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How the guarantee works →Texas camp licensing requirements.
Who licenses day camps and overnight camps in Texas, under which rules, and who is exempt. Last checked November 2, 2026.
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Day camps and overnight camps in Texas
| Camp type | What the state asks | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | State license | A day camp that meets the youth camp definition needs a youth camp license from the Department of State Health Services before operating.Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | State license | A resident camp that meets the youth camp definition needs a youth camp license from the Department of State Health Services before operating.Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Who oversees camps in Texas
| Agency | What it does |
|---|---|
| Texas Department of State Health Services, Youth Camp Program | Licenses youth camps and may inspect any youth camp during operation for compliance with the Youth Camp Safety and Health Act.Source: Youth Camp Program, Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation | Regulates child care operations, which can include camp programs that do not meet the youth camp definition.Source: License Qualification Package - Youth Camp Program, Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Staff-to-camper ratios in Texas
One staff member to the number of campers shown, as the rule sets it.
| Applies to | Group | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Day and overnight camps | Campers in the camp (each adult supervisor) | 1:10Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day and overnight camps | All-camp sedentary activity not requiring physical activity | 1:25Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Overnight stays, campers four to five years of age | 1:5Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Overnight stays, campers six to eight years of age | 1:6Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Overnight stays, campers nine to 14 years of age | 1:8Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Overnight stays, campers 15 to 17 years of age | 1:10Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day and overnight camps | Campers using primitive or wilderness campsites | 1:10Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Exemptions
- Camp programs that miss any youth camp criterion, such as four consecutive days, are not youth camps but may be child care.Source: License Qualification Package - Youth Camp Program, Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Facilities required to be licensed by the Health and Human Services Commission are not youth camps under the rules.Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026), Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Services a licensed youth camp offers that do not meet the criteria, such as weekend retreats, are not regulated under the youth camp laws.Source: License Qualification Package - Youth Camp Program, Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- A youth camp licensed by the Department of State Health Services does not also need a child care license.Source: Human Resources Code Chapter 42. Regulation of Certain Facilities, Homes, and Agencies that Provide Child-Care Services, Texas Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026.
- The child care license law does not cover a facility operating under three consecutive weeks and under 40 days in 12 months.Source: Human Resources Code Chapter 42. Regulation of Certain Facilities, Homes, and Agencies that Provide Child-Care Services, Texas Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026.
- The child care license law does not apply to a summer religious instruction school run by a religious organization lasting no longer than two weeks.Source: Human Resources Code Chapter 42. Regulation of Certain Facilities, Homes, and Agencies that Provide Child-Care Services, Texas Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026.
- The child care license law does not cover single-skill instruction programs that meet listed conditions, including parent notice and background checks.Source: Human Resources Code Chapter 42. Regulation of Certain Facilities, Homes, and Agencies that Provide Child-Care Services, Texas Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026.
Official rules
- 25 Tex. Admin. Code ch. 265, subch. B
Texas Youth Camps Safety and HealthTexas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026. - Tex. Hum. Res. Code §42.041
Required License (child care)Texas Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026.
Sources
Every source is an official government page.
- Youth Camp ProgramTexas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- License Qualification Package - Youth Camp ProgramTexas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 265, Subchapter B, Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health (as in effect on 02/02/2026)Texas Department of State Health Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Human Resources Code Chapter 42. Regulation of Certain Facilities, Homes, and Agencies that Provide Child-Care ServicesTexas Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Laws and Rules - Youth Camp ProgramTexas Department of State Health Services. 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 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.
- 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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