Section DCF 252.425 - Supervision and grouping of children(1) SUPERVISION. (a) Each child shall be supervised at all times to guide the child's behavior and activities, prevent harm, and ensure safety.(b) All children in care shall be assigned to a counselor. The camp shall implement a procedure to ensure that the number, names, and whereabouts of children in care are known to the assigned camp counselor at all times.(c)1. Counselors who are included for meeting the required counselor-to-child ratio may not provide care to children more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period.2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., camps that provide an occasional overnight activity for children enrolled in the camp may allow a counselor to provide care for children for more than 12 hours in the 24-hour period to permit the counselor to remain with the children during the overnight session.(d) No licensee, employee, volunteer, or other individual in contact with children may consume alcoholic beverages or any non-prescribed controlled substance specified in ch. 961 Stats., on the premises of the camp or be under the influence of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance, during the hours of the camp's operation.(e) A child may not be released to any person who has not been previously authorized by the parent.(f) The camp shall implement a procedure to contact a parent if a child is absent from the camp without prior notification from the parent.(g) A child may not be in care for more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period.(h) The camp director shall be at the camp during the hours of operation, except if any of the following conditions are met:1. The camp director is on a field trip with all of the children.2. The camp director is on a field trip with some of the children and has a reliable method of communicating easily with the camp.3. Another qualified person that is identified in the written delegation of administrative authority under s. DCF 252.41 (1) (p) is present at the camp and is authorized to make decisions for the camp.(i) When 9 or more children are present at the camp, there shall be at least 2 adults available at all times and at least one of the adults shall be a counselor.(2) GROUPING OF CHILDREN.(a)1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 4., the ratio of counselors to children may not be less than the minimum number of counselors to children specified in Table DCF 252.425. TABLE DCF 252.425
COUNSELOR-TO-CHILD RATIO FOR CHILDREN IN A DAY CAMP
| Age of Children | Minimum Number of Counselors to Children |
| 3 Years to 4 Years | 1:4 |
| 4 Years to 5 Years | 1:6 |
| 5 Years and 6 Years | 1:12 |
| 7 Years and Over | 1:18 |
2. When there is a mixed-age group, the counselor-to-child ratio shall be adjusted on a pro rata basis, according to age. Note: The department's form, Counselor-to-Child Ratio Worksheet may be used to prorate the staff-to-child ratio for mixed age groups. Information on how to obtain forms is available on the department's website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.
4. When 9 or more children are on a field trip, at least 2 adults shall accompany the children. The counselor-to-child ratios in Table DCF 252.425 shall be met on field trips.(b) Support staff, such as maintenance, clerical, housekeeping, and food service staff, may only be considered in determining counselor-to-child ratios if the support staff meet the qualifications of a camp counselor and are giving full attention to the care and supervision of children.(c) A camp counselor may not engage in any duties that are not related to caring for children while he or she is counted in meeting the required counselor-to-child ratios.(d) Children of staff who attend the camp and who are on the premises for supervision and care shall be counted in the determination of counselor-to-child ratios.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Children and Families DCF 252.425
Adopted by, EmR1918: emerg. cr., eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: cr. Register March 2020 No. 770, eff. 4-1-20; correction in (2) (a) 1. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4/1/2020.Amended by, CR 21-100: r. (2) (a) 3. Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23; correction in (2) (a) 1. made under s. 13.92 (3) (b) 7, Stats., Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3/1/2023