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How the guarantee works →Maryland camp licensing requirements.
Who licenses day camps and overnight camps in Maryland, under which rules, and who is exempt. Last checked November 2, 2026.
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Day camps and overnight camps in Maryland
| Camp type | What the state asks | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | State certificate | Day camps are youth camps and need a youth camp certificate, or a letter of compliance for religious operators, from the Maryland Department of Health.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | State certificate | Residential camps, where campers live away from family for at least 5 consecutive days, are youth camps and need the same certificate.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Who oversees camps in Maryland
| Agency | What it does |
|---|---|
| Maryland Department of Health, Youth Camps Program (Center for Recreation and Community Environmental Health Services) | Certifies and regulates all youth camps in Maryland.Source: Youth Camp Certification, Maryland Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Staff-to-camper ratios in Maryland
One staff member to the number of campers shown, as the rule sets it.
| Applies to | Group | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Day and overnight camps | Campers 3-1/2 to 5 years old, routine activities | 1:8Source: .54 Supervision of Campers During Routine Activities. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day and overnight camps | Campers 6 to 10 years old, routine activities | 1:15Source: .54 Supervision of Campers During Routine Activities. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day and overnight camps | Campers 11 years old or older, routine activities | 1:15Source: .54 Supervision of Campers During Routine Activities. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Exemptions
- Programs run by a county or city recreation department, or the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, at neighborhood facilities, subject to Regulation .03.Source: .01 Scope. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Overnight programs sponsored by religious or community organizations lasting no more than 5 consecutive days a year, such as vacation Bible school.Source: .01 Scope. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Licensed child care centers, child care programs and family child care homes are not youth camps.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Instruction in a specialized activity offered for 2 hours or less a day.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Competitive activities sponsored by a sports league or the United States Pony Clubs.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Summer school offered for academic credit and taught by a certified teacher.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Activities where each child's parent or guardian is present, takes part and oversees the child throughout.Source: .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06), Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
Official rules
- COMAR 10.16.06
Certification for Youth CampsMaryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026. - Md. Code Ann., Health-General §§ 14-401 to 14-411
Youth camps (statute)Maryland General Assembly. Checked November 2, 2026.
Sources
Every source is an official government page.
- Youth Camp CertificationMaryland Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- .02 Definitions. (COMAR 10.16.06)Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- .07 Certification or Letter of Compliance. (COMAR 10.16.06)Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- .54 Supervision of Campers During Routine Activities. (COMAR 10.16.06)Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- .01 Scope. (COMAR 10.16.06)Maryland Division of State Documents, Library of Maryland Regulations. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Statute Text: Health-General §14-401Maryland General Assembly. Checked November 2, 2026.
About this page
We read each source above on an official government site on November 2, 2026. Each fact links to the page it came from.
Rules change, and local rules can add to them. Confirm with the agency before you open or change a program.
This page is a summary of public rules. It is not legal advice, and Bloomily does not file license applications.
Camp licensing in other states
- Alabama
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Arizona
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Arkansas
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- California
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state camp rules.
- Colorado
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Connecticut
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Delaware
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Florida
Day camps: no state license. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Georgia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Idaho
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Illinois
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Indiana
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state camp rules.
- Kentucky
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Louisiana
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Maine
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Massachusetts
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Michigan
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Mississippi
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Missouri
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Montana
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Nebraska
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: no state license.
- Nevada
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- New Hampshire
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- New Jersey
Day camps: state certificate. Overnight camps: state certificate.
- New York
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- North Dakota
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Ohio
Day camps: state registration. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Oregon
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- South Carolina
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- South Dakota
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Tennessee
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Texas
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Vermont
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Virginia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Washington
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state registration.
- West Virginia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Wisconsin
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
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