Children's Camp Permits

Step 1.Review Cover Letter and Camp Directors Meeting Presentation

Before you begin, carefully read the cover letter and Camp Director's Meeting Presentation. 

Step 2.Schedule a Meeting with DOH Staff

If this is your first time applying for a permit to operate a summer camp, call the Environmental Health Services Division at (845) 340-3010 to schedule a meeting.

Step 3.Application

Complete sections A, B, F, G, & H of the Application for a Permit to Operate (DOH-3915).

Step 4.Additional Required Forms

• Children's Camp Facility and Staff Description (DOH-367)
• Children’s Camp Additional Staff Qualifications (DOH-367a)
• Children's Camp Written Plan Checklist (DOH-2040)
• Prospective Children's Camp Director Certified Statement (DOH-2271)

Step 5.Safety Plan

Use the Safety Plan Template to

Step 6.Background Checks

For each employee, you must perform a NYS Sex Offender Registry check and a National Sex Offender Registry check. See DOH NYS-Sex Offender Registry Search(PDF, 26KB) for more information.

Step 7.Medical and Aquatic Staff Certifications

Step 8.Water Samples and System Startup Procedures

Gather your certification of water system startup procedure and preoperational water sample results for bacteriological and nitrate.

Step 9.Safety Documentation

Gather proof of all required inspection reports for:

• fire alarms
• sprinklers
• fire extinguisher
• kitchen fire suppression systems
• elevators

Step 10.Additional Requirements for Camps Serving Special Needs Children

Justice Center and Staff Exclusion List information that needs to be completed.  

Step 11.Insurance Documents

New York State Law requires every facility to have workers’ compensation and disability insurance or to have a CE-200 Exemption form from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Learn more about required insurance forms and gather your documents.

Step 12.Prepare Payment

Refer to the cover letter to determine your application fee. Include water sample fee and late fee, if applicable. 

You may pay by cash, check, or money order. If paying by check or money order, make payable to: Ulster County Commissioner of Finance.

ALL APPLICATION/PERMIT FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Step 13.Submit Application

You may send your application by mail, or deliver it in person during our business hours to:

Ulster County Department of Health
Environmental Health Services
239 Golden Hill Lane
Kingston, New York 12401

Make sure to include:

• Fully completed application, including signature on page 4
• Additional forms:
  • DOH-367
  • DOH-367a
  • DOH-2040
  • DOH-2271
• NYS and National Sex Offender Registry results
• Safety Plan
• All certifications for medical/aquatic staff
• proof of all required fire alarm, sprinkler, fire extinguisher, kitchen fire suppression system and elevator inspection reports
• Certification of water system startup procedure and preoperational water sample results
• Insurance documents (WC/DB or CE200)
• Fee

The application cannot be processed if ANY of the required information is missing or incomplete. Incomplete applications will be returned and subject to a $75.00 late fee, if applicable.

Step 14.Pre-Operation Inspection

Once your application is received, the Department of Health will inspect your facility.

Step 15.Permit Issued

If the preoperational inspection is satisfactory, the Department of Health will issue your permit.