12 Colo. Code Regs. § 2509-8-7.711

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024

Section 12 CCR 2509-8-7.711 - RULES REGULATING CHILDREN'S RESIDENT CAMPS

In addition to the General Rules for Child Care Facilities, Children's Resident Camps shall follow the rules specified in this section and the "Rules Regulating Special Activities".

7.711.1DEFINITIONS

A. A "residential camp" means a facility operating for three or more consecutive twenty-four-hour days during one or more seasons of the year for the care of five or more children. The facility shall have as its purpose a group living experience offering education and recreational activities in an outdoor environment. The recreational experiences may occur at the permanent camp premises or on trips off the premises. A children's resident camp shall serve children who have completed kindergarten or are six years of age or older through children younger than nineteen years of age; except that a person nineteen years of age or twenty years of age may attend a children's resident camp if, within six months prior to attending the children's resident camp, he or she has attended or has graduated from high school.

B. A residential camp may have a "primitive camp" which is a portion of the permanent camp premises or another site at which the basic needs for camp operation, such as places of abode, water supply systems, and permanent toilet and/or cooking facilities, are not usually provided.

C. A "travel-trip camp" shall be known as a camp in which there is no permanent camp site and children move from one site to another. The travel-trip camp either originates in Colorado or moves into and/or through Colorado from another state and operates for three or more consecutive 24-hour days during one or more seasons of the year for the care of five or more children who are at least ten (10) years old or have completed the fourth grade. The program shall have as its purpose a group learning experience offering educational and recreational activities utilizing an outdoor environment.

7.711.11Purpose and Goals

Each camp must submit to the department a statement of goals and objectives. This statement must be kept on file, updated periodically, made known to staff, and available for licensing inspection.

7.711.12Governing Body

The governing body must be identified by its legal name. The names and addresses of individuals who hold primary financial control and officers of the governing body must be disclosed fully to the Colorado Department of Human Services. The governing body is responsible for providing necessary facilities, adequate financing, qualified personnel, services, and program functions for the safety and well-being of children in accordance with these rules. When changes of governing body occur, the new governing body must immediately submit an original application and pay the required fee.

A. If the governing body lets, leases, or rents the licensed facility to any group or organization whose program falls under the definition as found at Section 7.711.1 and verifies in writing to the State Department that the lessee meets the licensing standards, an application is not required of the lessee. If the governing body does not verify that the lessee meets the licensing standards, an application is required of the lessee and the license must be issued to the lessee before the camp opens.

B. When the facility is let, leased, or rented, the governing body must report the following in writing at the request of the State Department: name of the group, number and ages of children, length of time for use of the facility, and the purpose of the camp.

7.711.13Financial Support

The governing body must satisfy the department upon request that there is sufficient financial support to operate and maintain a camp in accordance with these rules and camp goals and objectives.

7.711.14Insurances

Every facility must carry public liability insurance. The applicant or licensee must submit the amount of the insurance and the name and the address of the insurance agency providing the insurance to the camp. The camp must maintain information about the insurance at the campsite.

7.711.15Written Agreements, Reports, and Logs

A. There must be on file at the campsite an annually-dated a written or electronic agreement with a licensed physician or nearby health care facility to provide the necessary medical services for campers at the camp and medical help as a backup to the camp staff members responsible for health supervision.

B. A travel-trip camp is not required to have a written agreement, but it must have a list of all medical facilities in areas where the travel-trip camp will be traveling.

C. The camp must maintain at the campsite a medical record keeping system, listing name of camper, illness or injury, prescribed treatment and date the treatment was administered, and name of person administering care. This record keeping system must be available to licensing personnel.

D. The camp must submit as soon as possible but not longer than 24 hours to the State Department a written report about any camper who has been separated from the group outside of the supervision of their assigned staff member or for whom a report has been made to the local Sheriff's department for search and rescue. Such report must indicate the name, age, and address of the camper; the name of parents/guardians and their address if different; the date when the child was lost; the location, time, and circumstances when the camper was last seen; and circumstances of locating the camper.

7.711.2PERSONNEL

7.711.21General Requirements for All Personnel

A. All paid employees at the camp less than 16 years of age must be employed in compliance with Colorado labor laws.

B. All counselors and staff members having a supervisory role with campers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, or seventeen (17) years of age and graduated high school or completion of GED, and have interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children.

C. There must be a letter of agreement with each volunteer or employed staff member which includes listing of specific responsibilities/job description and referring to information contained in the hiring packet or staff manual. Days or hours of employment/time off, personal conduct, and health history questionnaire must be provided in writing or electronically and may be provided in the hiring packet or the staff manual. The letter of agreement must be signed by both the employer and the volunteer or staff member. In the case of staff members or volunteers who are younger than eighteen (18) years old, the letter of agreement must also be signed by the parents/guardians.

D. There must be at least three references for each staff member of the camp attesting to the individual's character and suitability to work with children. The written references must be in the personnel file or there must be an indication in the personnel file that a reference has been obtained.

E. Each staff member must complete an annual health history. The health history must be maintained in a secured location at the camp.

F. Each staff member must be trained and given written instructions as to camp policy when emergencies occur including but not limited to: lost campers, medical situations, hazardous wildlife and environmental hazards. In the case of travel trip or primitive camps, these plans must accompany the staff and campers.

7.711.22Camp Personnel

A. Each camp must have an onsite director who must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. The director must have 12 months (1820 hours) verified leadership experience in an administrative or supervisory position, with groups of children five (5) years of age or older, since he or she attained the age of eighteen (18) years.

B. At each permanent camp there must be one health care worker who is responsible for monitoring the overall health of the campers and staff. A health care worker must be one of the following: a licensed physician, a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a licensed physician's assistant, a certified nursing assistant or an individual who holds current certification in emergency medical services. All health care workers must work within their scope of practice, including the ability to work independently or with required oversight.

1. At least one health care worker must be at the camp twenty-four (24) hours per day that the camp is in session.

2. If the camp health care worker is not a physician or RN, a physician or RN currently licensed in Colorado must specifically delegate the camp staff member the authority to administer medications. The delegating physician or RN must be aware of the specific medical needs of campers, be available for consultation while the camp is in session, and accept responsibility for monitoring the therapeutic effects of medications administered at camp. Respiratory therapists may administer medication within their scope of practice.

3. In order to administer medications all health care workers, except physicians and RNs, must complete the Department-approved Medication Administration Training, receive delegation and hold current Department-approved First Aid and CPR certification.

C. At any camps less than thirty (30) minutes from emergency medical services by vehicle, in clear weather, there must be at least one staff member with each group of children qualified with Department-approved First Aid, CPR, and Medication Administration Training and delegation.

D. All staff members must complete a Department-approved Standard Precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and may count towards ongoing training requirements.

E. For every thirty (30) or fewer children in attendance, there must be at least one (1) staff member with each group of children who holds current Department-approved First Aid and CPR for all ages of children. At any camp more than thirty (30) minutes away from emergency medical services, there must be at least one (1) staff member with each group of children qualified with a minimum of Wilderness First Aid Training, Department-approved CPR and Medication Administration Training. Staff members with Medication Administration Training must have annual delegation as required at section 7.711.22.b.3.

F. There must be sufficient camp counselors or staff members who have a supervisory role with children at the camp to meet the staff ratio as indicated in Section 7.711.23 . Children under the age of six (6) years who live at camp or are visiting must be directly supervised by a caregiver, who is not included in the staff to camper ratio, at all times when the children are involved in camp activities. Staff members whose children are under six (6) years of age cannot be supervising campers or leading special activities when they are supervising their own children.

G. If the camp has counselors-in-training who are not fully qualified, they must be directly accountable to a qualified counselor or specialized staff member and must be directly supervised by those individuals in their role when caring for children. The counselors-in-training who are less than eighteen (18) years old must not be counted as staff members in the maintenance of the staff ratio for supervision of children as found at Section 7.711.23.

H. There must be specialized staff members who are responsible for specific portions of the camp program. Requirements for those specialized staff members are found among the requirements for the specialized activity areas at Section 7.719, et seq.

7.711.23Supervision

A. The camp must have an accurate system whereby staff members who are responsible for the supervision of children must know where each child is at all times.

B. At no time may a camper be left without qualified supervision. Sleeping quarters of the counselors must be within sight or hearing distance of the sleeping quarters of the children whom they supervise. Children may sleep alone for specific program functions such as solos or survival experiences and then only when regularly monitored pursuant to the camp's written program. The camp's written program must include an audible mechanism for a camper to alert a staff member who is able to immediately respond.

C. Each special activity must be supervised by a staff member currently qualified in Department-approved First Aid and CPR training, and by the experience and training in that special activity as specified in Section 7.719, et seq.

D. In a residential camp, ratio of one (1) staff member having a supervisory role with children per number of campers must be maintained at all times as follows:

AGE OF CHILDREN	Number of Children	Number of Staff Members
5 through 7 yrs. old	6	1
8 through 10 yrs. old	8	1
11 through 13 yrs. old	10	1
14 yrs. and older	12	1

E. In a trip away from the residential camp premises or at the primitive camp, the staff ratio given at Section 7.711.23, D, must be maintained, but there must be at least two staff members accompanying each trip, and one staff member must meet the qualifications as defined in 7.711.22.C, E. If the trip exceeds two nights, there must be with the group a staff member who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age, exercises good judgment, the ability to assume leadership independently and has been trained in trip leading procedures.

F. In a travel-trip camp, the staff ratio given at Section 7.711.23.D must be maintained, but there must be at least two (2) staff members at all times with the campers. One (1) of those staff members must be at least twenty-one (21) years old and one (1) staff member must meet qualifications of the health care worker as defined in Section 7.711.22.B.

G. In the case of trips away from the permanent residential camp, including overnights or travel-trip camps, there must be a day-to-day itinerary prepared prior to departure. The resident camp headquarters must keep a copy of the itinerary. The itinerary must be followed as closely as possible. Camp headquarters must be notified of an itinerary change as soon as possible.

7.711.3CHILD CARE

7.711.31Health Care

A. The camp health program must be under the supervision of an individual qualified as stated at Section 7.711.22, B.

B. At least ten (10) calendar days prior to admission, each camper must furnish a health history which indicates communicable diseases and chronic illnesses or injuries the individual has had, any known drug reactions and allergies, medications being taken, and any necessary health procedures or special diets.

C. The camp must inform its health care worker prior to the first day of care of the enrollment of a child with special health care needs, if known, to ensure staff receives training, delegation and supervision as indicated by the child's individualized health care plan.

D. The camper must present a statement confirming a physical examination, which has been performed within the preceding twenty-four (24) months from the first day of attendance at camp by a health care provider, which includes any physical problems which would limit the camper's activity, and any special care which the child will need.

E. The camper must submit documentation of immunization status or exemption as required by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Colorado law requires proof of immunization or exemption be provided prior to or on the first day of admission.

F. Upon arrival or within twenty-four (24) hours each camper must be observed, by camp staff trained to do so, to identify noticeable evidence of any illness, communicable disease, or signs of abuse. The camp health care worker must meet with campers that have special medications, health procedures, special diet restrictions, known allergic reactions, chronic health conditions or any known physical limitations.

G. The camp must provide evidence that the exclusion of a child that shows signs of illness or communicable disease is in compliance with the exclusion guidelines of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). If a child needs to be excluded the camp must consult a doctor or medical facility as to the child's treatment.

H. If a camper requires medical attention away from the camp site, the camper's parents/guardians must be notified and necessary medical care must be sought from a health care provider or medical facility. Written authorization for medical care must be in the child's file pursuant to Section 7.711.61.A.9.

I. In the case of travel-trip camps, primitive camps, or tramips away from the camp, a copy of the statement which has been signed by the parent or guardian indicating that the camp staff may obtain emergency medical care must be in the possession of staff members accompanying the campers. The original signed statement must be readily accessible.

J. The camp health care worker must be responsible for administering medication to campers. If the health care worker is not a currently Colorado licensed RN or physician, the health care worker may only administer medication prescribed for individual campers as delegated and supervised by an RN or physician. Respiratory therapists may administer medication within their scope of practice.

1. Medication prescribed for campers must be from a licensed pharmacy; labeled with the name, address, and phone number of the pharmacy; name of the camper; name and strength of the medicine; directions for use; date filled; prescription number; and the name of the practitioner prescribing the medicine. When no longer needed or expired, the medication must be returned to the parent or disposed of properly.

A. When the camp has an on-site RN or physician, and campers are on excursions away from the camp, the RN or physician is responsible for determining a safe process for the administration of routine and emergency medications. This process should include:

i. The transfer of medications and associated documents from their usual storage place to portable storage for the trip.

ii. Labeling which includes camper's name, medication, route, dosage, and time the medication should be administered as indicated on the original medication container.

iii. Secure and temperature appropriate storage during the trip.

iv. Hand hygiene during the trip.

v. Appropriate documentation practices during the trip.

vi. The return of medication and associated documents from portable storage for the field trip to their usual on-site storage.

B. If the camp does not have an on-site RN or physician, medications on trips must be in original labeled pharmacy containers

2. A record of any medications administered must be maintained in a medication administration record pursuant to Section 7.711.15, D.

3. All medication at the permanent camp site must be kept in a clean, locked container, except emergency medication such as epinephrine auto injectors or asthma inhalers. On excursions away from the camp, medication must be under the control of an adult and must be stored inaccessible to children.

4. The camp may, with written parental consent and authorization of the prescribing practitioner, permit children who have asthma to carry their own inhalers and use them as directed. All staff must be aware of which children have asthma and which ones may use their own inhalers as needed.

5. Topical preparations such as petroleum jelly and bug sprays may be administered to children with written parental authorization. These preparations may not be applied to open wounds or broken skin unless there is a written order by the prescribing practitioner.

6. Home remedies, including homeopathic medications, must not be administered at camp without written parental consent, authorization of the prescribing practitioner and delegation as required in section 7.711.22.b.3.

K. Standing orders for over the counter medications must be updated annually and are only allowed with parental permission and when administered by a physician or RN.

L. First Aid supplies must be located near food service operations, program areas, maintenance areas, the headquarters of the medical supervisor, and in motor vehicles which are used to transport campers.

M. There must be an identified headquarters of the health care worker at the campsite.

N. Transportation must be available at all times in cases of medical emergency according to the written emergency medical evacuation plan of the camp.

O. To ensure the protection of campers from sun exposure the camp must:

1. Obtain the parent or guardian's written authorization and instructions for applying sunscreen or use of another form of parent or guardian approved sun protection to their children's exposed skin prior to going outside. A doctor's permission is not needed to use sunscreen at the camp;

2. Apply sunscreen, have campers apply sunscreen, or use another form of parent or guardian approved sun protection for campers prior to campers going outside. Sunscreen must be reapplied as directed by the product label;

3. When supplied for an individual camper, the sunscreen must be labeled with the camper's first and last name; and

4. If sunscreen is provided by the camp, parents must be notified in advance, in writing, of the type of sunscreen the camp will use.

7.711.32Guidance

A. Guidance must be appropriate and constructive or educational in nature and may include such measures as diversion, separation of the child from the situation, talking with the child about the situation, or praise for appropriate behavior.

B. Children must not be subjected to physical harm, fear, or humiliation.

C. The program director must not use, or permit a staff member to use corporal or other harsh punishment, including but not limited to pinching, shaking, spanking, punching, biting, kicking, rough handling, hair pulling, or any humiliating or frightening method of guidance.

D. Guidance must not be associated with food, rest, or toileting. Children should never be punished for toileting accidents. Children must not be denied food or forced to eat as a disciplinary measure.

E. Separation, when used as guidance, must not exceed five (5) minutes and must be appropriate for the child's age. The child must be in a safe, lighted, well-ventilated area and be within sight and hearing of an adult. The child must not be isolated in a locked or closed area.

F. Verbal abuse or derogatory remarks about the child are not permitted.

G. Authority for guidance must not be delegated to other children, and the camp must not sanction one child punishing another child.

7.711.33Security Practices

A. The camp must establish a written security procedure and must train staff members and campers regarding this procedure.

B. The camp must report to the local law enforcement office or department the dates of the camp sessions and the location of the camp.

C. When a camper is discharged from camp or when the camp session is over, the child must be returned to the parents/guardians or an adult authorized by the parents/guardians. If the individual is unknown to the staff, identification must be required.

7.711.34Food and Nutrition

A. Each camp must establish a written policy for its nutrition and food service program. This policy must include meal hours, type of food service, staff responsibilities during the time food is served, authorization of special diets, and the administration of the food service program. This policy must be available to all staff members.

B. Foods provided by the camp must be of sufficient quantity and nutritional quality to provide for the dietary needs of each child. Menus must meet the most recently revised recommended daily allowances of the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, adjusted for age, sex, religion, and activity. The only exception must be by written parental or medical direction.

C. Menus must be planned at least a week in advance and must be dated as to the week in use. The current week's menu must be posted in the food preparation area. Food substitutions must be noted on the menus in writing. After use, the menus must be kept on file for the period of the camping season.

D. In travel-trip camps, all menus must be planned prior to leaving and changes noted in writing. Menus must be maintained in file of camp.

7.711.35Transportation

A. Transportation provided by the camp must meet the following requirements:

1. The camp is responsible for any children it transports;

2. The camp must obtain written permission from parents or guardians for any transportation of their child during camp hours;

3. The number of staff members who accompany children when being transported in the vehicle must meet the child care staff ratio found at section 7.711.23 . The driver of the vehicle is considered a staff member;

4. The camp must not permit children under the age of 8 or children under 57" tall to ride in the front seat of a passenger vehicle. Children under 8 must be secured in a child restraint system that is appropriate for the age and development of that child. The child restraint must be safe and free of hazard;

5. Campers must be loaded and unloaded out of the path of moving vehicles;

6. Campers must not be left unattended in the vehicle;

7. For trips away from the camp, a list of individuals on each trip must be readily available either in the vehicle(s) or at the camp office.

B. Requirements for Vehicles

1. Any vehicle used for the transportation of children to and from the camp or during camp activities must meet the following requirements:

a. The vehicle must be enclosed and have door locks;

b. The seats of the vehicle must be constructed and installed according to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications;

c. The vehicle must be kept in satisfactory condition to assure the safety of occupants. Vehicle tires, brakes, and lights must be operational, safe and free of hazard;

d. Seating must be comfortable with a seat of at least ten (10) inches wide for each child;

e. Vehicles must be loaded only within the passenger seating limit established by the vehicle manufacturer; and

f. Each vehicle must have a first aid kit.

2. In passenger vehicles, with a manufacturer's established capacity of sixteen (16) or fewer passengers and less than 10,000 pounds, the following is required:

a. Each camper and staff member must be restrained in an individual seat belt; and

b. Campers and staff must be instructed and required to keep the seat belt properly fastened and adjusted.

3. In vehicles with a manufacturer's established capacity of sixteen (16) or more passengers, seat belts for passengers are not required.

C. Requirements for Drivers of Vehicles

1. All drivers of vehicles transporting children must operate the vehicle is a safe and appropriate manner.

2. The camp must verify that all drivers meet minimum requirements, including:

a. Driving records that have been reviewed within the last four months for seasonally hired drivers or within the last twelve months for year-round drivers to determine driver suitability;

b. Drivers have the appropriate license for the vehicles to be driven;

c. Drivers must have current department-approved first aid and CPR certification;

d. All drivers must be at least twenty (20) years of age;

e. Drivers must complete a minimum of four (4) hours of driver training that includes at a minimum: behind the wheel training; participant transport attendance procedures including taking attendance at the destination; managing behavioral issues; loading and unloading procedures; daily vehicle inspection procedure; proper tire inflation; emergency equipment and how to use it; accident procedures; passenger illness procedures; procedures for backing up; and, if buses are used, evacuation procedures;

3. The driver must ensure that all doors are secured at all times when the vehicle is moving;

4. The driver must make a good faith effort to ensure that each child is properly belted throughout the trip; and

5. The driver must not eat or use a cellular or other mobile device while driving.

7.711.4RECORDS FOR CHILDREN AND PERSONNEL

7.711.41Children's Records

A. Prior to the child's attendance at camp, the following information must be obtained and maintained at the campsite for each camper:

1. Child's name, birth date, and address.

2. Parent's or guardian's names, home and employment addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses.

3. Name, address and telephone number of emergency contacts.

4. Name, address, and telephone number of individuals authorized to take the child from camp if different from the parent or guardian.

5. Dates of the camp session which the child will attend.

6. Name and telephone number of the child's health care provider.

7. Authorization signed by the parents/guardians, giving authority for the camp to obtain emergency medical care.

8. Authorization signed by the parents/guardians of the child to participate in all special trips or excursions away from the campsite.

9. Indication of any camp activity in which the parents/guardians of the child does not wish the child to participate (see Section 7.719, et seq.).

10. Physical examination, health history and immunization as required in Section 7.711.51.C-D.

7.711.42Staff Records

There must be maintained at the campsite a record for each staff member, paid or volunteer, which must include the following:

A. Name, address, and birth date of the individual.

B. Training, education, and experience of the staff member.

C. Copies of any required certification or other training confirming qualifications for the responsibilities assigned at the camp.

D. Copy of a health history as required in Section 7.711.21.E.

E. Name, address, and telephone number of any person(s) to be notified in the event of an emergency.

F. Copy of the written references or note of phone references pursuant to Section 7.711.21.D.

G. Copy of the signed letter of agreement pursuant to Section 7.711.21.C.

H. The dates of employment for each staff member.

7.711.43General Information

A. The camper's file must be retained by the camp for at least three (3) years after the child's last day of attendance at the camp, and must be available without restriction to Department.

B. Personnel and children's records must be maintained by the camp for at least three (3) years. If the record reflects an accident, injury, or other unusual circumstance, it is suggested that the record be maintained for a longer period of time.

7.711.5CAMPSITE, PHYSICAL FACILITY, FIRE SAFETY AND SANITATION

7.711.51Campsites

A. Travel-trip camps must submit plans for approval by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, thirty (30) days prior to the date the trip camp begins. The travel-trip camp must maintain written evidence of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approval.

B. The camp must conform to fire prevention and protection requirements of local fire departments in the locality of the camp. In the case of a travel-trip camp, the fire department approval is not required.

C. The camp must identify hazards and high-risk areas and develop policies they follow to prevent unauthorized access to these hazards and high-risk areas.

D. Each camp must have a telephone or means of communication to contact emergency services.

E. Emergency telephone numbers must be posted the camp health care professional, nearest clinic or hospital, ambulance service, local sheriff's office, national or state forest service office (as appropriate), fire department or lookout station, and poison control center.

F. In the case of a primitive camp or travel-trip camp, sources of emergency care and methods of communication with such facilities as hospitals, police, and forest service must be identified for each campsite on the itinerary.

G. When playground equipment is provided at a residential camp, the equipment and playground area must be free of obstruction and man-made or natural hazards and must be away from natural pathways of traffic.

H. Playground equipment must meet the following requirements:

1. Be in good repair, of solid and safe construction, free of rough edges, protruding bolts, and the possibility of entrapment of extremities.

2. Be securely anchored by suitable footing.

3. Swings must have seats made of a flexible material.

4. Moving equipment must be located toward the edge or corner of a play area or be designed in such a way as to discourage children from running into the path of the moving equipment.

5. Metal equipment must be placed in the shade or a shade structure must be provided.

6. The maximum height of any piece of playground equipment is six (6) feet.

7. All pieces of playground equipment must be designed to guard against entrapment and strangulation.

8. All pieces of permanently installed playground equipment must be surrounded by a resilient surface of a depth of at least six (6) inches. Rubber mats manufactured for such use if safe and free from hazard may be used in place of resilient material.

9. Department-approved resilient surfacing includes loose fill materials such as wood chips, wood mulch, engineered wood fiber, pea gravel, synthetic pea gravel, shredded rubber tires, and fine loose sand. Solid unitary materials include poured in place surfacing, approved rubber mats, playground tiles, and astro turf with built in resilient pad.

10. Any permanently installed outdoor climbing equipment or portable climbing equipment eighteen (18) inches or higher must have Department-approved resilient surfacing underneath and in the use zone surrounding the equipment, and installed according to manufacturer instructions.

11. Playground surfaces must be checked prior to use for the presence of dangerous or other foreign materials. Playground equipment must be checked for safety on a monthly basis and written documentation of the safety check must be maintained.

I. If the residential camp is located on or uses national or state lands, the director must familiarize the staff and campers with rules and ethics governing the use of such property and must be responsible for compliance.

J. An itinerary must be filed or an arrangement must be made with national or state forest service office if such land is to be used by the travel-trip camp. The director must familiarize the staff and campers with rules governing the use of such property. Should the travel-trip camp pass onto private land, an agreement must be made with the individual responsible for that land prior to access.

K. In indoor structures where the program uses any source of coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, natural gas or any other product that can produce carbon monoxide indoors, an operational carbon monoxide detector must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Carbon monoxide detectors must be tested at least annually with documentation available upon request. Carbon monoxide detectors that are only battery-powered must meet the following requirements:

1. Tested monthly to ensure they are operational.

2. Batteries changed at least yearly.

7.711.52Permanent and Semi-Permanent Shelters and Sleeping Facilities

A. All structures used by children must be kept in good repair at all times.

B. At least one-half of the floor area in each living unit, excluding tents, must have a minimum ceiling height of seven (7) feet. No portion of a room having a ceiling height of less than five (5) feet will be considered as usable floor space.

C. If fabric structures are used they must be constructed of a fire- and flame-retardant material.

D. Each camper must be provided with his or her own mat, pad, bed, or cot.

E. The aisles between rows of cots, beds, or bunks must be kept clear for exiting purposes. There must be at least two (2) feet of clear space separating sides of cots, beds or bunks.

F. If bunk beds are in use, no bunks may contain more than two tiers of beds. There must be at least twenty-seven (27) inches of clear space separating the tiers of beds and thirty-six (36) inches of clear space between the top tier and the ceiling. Electric lights which are within reach of the top bunk must be protected.

G. Each permanent sleeping unit, building, or tent must have at least thirty (30) square feet of floor space per person, camper, or counselor for single-tier beds and twenty (20) square feet per person, camper, or counselor for two-tier bunks.

H. In tent structures which have a platform floor, beds or bunks must be arranged in such a fashion that no camper who might fall from a bed or bunk could fall through the sides of the tent to the ground below.

I. No camper shall sleep in the same room or tent with any person of the opposite gender, except for members of his or her immediate family.

J. In a primitive camp or travel-trip camp, adequate shelters such as a tent must be available for each child. The shelter occupancy must be in compliance with manufacturers' recommendations.

7.711.53Toilet and Bathing Facilities

A. In a resident camp there must be one approved toilet for every twenty (20) or fewer campers for which the camp is licensed. Urinals may be substituted for no more than one-third of the required toilets.

B. Children must be allowed the use of gender-segregated toilet facilities that are consistent with their gender identity or have individual toilet facilities.

C. Hand washing facilities must be provided throughout the camp. There must be one basin or lavatory for per every twenty (20) campers. In new construction completed after April 1, 2018, change of governing body or extensive remodeling the camp must provide hand washing facilities located adjacent to where the camp serves meals.

D. Showers or bathtubs must be located within buildings used for sleeping, such as cabins or dormitories, or in a centrally located shower or bathing structure.

1. There must be one shower head or bathtub per every twenty (20) campers for which the camp is licensed.

2. Hand washing facilities must be available in the shower or bathing area.

E. Camps must provide evidence that all sewage disposable systems must meet Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requirements.

7.711.54General Building Safety

A. Every building, structure, tent, cabin, and camp premises must be kept in good repair, and must be maintained in a safe condition.

B. All construction and electrical installations must be safe and free from hazard.

C. In permanent structures, exit signs must be posted at every required exit doorway and wherever otherwise required to clearly indicate the directions of egress.

D. A building with occupancy of more than twelve (12) persons must be provided with at least two independent means of egress separated by no less than fifty (50) percent of the largest dimension of the building from each other.

1. In an existing building, such as a cabin occupied by more than twelve (12) but less than twenty (20) persons, a window may be utilized as an acceptable second exit. The window must be openable and the distance from the window to the ground must not be more than four feet.

2. Each exit door must be hung to swing in the direction of exit travel. Exiting through a food preparation area is not permitted.

E. If buildings with second stories are used by campers, there must be two independent means of egress separated by no less than fifty (50) percent of the building from each other per floor.

F. The camp must provide evidence each fire escape from any upper level of a building is installed in accordance with local fire protection ordinances.

G. In every building or structure, exits must be arranged and maintained so as to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure at all times when it is occupied. No lock or fastening to prevent free escape from the inside of any building can be installed. Only panic hardware or single-action hardware is permitted on a door or on a pair of doors. All door hardware must be within the reach of children.

H. Exit doors must be equipped only with panic or single-action hardware.

I. There must be fifteen (15) square feet per occupant in any room having an occupant load of more than fifty (50) persons where fixed seats are not installed and which is used for classroom, assembly, or similar purposes. The maximum occupancy must be posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit from the room.

J. Furnaces, fireplaces, heaters, or wood-burning stoves must meet the following regulations:

1. All heating units must be and maintained with safety devices to prevent fire, explosions, and other hazards. No open-flame gas or oil stoves, unscreened fireplaces, hot plates, or unvented heaters can be used for heating purposes. All heating elements, including hot water pipes, must be insulated or installed in such a way that children cannot come in contact with them.

2. A heater or wood-burning stove must be located and/or protected in such a manner as to prevent injuries to occupants of the building.

3. Wood-burning stoves must be regularly cleaned of ashes, which are immediately removed from the building and properly stored.

4. Space around furnaces, heaters, and wood-burning stoves must not be used for storage.

K. All firearms must be locked and inaccessible to children. This includes, but is not limited to air rifles, bb guns, and paintball guns. Ammunition must be locked and stored separately.

L. Power tools, explosives and special equipment involving unusual risk must be stored in a locked place inaccessible to children, and must always be under the custody and direct supervision of authorized personnel when in use.

M. Volatile substances such as gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and oil- based paints, firearms, explosives, and other hazardous items must not be stored in any area of the building used for children unless approved by the local fire department.

N. Substances which may be toxic to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled, including, but not limited to, poisons, drugs, medicines, insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, bleaches, chemicals, and corrosive agents must be stored in a cabinet or enclosure located in an area not used by children, stored in the original container, and properly labeled.

O. Glass doors, walls, or panels must be clearly marked. Safety glass must be installed when required.

P. Stairways of a height of more than thirty (30) inches must be equipped with handrails on each side of the stairways. A stairway which is larger than 88 inches wide must have an intermediate handrail equal distance between the two handrails.

Q. All window wells and outside stairwells that are hazardous to children must be equipped with screens or guards, which must be attached in such a manner that they may either by removed from the inside or broken in from the outside in case of fire.

R. All areas accessible to children must be maintained in a safe condition by removal of debris, dilapidated structures, and broken or worn equipment or dangerous items.

7.711.55Fire Safety Provisions

A. Any fire extinguisher used at the camp must be of a dry chemical type, hung at a level readily available to staff members, and annually inspected by an approved inspector. Indian pump backpack fire extinguishers and fire extinguishers approved for use by the U.S. Forest Services are also acceptable.

1. There must be a fire extinguisher located in the camp kitchen.

2. In each building and/or structure, there must be a fire extinguisher on each floor.

3. In tent areas, there must be a fire extinguisher located within seventy-five (75) feet of each tent or a plan approved by the department.

B. In each camp there must be a fire alarm(s) must sounds a separate and distinctly recognizable tone from all other signaling devices used by the camp. The alarm(s) must be audible throughout the occupied camp premises. The alarm device, once activated, must continue to sound automatically.

C. Within twenty-four (24) hours after arrival at the campsite, all individuals attending the camp must be made familiar with the methods by which the fire alarm may be activated and with procedures to be followed upon notification of fire.

D. Each separate building used for sleeping campers and each multistory building must be protected by a smoke detector on each floor of the building.

E. Areas used for campfires must be cleared and must be away from overhanging branches.

F. Campfires must never be left unattended and must be thoroughly extinguished. Extinguishing equipment must immediately accessible.

G. Campfires and open flames of any type must be prohibited within 10 feet of any tent or fabric structure.

12 CCR 2509-8-7.711

37 CR 13, July 10, 2014, effective 8/1/2014

38 CR 04, February 25, 2015, effective 4/1/2015

38 CR 17, September 10, 2015, effective 10/1/2015

38 CR 19, October 10, 2015, effective 11/1/2015

38 CR 23, December 10, 2015, effective 1/1/2016

39 CR 01, January 10, 2016, effective 2/1/2016

39 CR 17, September 10, 2016, effective 10/1/2016

40 CR 05, March 10, 2017, effective 4/1/2017

40 CR 17, September 10, 2017, effective 10/1/2017

41 CR 01, January 10, 2018, effective 2/1/2018

41 CR 03, February 10, 2018, effective 3/2/2018

41 CR 05, March 10, 2018, effective 4/1/2018

41 CR 17, September 10, 2018, effective 9/30/2018

40 CR 23, December 10, 2017, effective 12/30/2018

41 CR 23, December 10, 2018, effective 1/1/2019

42 CR 01, January 10, 2019, effective 2/1/2019

42 CR 03, February 10, 2019, effective 3/15/2019

42 CR 09, May 10, 2019, effective 6/1/2019

43 CR 01, January 10, 2020, effective 1/30/2020

43 CR 15, August 10, 2020, effective 9/1/2020

43 CR 17, September 10, 2020, effective 9/30/2020

44 CR 01, January 10, 2021, effective 1/30/2021

44 CR 05, March 10, 2021, effective 4/1/2021

44 CR 11, June 10, 2021, effective 6/30/2021

44 CR 17, September 10, 2021, effective 10/1/2021

44 CR 21, November 10, 2021, effective 12/1/2021

45 CR 15, August 10, 2022, effective 7/8/2022

45 CR 17, September 10, 2022, effective 9/30/2022

46 CR 03, February 10, 2022, effective 3/2/2023

46 CR 05, March 10, 2023, effective 4/1/2023

46 CR 07, April 10, 2023, effective 6/1/2023