a. “Youth camp” means any parcel or parcels of land having the general characteristics and features of a camp as the term is generally understood, used wholly or in part for recreational or educational purposes and accommodating five or more children under 18 years of age for a period of, or portions of, 2 days or more, and includes a site that is operated as a day camp or as a resident camp, except that a day program which offers only a minimal recreational component shall not be considered a youth camp; however, no such program shall include any hazardous recreational activity such as but not limited to aquatics, archery, horseback riding and riflery without first obtaining the prior written approval of the Department of Health. Failure to obtain such approval or comply with the regulations established for the activity involved shall subject the program to penalties in accordance with sections 10 and 11 of P.L.1973, c. 375 (C. 26:12-10 and 26:12-11).

b. “Youth camp safety standards” means criteria directed toward safe operations of youth camps, in such areas as, but not limited to, personnel qualifications for director and staff, ratio of staff to campers, sanitation and public health, personal health, first aid and medical services, food handling, mass feeding and cleanliness, water supply and waste disposal, water safety including use of lakes and rivers, swimming and boating equipment and practices, vehicle condition and operation, building and site design, equipment, condition and density of use, emergency evacuation procedures and fire safety.

c. “Youth camp operator” means any private agency, organization, or person, and any individual, who operates, controls or supervises a youth camp, whether such camp is operated for profit or not for profit.

d. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Health or any of his authorized deputies, representatives, agents or employees.

L.1973, c. 375, s. 3, eff. Jan. 9, 1974. Amended by L.1981, c. 536, s. 1, eff. Jan. 12, 1982.