The Recreational Camp Application is the form the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) uses to collect the information it needs before a permit to operate a recreational camp can be issued; the form itself is headed Recreational Camp License Application. Camp owners and operators answer questions about the camp, its staff, food service, swimming areas, water supply, medical care and transportation. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the City of Boston at boston.gov.
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What is Recreational Camp Application – Boston, MA?
The Recreational Camp Application is the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) form, headed Recreational Camp License Application, on which a camp owner or operator describes a recreational camp so the Health Division can consider issuing a permit to operate it.
The form collects the camp's name, in-season and off-season addresses, owner, community center (d/b/a) and camp director. It then covers the type of camp (residential, day, sports or travel/trip), season dates and hours, number of sessions, campers, staff and volunteers, building capacity, and the Certificate of Inspection and fire department inspection details. Further sections ask about background checks, food service, swimming areas and boating, water supply, shelters, toilet and shower rooms, sewage disposal, medical care and transportation.
The form states that all camp operators must submit an updated policy and procedure manual, and that the camp director and staff must have reviewed 105 CMR 430.000 Minimum Standards for Recreational Camps before the camp operates. It also says incomplete and unsigned applications may not be eligible for issuance of a permit to operate.
The Health Division enforces food and sanitary laws for ISD and lists camps for children among the establishments its inspectors oversee. Its Multilingual Documents and Applications list links translated versions of the recreational camp application, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali and Chinese titles. A separate Summer Camp Application is also listed there; this page covers the Recreational Camp Application.
Who needs to file Recreational Camp Application – Boston, MA?
Owners and operators of recreational camps in Boston who need a permit to operate file this application. The form is signed by the camp owner or operator and states that it is not valid without that signature.
It covers the camp types the form lists: residential camps (operating 24 or more hours), day camps (operating less than 24 hours), sports camps and travel/trip camps. Medical camps and camps with special-needs campers describe those needs in a dedicated space on the form.
Specific groups the form addresses:
- All camp operators: must submit an updated policy and procedure manual.
- New camp directors and designated camps: must schedule a preliminary approval review in the Health Division before operating.
- Camp staff and volunteers: staff must meet minimum requirements and provide documentation of training or experience to operate, and may not operate the camp until background checks are completed and cleared of disqualification.
- Camps serving food, using water facilities, boating or transporting campers: complete the food service, swimming area, watercraft and vehicle sections.
The form names no person who may sign on the owner's or operator's behalf.
When to file Recreational Camp Application – Boston, MA
Submit the application before the camp operates: the form says a permit to operate depends on a complete, signed application, and that new camp directors and designated camps must schedule a preliminary approval review in the Health Division before operating. Staff and volunteers cannot operate the camp until their background checks are completed and cleared.
The form prints no calendar deadline. It does refer to an annual Recreational Camp fee and to annually updated policies and procedures, and it requires seasonal staff to be reviewed each season, so plan the application around the camp season you enter under Length of camp season. Contact the Health Division for scheduling the preliminary review.
Documents you need
- Updated policy and procedure manual: the form states all camp operators must submit one, and a copy of the annually updated policies is provided for the preliminary review appointment.
- Copy of the Food Service Permit: required when food is handled, served or prepared and you enter a Food Service Permit # on the form.
- Camp itinerary listing specialized activities and travel plans: the form says this must be included and provided to parents.
- Annual Recreational Camp fee payment: enclosed with the application unless you mark the fee line Already Paid or N/A.
- Documentation of training or experience for camp staff: the form says all staff must provide it in order to operate.
How to fill out Recreational Camp Application – Boston, MA
Enter the date and permit number
At the top, fill in DATE and PERMIT #, then the NAME OF CAMP and PHONE #.
Give camp, owner and contact details
Enter the in-season address, city/town and ZIP, the camp owner, and the community center (d/b/a) if one applies. Add the mailing off-season address, winter phone and an email address, which ISD will use to send inspections, then the camp director.
Select the type of camp
Mark Residential (operates 24+ hours), Day (operates less than 24 hours), Sports or Travel/Trip. Describe any medical camp or special-needs campers, and answer the overnights question with a location.
Describe the season and headcount
Enter the camp season start and finish, daily hours A.M. and P.M., sessions per season and session dates, campers per season, staff and volunteers per season, and building capacity.
Add inspection and safety equipment details
Enter the Certificate of Inspection number and expiry, the date of the Fire Department inspection, and the fire alarm, detector or fire fighting equipment present.
Answer staff background and training questions
Mark Yes or No on whether CORI/Juvenile and SORI reports were reviewed for every staff person and volunteer. Then mark Yes or No on staff eligibility, training and review of 105 CMR 430.000, giving a date if pending.
Complete the food service section
Say whether food is handled, served or prepared, and give the Food Service Permit # (provide a copy). Mark snacks, cooked and served by staff, or catered (naming the caterer), and whether refrigeration is available.
Report swimming and boating activities
Check freshwater, ocean, pool/aquatics, other or none, and list locations. Name the Aquatics Director with qualifications (Water Safety instructor, CPR, First Aid), other lifeguards, and answer the off-site inspection and watercraft questions.
List itinerary and specialized activities
In the itinerary lines, list the camp itinerary, specialized activities and travel plans. The form says these must be provided to parents.
Fill in water, shelter and sanitation items
Mark water supply as public or private (with well location, sample date, tester and results), confirm shelters meet building and housing requirements, and enter toilets, hand wash basins and showers for males and females and the sewage disposal type.
Provide medical care and transportation details
Name the person responsible for medical care or first aid, the Health Care Supervisor(s), the on-call physician with license #, address and phone, and the emergency hospital. Answer the vehicle and driver license questions.
Mark the fee, sign, and download
Check Enclosed, Already Paid or N/A on the annual fee line, then have the owner or operator sign and date. Review every section, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Recreational Camp Application – Boston, MA
The form does not name a delivery channel, so confirm how ISD wants it delivered with the Health Division, whose contact details are printed on every page of the form:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (617) 635-5326
- Fax: (617) 635-5388
- Address: Inspectional Services Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
- Website: Boston.gov/ISD
Before you deliver the package, sign the form, since it is not valid without the owner or operator signature. Mark the fee line Enclosed, Already Paid or N/A; a Recreational Camp fee applies annually, and the Health Division can confirm the current amount and how it is paid. Schedule a preliminary review and bring a copy of the annually updated policies and procedures to that appointment. If food is handled, provide a copy of the Food Service Permit. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the application without the owner or operator signature; the form says it is not valid without it.
- Leaving sections blank: the form warns that incomplete and unsigned applications may not be eligible for issuance of a permit to operate.
- Letting staff or volunteers work before CORI/Juvenile and SORI background checks are completed and cleared of disqualification.
- Skipping the preliminary approval review in the Health Division when you are a new camp director or a designated camp.
- Not bringing the updated policy and procedure manual to the preliminary review appointment.
- Answering that food is handled or served without giving the Food Service Permit # or a copy of the permit.
- Omitting the camp itinerary and the list of specialized activities and travel plans, or not providing them to parents.
- Leaving the annual fee line unchecked instead of marking Enclosed, Already Paid or N/A.
- Reviewing seasonal staff only once; the form says seasonal staff must be reviewed each season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Recreational Camp Application in Boston?
It is the Inspectional Services Department form, headed Recreational Camp License Application, on which a camp owner or operator describes the camp so that a permit to operate can be considered. It covers staff, food, swimming, water supply, medical care and transportation.
Is Boston 311 where I submit the recreational camp application?
The form does not name 311 as a channel. It lists the Inspectional Services Department Health Division: [email protected], (617) 635-5326, fax (617) 635-5388. The Health Division page mentions 311 for filing complaints about local food businesses, not for this application.
Is there a fee for the recreational camp permit?
Yes. The form refers to an annual Recreational Camp fee and asks you to check Enclosed, Already Paid or N/A. For the current amount and how to pay, contact the Health Division at (617) 635-5326 or [email protected].
Who has to sign the application?
The camp owner or operator. The form states it is not valid without the owner/operator signature, and that incomplete and unsigned applications may not be eligible for issuance of a permit to operate.
Do new camp directors need anything before the camp opens?
Yes. New camp directors and designated camps must schedule a preliminary approval review in the Health Division before operating, and bring a copy of the annually updated policies and procedures to that appointment.
Are background checks required for camp staff?
The form asks whether the owner or director reviewed the CORI/Juvenile report and SORI of every staff person and volunteer. Staff cannot operate the camp until checks are completed and cleared, and seasonal staff must be reviewed each season.
Is the recreational camp application available in other languages?
Yes. The Health Division's Multilingual Documents and Applications list links translated versions, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali and Chinese titles. This page covers the English form.
Can I fill out the recreational camp application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Boston and does not submit the application; you deliver it through the Inspectional Services Department's channels.
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