Summer, Day, Overnight, Traveling or Municipal Camps for Children

You must send new permit and renewal applications to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Do this at least 90 days before the camp opens.

Types of Camps

• Summer day camp: For 10 or more children under 16 years old. Runs between June 1 and Sept. 15. Focuses on indoor or outdoor group activities.
• Children's overnight camp: For 10 or more children under 18 years old primarily for the purpose of indoor or outdoor activities. Includes overnight stays for more than 72 hours.
• Traveling summer day camp: For 10 or more children under 16 years old. Runs between May 15 and Sept. 15. Transports children to a facility for group activities.
• Municipal summer day camp: Located at a property owned, leased or run by a city, school district or public board.

Staff and Safety Requirements

Camp applicants must provide information about key staff, like the Camp Director, Health Director and Aquatics Director. They must show proof of their qualifications, certifications and training.

Camps must keep on-site files with staff and child information, including medical records and a written safety plan approved by the Department. A Public Health Sanitarian will inspect the camp at least once during the season.

If 20 percent or more campers have a developmental disability, the camp must follow extra regulatory requirements.

Permit Details

The summer camp permit is valid for one season. Camps must submit a yearly renewal application with supporting documents to stay compliant. The permit cannot be transferred.

The permit will include:

• Permit Number
• Issue and Expiration Date
• Name and Address of Program
• Permit Capacity
• Floors and Classrooms
• Activities/Services for the children

• Submit early: Send your new permit and renewal applications to the NYC Department of Health at least 90 days before the camp starts.

• Location requirements: The camp must be on a commercial property like a community center, church/synagogue or public/private school building. You need a valid Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Letter of No Objection (LNO) from the NYC Department of Buildings. The CO or LNO must be current during the camp period.

  • An LNO may show the maximum number of campers, age groups and specific dates.
  • A CO will show the maximum number of people and the use and occupancy group classification.

• Acceptable groups include:

• Fire safety: A valid F-07/W-07 Certificate of Fitness from the NYC Fire Department (FDNY) is required for directors or designated staff to conduct fire drills. All camps must pass an FDNY inspection.

• Health code: Review NYC Health Code Article 48 to understand the rules for operating a summer camp and how to comply.

• Documentation: Refer to the Requirements Checklist for basic documentation and other requirements needed to apply for any permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Some requirements depend on the type of business that will get the permit.
  Requirements Checklist

• Nonprofit fee waiver: Nonprofit programs may have their application fee waived by submitting proof of 501(c)(3) Exemption or Municipal Exemption and a letter confirming that you are in good standing with the U.S. Treasury Department.
  See the 501(c)(3) Organizations Exemption Requirements.

• Permit fees:

  • The Summer Camp Permit Fee is $200 for the period of May 15 to September 15 for traveling camps and from June 1 to September 15 for all other camps.
  • There is no fee for a summer camp operated by a nonprofit organization. You must provide proof of 501(c)(3) tax exemption and a letter confirming that you are in good standing with the U.S. Treasury Department.
  • There is a $114 fee for the Food Protection Course (for supervisors where food is prepared). The online course is free, but the final exam must be taken in person; there is a $24.60 fee for the exam.
  • There is no fee for the 4-Hour Food Protection Course for Soup Kitchen & Summer Camp Workers. This is required for camp workers who serve food that is not prepared on the camp premises or if they receive food under the USDA Summer Feeding program.

• Information on registration for food protection courses can be found by going online to www.nyc.gov/healthacademy or by calling 311.

• Payment methods: Payment is made online. Only credit and debit cards are accepted.

• Complete your application:

  • Send these documents (in PDF format) by email to campinfo@health.nyc.gov. Include the camp's name, address and borough in the subject line. For example, "STEM Kids Camp, 125 Worth St., Manhattan".

• Attach these documents/forms:

  • Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Letter of No Objection (LNO) from the NYC Department of Buildings. The CO and LNO must be current during the camp operating period.
  • 501(c)(3) Tax Exemption Letter from the IRS and a letter on your organization letterhead that you are in current and good standing with your exemption status.
  • Certificate of Incorporation or Filing Receipt. (Required for Partnerships and Corporations/LLCs)
  • Site Inspection Request Form
  • Workers' Compensation Certificate or Form CE-200 (if exempt)
  • Disability Benefits Insurance Certificate or Form CE-200 (if exempt)
  • Proof of Comprehensive Liability Insurance
  • Proof of Vehicular Insurance (only required if you intend to use private or chartered vehicles)
  • Children's Camp Facility and Staff Description
  • Camp Director's Resume
  • Camp Director's Statewide Central Register Database Check
  • Prospective Children's Camp Director Certified Statement
  • Health Director's CPR Certification (for example, CPR Pro)
  • Health Director's Advance First Aid Certification (for example, RTE/Advance First Aid)
  • NYC Summer Camp Safety Plan
  • Trip Itinerary and Parental Consent

• Aquatics Staff Qualifications (required for camps with swimming, boating and/or aquatic theme park services):

  • Aquatics Director's Resume
  • Aquatics Director's Lifeguard Management Certification
  • Aquatics Director's CPR Certification (for example, CPR Pro)

• Attend orientation:

  • New camp directors must attend a Camp Director's Orientation provided by the Department. The session is about two hours long and there is no fee to register.

  • You can apply for the camp permit even if the camp director has not yet attended the orientation.

  • If your camp offers aquatics activities, new aquatics directors must attend an Aquatics Director's Orientation session. The session is about an hour long and there is no fee to register.

  • Everyone must register themselves, using their own email address. To register for either orientation, visit www.nyc.gov/health/register.

    • Select "Group Child Care and Summer Camp Orientation Sessions" and click Continue at the bottom of the screen.
    • Complete all the steps and be sure to enter your information carefully and correctly.
    • You will receive an automated email confirmation after successfully registering.
    • The orientation is offered in a webinar format and you will receive an invitation the day before the webinar.

• Food Protection Certificate:

  • Camps preparing food on-site or serving food to children that is delivered/catered in bulk quantities from an approved food service establishment must have a supervising manager on duty who has been issued a Food Protection Certificate by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The course can be taken online for free, where you can study at your own pace. The course can also be taken in a virtual classroom setting for a fee.

    • Food Protection Online Course - Free
    • Food Protection Virtual Classroom

• Food Protection Course for Workers:

  • If your camp will receive food from the Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or if ready-to-eat meals are catered and served in individual packaging, your workers are required to take the Food Protection: (4-Hour) for Soup Kitchen and Summer Camp Workers Course.
    • Information About the 4-Hour Food Protection Course

• Application status:

  • You may receive automated "Deficiency List" emails alerting you about the status of your application. For more detailed and specific information about your application status, you must reach out to a borough office representative.
    • Contact Bureau of Child Care Borough Office (PDF)

• For important information, read the Frequently Asked Questions for summer camps.
  Frequently Asked Questions for Camp Operators (PDF)

• All camp operators should read the NYC Health Code Article 48 to understand the rules for operating a summer camp and how to comply.
  NYC Health Code Article 48

• New camp directors must attend a Camp Director's Orientation. The sessions are about two hours long and free.
  Note: you can apply for the camp permit even if the camp director has not yet attended the orientation.
  If your camp offers aquatic activities, new aquatics directors must attend an Aquatics Director's Orientation. The session is about an hour long and free.
  Everyone must register themselves, using their own email address. To register for either orientation, visit DOHMH Online Service Registration.

  • Select "Group Child Care and Summer Camp Orientation Sessions" and click "continue" at the bottom of the screen.
  • Complete all the steps and enter your information carefully.
  • You will get an email confirmation after registering.
  • The orientation is a webinar and you will get an invitation the day before.

• All new permit and permit renewal applications must be sent to the NYC Department of Health at least 90 days before the camp starts.

• Follow all rules: applying for a NYC Department of Health permit does not meet the regulatory requirements of other City and State agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses and authorizations needed by other City and State agencies. If you do not follow all regulations, your Department of Health permit may be suspended until you show proof of compliance.

• Register for an account: Register for an account online at the Permit and License Center. Once the page opens, find and click "Register for an Account."

  • If you already have an account, skip to step 2.

• Complete the application: Follow these steps:

  • Log in to your account at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Permit and License Center
  • Click "Apply New/Link PIN"
  • Click "Click here to Apply New or Link PIN"
  • Read and accept the terms and click "Continue"
  • Click on the "Child Care" drop-down arrow
  • FOR PROFIT Programs: Select "Summer Camp (CAMP) Permit Process"
  • NONPROFIT Programs: Select "Summer Camp (CAMP) Fee Exempt Permit Process"
  • Complete all required fields in Steps 1-4
  • When prompted to (in Step 5), click the check box under the red text, then click "upload document" to upload a copy of your government ID.
  • Complete the remaining steps until the record is created.

• Confirmation: After completing all of the steps online, you will receive a confirmation email. A new record with an eight-digit Record ID/Accela number will appear in your My Records tab.

• You can continue the next steps in "After you Apply" and submit the rest of your application.

  Note: If you log back in and see "resume application" next to your record, that means you have not completed all of the steps. You must complete all of the steps so that a new record can be created the next day.

• Submit renewal application: summer camp permits can only be renewed online.
  Returning camps can renew their permit by sending their application (in PDF format) via email to their borough office contact or to campinfo@health.nyc.gov. Attach each document separately to the same email, and include your camp name, site address, borough and your eight-digit Record ID number in the subject line. For example, "STEM Kids Camp, 125 Worth St., Manhattan, 12345678".
  Attach the following documents and forms:

  • Letter of No Objection (LNO) from the NYC Department of Buildings, if the previous LNO has expired. The LNO must be current during the camp operating period.
  • A letter on your organization letterhead that you are in good standing with your exemption status (for nonprofit programs).
  • Worker's Compensation Certificate or Form CE-200 if exempt.
  • Disability Benefits Insurance Certificate or Form CE-200 if exempt.
  • Proof of Comprehensive Liability Insurance or Form CE-200 if exempt.
  • Proof of Vehicular Insurance (only needed if you intend to use private or chartered vehicles).
  • Summer Camp Self-Certification Checklist.
  • Trip Itinerary and Parental Consent Form.
  • Children's Camp Facility and Staff Description.
  • Camp Director's Resume (if different from last year).
  • Camp Director's Statewide Central Register Database Check.
  • Prospective Children's Camp Director Certified Statement.
  • Health Director's CPR (CPR Pro) Certification.
  • Health Director's Advanced First Aid Certification.

• Submit aquatics staff qualifications if the camp will provide swimming, boating or aquatic theme park services:

  • Aquatics Director's Resume (if different from last year).
  • Aquatics Director's Lifeguard Management Certification.
  • Aquatics Director's CPR Certification (for example, CPR Pro).

• Pay the $200 fee: summer camps that need to pay the $200 fee can submit payment through the online licensing system by logging in at www.nyc.gov/dohmhpermits. If you are using a new account, you may request a PIN to "PIN Link/Relink" and access the existing camp record. Do not create a new camp record. If you need your PIN, you can request it by completing an online PIN Request Form below or by calling 311.
  Request a PIN

• Pay outstanding fines: you cannot renew a permit if you have outstanding fines. You must pay fines online before renewing. You can pay your fines by logging in at www.nyc.gov/dohmhpermits. If you are using a new account, you may request a PIN to "PIN Link/Relink" and access the existing camp record. Do not create a new camp record. If you need your PIN, you can request it by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
  Request a PIN