Do Summer Camps Need to Be Licensed? A State-by-State Guide

Summer camps are a staple of childhood—filled with adventure, new friendships, and lifelong memories. But behind the scenes, the rules governing these camps vary wildly. In some states, day camps are regulated just like childcare centers, while in others, they operate with almost no oversight. So how do you know if your child’s camp meets safety standards? And if you’re a camp operator, what rules do you need to follow to stay compliant?

Many states impose licensing requirements, especially for camps that serve younger children or run for an extended period. Others offer exemptions for short-term programs or accredited camps. To make sense of it all, we’ve compiled a state-by-state guide so you can confidently choose or operate a summer day camp that aligns with legal and safety requirements.

Alabama

• License Required: Yes – Alabama requires day camps to obtain a permit from the Alabama Department of Public Health. It is unlawful to operate any camp for children in Alabama without a valid health department permit. This regulation covers both day camps and resident (overnight) camps.
• Ages Covered: All minors (no specific age exemption). Alabama’s rules apply broadly to camps for children and teens.

Alaska

• License Required: Yes – Alaska requires day camps to be licensed, treated similarly to child care programs. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services oversees licensing for day camps​.
• Ages Covered: Generally covers camps serving children under 18 with the exception of overnight youth camps​. 

Arizona

• License Required: Yes – In Arizona, most day camps are regulated as child care centers by the Department of Health Services, and thus require a child care license​. However, Arizona law provides specific exemptions for certain accredited camps.
• Ages Covered: Applies to camps serving children under age 13. Camps serving only older teens would fall outside child care licensing requirements.

Arkansas

• License Required: Yes – Arkansas requires day camps to be licensed, generally under the child care licensing system. According to state child care regulations, even summer programs and day camps must comply with licensing requirements​.
• Ages Covered: Likely covers camps serving children up to age 13 (school-age), since Arkansas’s child care licensing is for care of minors.

California

• License Required: No – California does not currently require a state license for day camps​
• Ages Covered: Generally, programs for school-age children (ages 5 and up) can operate as camps without child care licenses. If a program were to serve very young children for full days, it might be classified as daycare, but typical day camps for school-aged kids are exempt.

Colorado

• License Required: Yes – All Colorado camps (day or residential) must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood​. Day camps are treated as a type of child care center under Colorado regulations.
• Ages Covered: All minors. Colorado licenses camps providing care and activities for children of any age (generally up to 18).

Connecticut

• License Required: Yes – Connecticut requires youth camps (including day camps) to be licensed by the state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health runs a Youth Camp Licensing Program​
• Ages Covered: Children under 16. Connecticut defines a “youth camp” (day or overnight) as a program for minors (generally up to age 15) and requires those camps to be licensed.

Delaware

• License Required: Yes – Delaware requires day camps to be licensed. The state has Youth Camp regulations that apply to camps offering care to children.
• Ages Covered: All minors
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Florida

• License Required: No – Florida does not require day camps to be licensed by the Department of Children and Families. Florida law explicitly exempts “summer camps” from child care licensure​, but requires staff to be background checked.
• Ages Covered: Typically applies to school-age children. Programs classified as camps (generally serving children who are at least 5 years old and above) operate license-exempt. 

Georgia

• License Required: Not if Exempt – Georgia generally does not require a license for day camp programs as long as they obtain an official exemption from the state. Georgia’s Bright from the Start (Department of Early Care and Learning) allows certain day camps (typically those for school-age children during summer) to operate license-exempt​.
• Ages Covered: The exemption is usually for camps serving children aged 5 and older (school-age) during school break periods. Camps serving children under 5 would not qualify and would need a license.

Hawaii

• License Required: Yes – Hawaii requires day camps to be licensed in most cases. Day camps fall under regulations that involve the Department of Health.
• Ages Covered: Camps serving minors (generally up to age 18) are included. School-age children in camps are the typical focus.

Idaho

• License Required: Not always – Idaho exempts certain day camps from licensing based on how long they operate. Seasonal camps operating less than 12 weeks per year, or one day a week or less, are exempt from child care licensing requirements​. If a camp operates for a longer period (more than 12 weeks a year or more frequently), it must be licensed as a daycare center.
• Ages Covered: The requirement would apply to camps serving children within the child care age range (Idaho regulates care for children under age 13). Camps serving only teenagers (13+) would not fall under child care rules.

Illinois

• License Required: Yes – Illinois generally requires day camps to be licensed similarly to childcare facilities. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) includes day camps in its licensing scope​.
• Ages Covered: Typically covers camps serving children under 18. Illinois especially monitors programs for children under 13; camps primarily for teenagers might not need DCFS licensing.

Indiana

• License Required: No – Indiana does not require licensing for day camps. The Indiana State Department of Health does not license day camps for children.
• Ages Covered: All ages of minors can attend camps without a camp licensing requirement in Indiana. If a program cares for very young children in a non-camp setting year-round, it would be daycare and need a license, but typical summer camps for school-age kids are exempt.

Iowa

• License Required: Yes – Iowa requires day camps to be licensed. The Iowa Department of Human Services includes summer programs in its child care licensing rules.

• Ages Covered: Applies to camps serving children generally under age 13 (school-age). Iowa’s child care licensing is for childcare for infants up to school-age; school-age only programs (like camps) are also covered.

Kansas

• License Required: Yes – Kansas requires licensing for day camp programs. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment oversees camp licensing as part of child care regulation.
• Ages Covered: Generally covers camps for children under 16. Kansas child care law extends to school-age programs, including summer camps.

Kentucky

• License Required: Yes – Kentucky requires day camps to be licensed or permitted. The Kentucky Department for Public Health regulates camps (day and residential) for health and safety.
• Ages Covered: All minors. Kentucky’s definition of youth camps covers programs for children (generally under 18).

Louisiana

• License Required: Yes – Louisiana requires day camps to be licensed. The Louisiana Department of Health oversees camp licensing.
• Ages Covered: All minors in camp programs.

Maine

• License Required: Yes – Maine requires both day camps and resident camps to be licensed as youth camps. A Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) license is needed if a program meets the definition of a youth camp.
• Ages Covered: Children and youth (Maine’s youth camp rules cover campers up to 18).

Maryland

• License Required: Yes – Maryland mandates that youth camps (day or residential) be certified by the state. The Maryland Department of Health administers the Youth Camp Safety Act and issues certificates (licenses) to camps.
• Ages Covered: Generally children under 18. Maryland defines youth camp broadly for minors.

Massachusetts

• License Required: Yes – Massachusetts requires all children’s camps to be licensed. Day camps must be licensed as “recreational camps for children” under Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations.
• Ages Covered: Typically covers campers under 18.

Michigan

• License Required: Yes – Michigan requires day camps to be licensed. Michigan has a dedicated Camp Licensing Program for both day and resident camps.
• Ages Covered: Youth under 18.

Minnesota

• License Required: No – Minnesota does not require a license for day camps specifically. The Minnesota Department of Health does license and inspect “youth camps” (generally overnight camps) via its Environmental Health division, but day camps are not licensed in the same manner.
• Ages Covered: Not applicable, since no license is needed solely for a day camp. If a program were caring for children under school-age on a regular basis, it would fall under daycare licensing, but a seasonal camp for school-age kids is exempt.

Mississippi

• License Required: Yes – Mississippi requires a license for day camps, but with a unique twist. Day camps in Mississippi ordinarily need to be licensed under the state’s child care licensing regulations. However, if a day camp achieves American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation, the state can waive the licensing process.
• Ages Covered: Camps serving children under 13 would fall under this requirement, since Mississippi’s childcare licensure covers those ages.

Missouri

• License Required: No – Missouri does not require day camps or most youth camps to be licensed by the state. Both day camps and resident camps are exempt from Missouri’s childcare licensing mandates.
• Ages Covered: All ages of minors – Missouri’s exemption means camps for children (regardless of age) do not need a childcare license.

Montana

• License Required: No – Montana does not require licensing for day camps. The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services does not license day-only youth programs.
• Ages Covered: Not applicable (no license needed for any age group in a camp setting).

Nebraska

• License Required: Yes – Nebraska requires day camps to be licensed. Most likely, day camps fall under Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services child care licensing if they provide structured care for children.
• Ages Covered: Typically up to age 13 (childcare age). Programs for older teens wouldn’t need licensing.

Nevada

• License Required: Yes – Nevada requires a license for day camps, treating them similarly to other childcare operations. State law requires a license for providing child care in Nevada, which includes day camp settings where children are supervised.
• Ages Covered: Children under 18 (especially those under 13 for childcare definitions).

New Hampshire

• License Required: Yes – New Hampshire requires day camps to be licensed. The state likely includes camps under youth recreation program regulations (possibly via the Department of Health and Human Services).
• Ages Covered: Minors (generally up to age 18).

New Jersey

• License Required: Yes – New Jersey mandates licensing for day camps under the Youth Camp Safety Act. The NJ Department of Health is responsible for licensing and regulating youth camps (day and resident).
• Ages Covered: Children under 18.

New Mexico

• License Required: Yes – New Mexico requires day camps to be licensed. Day camps come under the authority of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD).
• Ages Covered: Likely up to age 18 (with focus on younger children).

New York

• License Required: Yes – New York requires day camps to have a permit from the Department of Health. NY regulates “children’s camps” (day camps and overnight camps) under public health law, not under the childcare licensing agency.
• Ages Covered: Children under 16. New York defines a day camp as a program with a certain number of children under 16 years of age, meeting for a minimum number of days.

North Carolina

• License Required: No – North Carolina law does not require summer day camps to be licensed, as long as they operate for 4 months or less per year. Seasonal recreational programs (like summer camps) that run under four consecutive months are exempt from needing a child care license.
• Ages Covered: Primarily school-age children. If a camp chooses to take preschool-aged children (under 5), it triggers licensing – the camp must then meet all childcare requirements for those younger children.

North Dakota

• License Required: Yes (for under 13) – North Dakota treats day camps as part of Early Childhood Services if they serve children within licensing age. Summer day camps that enroll children under age 13 would fall under ND’s childcare licensing regulations unless exempted.
• Ages Covered: Children under 13 are within the regulated age range. Camps serving exclusively teenagers (13+) are outside the scope and do not require licensing.

Ohio

• License Required: No (but registration required for some) – Ohio does not license day camps in the same way as child care centers. Instead, Ohio maintains a system of registration/approval for child day camps. Camps can operate without a license, but those that wish to receive public funding or serve subsidized children must be approved (and registered) by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
• Ages Covered: School-age children primarily. Ohio defines “child day camp” as a program for school-age children that operates during school vacations.

Oklahoma

• License Required: Yes – Oklahoma requires day camps to be licensed. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services includes camps in its childcare licensing oversight.
• Ages Covered: Children under 13. Oklahoma licenses childcare for infants up through school-age.

Oregon

• License Required: Yes – Oregon generally requires day camps to be licensed, usually under childcare regulations, unless they meet an exemption. Oregon mandates licensing for both day and resident camps.
• Ages Covered: Children under 13 for childcare licensing. School-age camp programs fall in this category.

Pennsylvania

• License Required: Yes – Pennsylvania requires youth camps to register with the state and obtain a permit if they meet certain criteria. Camp operators must register any camp that provides an outdoor group experience for children.
• Ages Covered: Generally minors (under 18) in qualifying camps.

Rhode Island

• License Required: Yes – Rhode Island requires day camps to be licensed. The state’s Department of Human Services or Department of Health oversees camp licensing.
• Ages Covered: Minors (generally up to 18).

South Carolina

• License Required: Not usually – South Carolina exempts most summer day camps from licensing as long as they operate for a limited duration. If a day camp’s sessions allow any individual child to attend no more than 3 consecutive weeks, it is exempt from childcare licensing.
• Ages Covered: School-age children primarily. If a camp operates beyond the exemption period, it must be licensed as a childcare center.

South Dakota

• License Required: No – South Dakota does not have a state licensing requirement for day camps. Summer camp programs in SD are generally license-exempt and not state-regulated as long as they are seasonal recreational programs.
• Ages Covered: Not applicable – no licensing for any age in a camp setting.

Tennessee

• License Required: Yes – Tennessee requires camps to obtain a permit to operate. The Tennessee Department of Health regulates camps under “organized camp” regulations.
• Ages Covered: Children and youth (minors).

Texas

• License Required: Yes (with exemptions) – Texas regulates camps under a special framework. Youth camps in Texas (meeting for at least 4 hours per day for at least 5 days in a row, during summer, with 5+ children) must be licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services under the Youth Camp Act.
• Ages Covered: The Youth Camp Act covers camps for minors (typically ages 5–17). Short-term programs (less than two consecutive weeks or fewer than 40 days per year) are exempt from child care licensing.

Utah

• License Required: No (mostly) – Utah generally exempts seasonal camps and similar programs from child care licensing. Many recreational or summer camp programs are not required to be licensed by the Utah Department of Health’s Child Care Licensing Program.
• Ages Covered: Not applicable, as camps are usually exempt..

Vermont

• License Required: No – Vermont does not mandate licensing for day camps. The Vermont Department of Health oversees some camp safety aspects, but day camps are not required to be licensed in Vermont.
• Ages Covered: Not applicable – no licensing for camp programs specifically.

Virginia

• License Required: Not usually – Virginia exempts many day camp programs from child care licensure. Summer recreation programs run by local governments or schools for less than 12 weeks are exempt from licensing. Thus, typical summer day camps in Virginia do not need a state child care license.
• Ages Covered: Primarily school-age children.

Washington

• License Required: No – Washington State does not require licensing for day camp programs that serve school-age children. Such camps are generally considered license-exempt recreational programs.
• Ages Covered: School-age children. Washington licenses childcare for ages 0–12 but has exemptions for seasonal or part-time programs.

West Virginia

• License Required: Yes – West Virginia requires day camps to be licensed or permitted. The WV Department of Health and Human Resources, particularly the Office of Environmental Health Services, oversees camp regulations.
• Ages Covered: All minors.

Wisconsin

• License Required: Yes – Wisconsin explicitly licenses day camps as a distinct category of child care. Chapter DCF 252 of Wisconsin’s administrative code contains the rules for licensed day camps for children.
• Ages Covered: Children under 18. Wisconsin licenses camps for both preschool and school-age children, though many camps serve school-age kids.

Wyoming

• License Required: Yes – Wyoming requires day camps to be licensed. Wyoming’s Department of Family Services typically requires licensing for any regular child care operation, including day camp programs meeting certain criteria.
• Ages Covered: Children under 18, with a focus on younger kids under 13.

While summer day camps provide great opportunities for kids, the level of oversight varies dramatically from state to state. Some states require full licensing similar to childcare centers, while others exempt seasonal programs altogether. If you’re a parent, it’s always a good idea to check whether your child’s camp meets state safety standards, even if it’s not required to be licensed. If you’re a camp operator, ensuring compliance with your state’s regulations will help you avoid legal pitfalls and provide the safest experience possible for kids.

Visit Winnie to find summer camps near you!