About Camps

Camps for children are generally understood as locations with supervised activities for children under the age of 18 that provide social, recreational or educational activities. These can range from a few hours each day or multi-day camps with overnight stays.

Camps with four (4) or more overnight stays are classified as Organized Camps under state law and are currently regulated by the Department of Public Health (Public Health).

Effective January 1, 2023, Public Health will begin regulating additional camps located in the unincorporated areas of the County if they meet the below definition of a Children's Camp:

  1. The site has programs and facilities attended by 5 or more children ages 3-17;
  2. The primary purpose is providing group experience with social, spiritual, educational, or recreational objectives; and
  3. The site operates for over 3 hours per day for at least 5 days during any 12-month period.

Both Organized Camps and Children's Camps require approval by Public Health to operate and must either obtain a Public Health Permit or Public Health Registration.

Requirement Camps
Public Health Permit

All Organized Camps operating anywhere in Los Angeles County are required to maintain a valid annual Public Health Permit.

All Children's Camps in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County if they operate more than four (4) weeks in any 12-month period.

Public Health Registration All Children's Camps in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County are required to Register with Public Health if they operate four (4) weeks or less in any 12-month period.

Click on the appropriate link below to learn more about the requirements for Organized Camps and Children's Camps

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