Children's day and overnight camps are regulated by the Ulster County Department of Health according to the State Sanitary Code Subpart 7-2.
The Ulster County Department of Health strives to help children have a rewarding, fun experience at camp while in a safe and healthy environment. Permits are required and camps are inspected at least twice a year.
There are about 30 day and 30 overnight camps in Ulster County serving thousands of children each year.
CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED AIR QUALITY INDEX METER FOR ULSTER COUNTY
IMPORTANT NOTES ON AIR QUALITY DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE:
- DOH website on smoke from fires: Exposure to Smoke from Fires (ny.gov)
- These specific measures are a local decision, camp directors should know their local AQI forecast and alert level
- Follow DOH/USEPA AQI guidance
- Orange: 101-150: outdoor activities are ok for children but they should be shorter, less intense, take more breaks, watch for symptoms and follow all camper asthma action plans
- Red: 151-200: similar to above but further curtail intensity and length of outdoor activities and consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors - for day camps this may mean seeking indoor activities or canceling camp during a red or higher alert level.
- Purple and higher (>200): avoid all physical activity outdoors, seek indoor options and follow indoor guidance regarding air conditioning, air purifiers, etc. as available. Consider cancelling camp.
- For more information on asthma and asthma action plans:
- Asthma action plan: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4850.pdf
- Video for coaches about athletes and asthma: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/asthma/athletic_field.htm
- Asthma brochures https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/asthma/brochures.htm
These are the recommendations for schools and childcare providers:
- Continue to monitor air quality at airnow.gov.
- Consider implementing an Air Quality Flag Program where each day your organization raises a flag when the air is unhealthy. On these days you can use this information to adjust outdoor activities.
- New York State recommends that schools and child care providers suspend outdoor activities and field trips when air quality is unhealthy.
- When air quality is good, resume normal activities.
The highlighted program above, called the Air Quality Flag Program, has the following 4 steps and even some air quality lesson plans for use:
Source: Air Quality Flag Program Main Page | AirNow.gov
NYSDOH Guidance for Measles in Children's Camps - 2024
NYSDOH Food Allergen Notice- Printable Poster
Digital Camp Director's Meeting - 2025
Upcoming Red Cross Training Classes (CPR, Lifeguard Certification, Babysitting Certification, and more will be listed when available)
Emergency Pesticide Notification at Children's Camps
Children’s Camp COVID-19 2022 Guidance
Children's Camp Cover Letter - 2024
2023 Camp Operator Letter - Polio
Pool/Sprayground Operator Letter for Guidance to Prevent the Spread of Poliovirus
American Red Cross courses offered at the Kingston YMCA
Ellis & Associates Lifeguarding/CPR Courses can be found at https://www.jellis.com/classes/local-lifeguard-training
FACT SHEETS
Fact Sheet Memo 2025
AED Guidance for Camps - 2024
AED Guidance: Camp Operator Letter - 2024
AED Plan - 2024
Aquatics Director Fact Sheet 2025
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - Information for Camp Operators
Children's Camps Operators and Health Departments
Avian Influenza (Avian Flu, Bird Flu, H5N1)
Camp Trip Swimming Fact Sheet 2025
CPR Level 3 & 4 Fact Sheet 2025
First Aid Fact Sheet 2025
Lifeguard Fact Sheet 2025
Progressive Swimming Instructor Fact Sheet 2025
Swimming Pool Operator Fact Sheet 2025
Supervision Level III Fact Sheet 2025
Aquatic Director Requirement Effective 2012
Buddy Board System for Swimming Areas
DOH 61b - Illness Outbreak Report
DOH 61e - Epinephrine Admin Report
DOH 61h - Multiple Victim Injury Report Form
Fact Sheet for Bat Habitat Inspection
Fight the Bite - Insect Repellants
General Guidelines for Management of Bats
General Safety Tips for PaintBall
How to Obtain a Permit to Operate a Children's Camp
CDC and NYSDOH Information on Preventing Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury
Lyme Disease - How to Remove the Tick
Important Measles Information:
- UCDOH Commissioner's Letter to Children's Camp Operators and Orders Requiring Attendees and Staff to be Vaccinated against Measles
- Measles Doc 1
- Recommended Immunizations for Campers and Staff - April 2025
- NYSDOH Measles Response Playbook
Meningococcal Disease in Children’s Camps
NYS Camp Information for Facility Operators
Citywide Immunization Registry Access
NYS Immunization Information System Camp Access User Training
Sample Camp Operator Letter for NYSIIS and CIR Access
Information Required for Children's Camps to Access NYSIIS
NYS Fecal Incident Response In Pools Fact Sheet
NYS Vomit & Blood Contamination In Pools Fact Sheet
Polio Guidance for Camp Operators - April 2023
Prospective Camp Director Statement
Rabies - What to do Fact Sheet
Region 3 - Forest Ranger and USGS
Requirements for Children's Camps in New York
Respiratory Virus Guidance Update Frequently Asked Questions
Respiratory Virus Guidance Snapshot
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/images/RVG-summary-graphic.png
- Aquatic Spray Grounds
- Archery
- Boating
- Camp Trips
- Camp Trip Swimming
- General Activity
- Horseback Riding
- Rope and Challenge Course
- Sports
- Swimming
Sample Buddy Check Clip Board Sheets
Sex Offender/NYS Registration Procedures to Protect Children
Univeral Application Form - Application for Permit to Operate
Vaccine Preventable Disease Camp Operator Letter 2018
Vaccine Preventable Disease Camp Procedure 2012
Vaccine Preventable Disease Letter Attachment 2012
Swimming Pool Operation Sheets
Bathing Beach Cover Letter 2025
Bathing Beach Operation Sheets
Drinking Water Operation Sheets
Camp Meeting Archive:
2019 Digital Camp Director's Meeting
2017 Digital Camp Director's Meeting
For other important public health information, including information on the Coronavirus, click here..
For further information about any of these programs and services, please call Environmental Health Services
