Program Overview
IDOH’s Environmental Health Program inspects youth camps and approves plans for the construction or alteration of youth camps. The program seeks to insure safe facilities, proper water supply, and proper sewage disposal at youth camps.
Directories
- Youth Camps Roster
- Indiana-certified water laboratories
- Pre-approved automatic Hot Water Temperature Control Valves
- Pre-approved Exterior Drinking Fountains and Yard Hydrants
- Pre-approved Exterior Water and Sewer Piping
- Approved Manufactured Septic Tanks
Forms
- Permit Application for Construction or Alteration of Youth Camp
- Injury/Incident Report Form
- Order Form for Drinking Water Sample Bottle
Laws and Regulations
- 410 IAC 6-2.1 Public and Semi-Public Pools -- or -- PDF
- 410 IAC 6-7.2 Youth Camps -- or -- PDF
- 410 IAC 6-10.1 Commercial On-Site Wastewater Disposal
- 410 IAC 6-12 Plan Review, Construction Permits, and Fees for Services
- 675 IAC 20 Swimming Pool Construction Code
Program Information and Policies
- Abandonment or Removal of an Onsite Sewage System
- Bats in Youth Camps
- A letter to all Summer Camp Directors from the Director, Zoonotic and Environmental Epidemiology Division, Indiana Department of Health. Bats pose the possible risk of rabies to youth camp staff and campers. Quick Facts on Rabies.
For information from the CDC on bats in youth camps see
Bats: Safety and Risk Management At Camp.
- A letter to all Summer Camp Directors from the Director, Zoonotic and Environmental Epidemiology Division, Indiana Department of Health. Bats pose the possible risk of rabies to youth camp staff and campers. Quick Facts on Rabies.
- Bed Bug Information
- Bed bugs are reddish-brown, oval-shaped, flattened insects that are about 1/4 inch long. Bed bugs usually feed on the blood of humans during the nighttime hours and crawl away to hide in nearby cracks, crevices and recesses of furniture (especially mattresses) and walls of the home during the day.
- Bulletin S.E. 11
- A planning guide including minimum requirements for the construction of vault privies.
- Bunk Bed Guardrail Requirement
- In order to provide for the safety of children and counselors at youth camps in the State of Indiana, guardrails that are manufactured and maintained in accordance with the CPSC Safety Standard for Bunk Beds are considered to be in compliance with 410 IAC 6-7.2. All other bunk beds used by campers and staff will require the operator of the youth camp to complete an evaluation of the upper bed to determine compliance with these requirements.
- Diseases Caused by Sewage or Sewage Contaminated Water -- or --PDF
- Frost-free Hydrant Policy - or - PDF
- Frost-proof (or freeze less) hydrants with stop and waste valves which, when turned off, drain back and discharge through subsurface outlets are not approved for use in public facilities. This policy relates to water distribution systems serving properties and commercial facilities under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Health.
- Guidelines for safe recreational water environments.
- Guideline for Youth Camp Emergency Plans
- Hand Washing
- Information on why hand washing is important; how diseases are spread; when hands should be washed; the proper way to wash hands; and how hand washing can protect you and your family.
- Histoplasmosis
- Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a soil fungus common throughout the Midwest. Indiana has the optimum combination of temperature and humidity for the fungus to grow very well. While the illness is usually so mild that it may go unnoticed, for a small minority, usually those who are very young, very old, immunocompromised, or who suffer from a chronic illness, the illness can be quite severe. It can cause permanent damage to the lungs, blindness or death.
- Rats and mice
- Rats and mice can be found in and around every town and farm in the country. It is estimated that there is one rat for every person living in the United States. Rodents have followed man to almost all parts of the world. They have no respect for social class; they are equal opportunity pests. Click here to find out more about rats and mice, how to recognize a rodent problem and how to eliminate it.
- Screen, Window and Mechanical Ventilation Requirements in Youth Camps.
- This document provides guidance in interpreting Section 29(c) of the youth camp rule which references 675 IAC 14-4.3-1
- Sewage Holding Tanks -- or -- PDF
- In essence, only temporary holding tanks can be approved, and only for a maximum of two years of operation.
- Soil Survey and Plan Review Submittal Status
- This page indicates the current status of plans and soil surveys for commercial sewage disposal projects that have been submitted for review. Click on the county link to see the status of any project ongoing in that particular county.
- Universal Precaution
- Guidelines for anyone who must develop a policy on the use of universal precautions to prevent bloodborne disease transmission during student athletic, extracurricular, or recreational activities.
- West Nile Virus
- West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitos that have first bitten an infected bird. Click here to learn more about West Nile Virus.