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How the guarantee works →Wisconsin camp licensing requirements.
Who licenses day camps and overnight camps in Wisconsin, under which rules, and who is exempt. Last checked November 2, 2026.
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Day camps and overnight camps in Wisconsin
| Camp type | What the state asks | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | Depends on the program | Day camps caring for four or more children under age 7 need a Department of Children and Families day camp license.Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children With Commentary, DCF-P-2532 (DCF 252.05 Licensing administration), Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | State license | Recreational and educational camps, which provide overnight living quarters, need a DATCP license unless an exemption in ATCP 78 applies.Source: Wisconsin Legislature: ATCP 78.07, Wisconsin State Legislature. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Who oversees camps in Wisconsin
| Agency | What it does |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, child care licensing | Licenses day camps under chapter DCF 252.Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) | Licenses recreational and educational camps, which provide overnight living quarters for campers.Source: Recreational and Educational Camps, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Staff-to-camper ratios in Wisconsin
One staff member to the number of campers shown, as the rule sets it.
| Applies to | Group | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | Children 3 years to 4 years | 1:4Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Children 4 years to 5 years | 1:6Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Children 5 years and 6 years | 1:12Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Children 7 years and over | 1:18Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Swimming: people with a current Red Cross lifesaving certificate to children in the water | 1:25Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Exemptions
- Seasonal programs of 10 days or less in any 3-month period, including day camps, are outside the day camp rule.Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Programs that operate no more than 4 hours a week, including religious education classes, are outside the day camp rule.Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Group lessons to develop a talent or skill, social group activities and group athletic activities are outside the day camp rule.Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Local governments, school districts and libraries running social or recreational programs for children are exempt from the license requirement under s. 48.65.Source: Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
Official rules
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. DCF 252
Licensing Rules for Day Camps for ChildrenWisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
Sources
Every source is an official government page.
- Licensing Rules for Day Camps for ChildrenWisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children With Commentary, DCF-P-2532 (DCF 252.05 Licensing administration)Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Recreational and Educational CampsWisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Wisconsin Legislature: ATCP 78.07Wisconsin State Legislature. 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.
- 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.
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