The Maryland Department of Health Youth Camps Program regulates and licenses all youth camps in Maryland to protect the health and safety of kids attending Maryland youth camps. Have a question or concern? Please contact us!
Please click Youth Camps Searchable Database for information on Maryland licensed youth camps.
Parents should ask questions of any prospective youth camp to be comfortable that their child will be safe and have a positive, fun experience. In addition to verifying that a prospective youth camp is certified by MDH, the Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council created a list of question for parents to use. If you would like information regarding a particular camp or need to make a complaint, please contact the Center for Recreation and Community Environmental Health Services at 410-767-8417.
The purpose of certification is to protect the health and safety of children attending Maryland youth camps. The regulations governing youth camps establish minimum standards to ensure camp operators conduct criminal history record checks for employees, provide for the health of campers, maintain appropriate supervision ratios, implement health and safety procedures, report incidents, conduct high risk recreational activities safely and maintain the camp facility in good working order.
Not sure if your facility needs to be licensed as a youth camp? Please review the regulations for youth camps (COMAR 10.16.06), including the sections on scope and definitions. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
Application Process:
If you operate multiple camps at separate physical locations, complete and submit a separate Pre-Application, current application, fee and compliance documentation for each camp.
At this time, youth camps are not required to implement any additional precautions or procedures for COVID-19. However, youth camps are strongly encouraged to review the guidelines from the CDC, have a plan for a suspected COVID-19 outbreak, and clearly communicate COVID-19 policies and procedures with parents and campers.
The Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council assists and advises the Maryland Department of Health on the development and review of regulations for certifying youth camps. These regulations include standards for personnel screening procedures, medical services and safety procedures. The Council also prepares an annual report to the Secretary on current issues affecting youth camps and children attending youth camps.
The Council meets 4 times a year, the first Thursday of February, April, October, and December from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Meetings are virtual and open to the public. Click here for more information.
This Program was created by the Maryland legislature to authorize certain individuals to obtain and administer life-saving treatment to individuals who are suffering from anaphylaxis when physician services or emergency medical services are not immediately available. While individuals can be prescribed auto-injectab le epinephrine for personal use by their doctors, this program is intended for staff of youth camps, food service facilities, and institutions of higher education. The Program requires an individual to go through an approved training program before a certificate is issued by the Department, which can be used to obtain auto-injectable epinephrine from a pharmacy.