The Department of Environmental Health inspects organized camps on an annual basis to ensure camps are operated and maintained to provide a healthy and safe experience for campers. Organized camps are inspected to ensure compliance with sections of California Health and Safety Code. Under state law, Organized Camps are defines as sites with program and facilities established for the primary purposes of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational, or recreational objectives, five days or more during one or more seasons of the year.
Organized camps which do not operate on a year-round basis must submit an annual written notice of intent to operate at least 30 days prior to operation. Camps operating year-round are only required to submit this "intent" letter at the time of initial start-up.