Home / Ohio’s rules / Approved day camps
What is an “approved” day camp in Ohio?
The law’s definition and conditions are quoted below: an inspection by the department, and accreditation. The ratios and the lifeguard number on this page are from the rules for approved day camps.
Listed, not checked. We have not visited, inspected, rated or endorsed any camp named on this page, and a camp being named here says nothing about how it is run. Each fact is the operator’s or the agency’s own wording, with a link to the page it came from. Read the questions to ask and put them to the camp yourself.
How does a camp become approved?
“"Approved child day camp" means a child day camp approved pursuant to section 5104.22 of the Revised Code.”
“The department shall approve any child day camp that meets both of the following:”
“(1) The department inspects the camp and determines that it meets the standards established in rules adopted under this section;”
“(2) The camp is accredited by the American camp association or a nationally recognized organization that accredits child day camps by using standards that the department has determined are substantially similar and comparable to those of the American camp association.”
“The department shall approve a child day camp for a period of one year and shall inspect an approved child day camp on an annual basis.”
From the rule, on inspections: Comply with an initial pre-approval inspection by DCY.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026) Approvals that have been renewed shall have at least one unannounced inspection by DCY per camp season.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)
Why does approval exist?
The statute gives the purpose. The director shall adopt rules establishing a procedure and standards for the approval of child day camps that will enable an approved child day camp to receive public moneys pursuant to sections 5104.30 to 5104.39 of the Revised Code.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025) More on help paying.
What ratios does Ohio set for approved camps?
The approved child day camp shall ensure that the following day camp staff members/child ratios are maintained at all times:
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)
“(a) For children five to eleven years of age, a one to eighteen staff to child ratio is required.”
“(b) For children eleven to eighteen years of age, a one to twenty staff to child ratio is required.”
These ratios are for approved day camps. In the chapters we read we did not find a ratio for a camp that is only registered, for an exempt program, or for an overnight camp; other law may apply. Two operators we read print their own: YMCA of Greater Cleveland, 1:17 Staff to child ratio
(clevelandymca.org); Hiram House Camp, We maintain a strict 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio.
(hiramhousecamp.org) Those are the operators’ statements about themselves.
What about swimming?
“An approved child day camp shall have one lifeguard present for every thirty-five children when children are involved in a water activity for on-site and private pools over eighteen inches in depth.”
The next paragraph of the same rule:
“Activities in bodies of water eighteen inches or more in depth, including natural bodies of water as defined in rule 5180:2-18-01 of the Administrative Code, shall be supervised by people who are currently certified as lifeguards or water safety instructors by the "American Red Cross" or an equivalent water safety program, as determined by the American camp association (ACA) or DCY.”
What else do the rules say about supervision?
Leave no child unsupervised.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)Each child shall be checked in upon arrival at camp and checked out when leaving for the day.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)Only release a child to the parent or to a person who has previously been approved by the parent.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)A child with special needs shall be included in the group that best meets the child's developmental needs.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)
From the definitions rule, on hazardous weather: "Hazardous weather conditions" means winds of twenty miles per hour or greater, continuous or heavy rain, hail, extreme temperatures, lightening or tornado warnings or watches within a twenty mile radius of a child day camp activity site.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)
Can a camp lose approval?
From the statute, on a camp not in substantial compliance: the department shall terminate the child day camp's approval until the child day camp complies with those sections and rules or for a period of two years, whichever period is longer.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025) Among the events the rule lists as ending an approval: The approved child day camp fails to maintain accreditation by the ACA or similar accrediting body approved by DCY.
(codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)
How do you find out whether a camp is approved?
Our suggestion: ask the camp, then look it up in the state’s search tool. We do not keep a list of approved camps and did not find one published in a form we could read.