16 Del. Admin. Code § 4467-9.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 4467-9.0 - General Supervision

9.1 Ratio of Counselor to Campers

9.1.1 Residential Camps shall have one counselor to 10 campers. Day Camps shall have one counselor to six campers under age 6; one counselor to nine campers under age 8; one counselor to 10 campers 8 years and older.

9.1.2 Primitive and Travel Camps shall have one counselor to 10 campers, with a minimum of two counselors. A maximum of 25 percent of the counselors may include individuals 16 and 17 years of age, provided that these individuals have proper training and supervision.

9.2 Camp Director.

9.2.1 It is recommended that each residential and day camp shall have a camp director on the premises who shall meet at least two of the following criteria:

9.2.1.1 be at least 25 years of age for residential or 21 years of age for day campers;

9.2.1.2 have successfully completed a course in camping administration such as those offered by national professional camping associations, national agencies, or their equivalent; or

9.2.1.3 have had at least two season's previous experience as part of the administrative staff of a youth camp.

9.2.2 In addition, the director should possess and demonstrate proof of previous experience in supervising a youth group in similar camping activities. Each Primitive and Travel Camp shall have a counselor accompany the campers who shall be at least 18 years old.

9.3 Supervision of Specialized Activities. When campers participate in specialized or high-risk activities such as, but not limited to, horseback riding, hiking, scuba diving, canoeing, and aquatic events, the counselors supervising the activity should possess evidence of appropriate training and experience in their program specialties. When applicable, adequate provisions shall be made to assure any special training necessary for camp personnel to protect the safety and health of handicapped campers.

9.4 Aquatic activities, including those events associated with swimming, boating, canoeing, watercraft and water skiing shall be directed by individuals currently certified as Red Cross Water Safety Instructors or YMCA Aquatic Instructor or the equivalent. When the aquatics director supervises two or more aquatic staff members, the director shall be at least 18 years of age.

9.5 Swimming activity supervision, in addition to the aquatics director, shall include a minimum ratio of one person with at least an Advanced Life Saving Certificate as issued by the American National Red Cross or YMCA Life Saving and Life Guarding Certificate per 30 campers in the water. There shall be a minimum of one to ten total staff to camper ratio maintained at all times.

9.6 All watercraft activities shall be supervised by a minimum of one counselor on the water to each 12 campers in watercraft. Said counselor shall possess at least one of the following criteria:

9.6.1 have participated in three white water canoe or raft trips totaling at least 6 hours on the water;

9.6.2 have had at least six hours of practical instruction in survival and stream safety as taught by the American National Red Cross or its equivalent; or

9.6.3 one counselor must hold a current American Red Cross Small Craft Certificate. All counselors and campers are to wear PFD's while on the water.

9.6.4 Youth campers shall possess at least an American National Red Cross Advanced Beginner Swimming Certificate, American National Red Cross Survival Swimming Certificate, or its equivalent before being allowed to participate in salt water boating activities.

9.7 Fishing and shoreline activities shall be supervised.

9.8 Scuba diving activities shall be supervised by individuals who are currently certified by a national or regionally acceptable scuba training program.

9.9 Firearm activities shall be supervised by an individual who possesses a current National Rifle Association instructor's care or its equivalent. In addition, a ratio of one counselor per 10 campers on the range shall be maintained at all times.

9.10 Archery activities shall be supervised by an individual who possesses a current certificate as issued by a national or regional professional archery association.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 4467-9.0