No youth camp which is now or hereafter shall be established shall be operated or conducted, except by authority of a valid certificate of approval issued by the commissioner under the rules and regulations prescribed by him. Application for the issuance or renewal of certificate shall be made upon a form prescribed by the commissioner, shall set forth the location of the camp and the operator thereof, and shall be accompanied by a fee to be set in the discretion of the commissioner but not to exceed $50.00 for day camps and $100.00 for resident camps which fee shall be returned if the application is denied.
N.J.S. § 26:12-6