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How the guarantee works →New Jersey camp licensing requirements.
Who licenses day camps and overnight camps in New Jersey, under which rules, and who is exempt. Last checked November 2, 2026.
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Day camps and overnight camps in New Jersey
| Camp type | What the state asks | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | State certificate | Day camps apply to the Department of Health for youth camp approval, with a $50 filing fee.Source: New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Standards, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | State certificate | Resident camps apply the same way, with a $100 filing fee.Source: New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Standards, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Who oversees camps in New Jersey
| Agency | What it does |
|---|---|
| New Jersey Department of Health, Youth Camp Safety Project (Public Health and Food Protection Program) | Issues youth camp permits (certificates of approval) and enforces the youth camp safety rule.Source: Department of Health | Environmental Health | Youth Camps, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Local health authorities (local boards of health) | Inspect every youth camp in their jurisdiction.Source: New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Standards, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Exemptions
- A day program with only a minimal recreational component and no high risk activity is not a youth camp.Source: New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Standards, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Programs serving fewer than five children, or meeting less than two days in the same week, fall outside the youth camp definition.Source: New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Standards, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Public entities running youth camps with high risk activities are encouraged to register but are not required to.Source: Youth Camps: Frequently Asked Questions, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Organized school recreational sports, such as school or local and regional sports teams, are exempt from Youth Camp Safety Project regulation.Source: Department of Health | Environmental Health | Apply/Renew, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Licensed child care centers do not have to apply unless they operate an onsite swimming pool; they may apply voluntarily.Source: Department of Health | Environmental Health | Apply/Renew, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- The Department may exempt a youth camp or activity after reviewing it, inspecting it and finding it equally safe.Source: New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Standards, New Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
Official rules
- N.J.A.C. 8:25
New Jersey Youth Camp Safety StandardsNew Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. - N.J.S.A. 26:12-1 et seq.
New Jersey Youth Camp Safety ActNew Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
Sources
Every source is an official government page.
- Department of Health | Environmental Health | Youth CampsNew Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8 – Health, Chapter 25 - New Jersey Youth Camp Safety StandardsNew Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Youth Camps: Frequently Asked QuestionsNew Jersey Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Department of Health | Environmental Health | Apply/RenewNew Jersey Department of Health. 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.
- Maryland
Day camps: state certificate. Overnight camps: state certificate.
- 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 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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