for 6 months. Prior to expiration of the original license, a renewal application must be submitted to maintain ongoing licensing status.

Original License Inquiry Form