Recreational and Educational Campgrounds
We inspect and license all Waukesha County Recreational and Educational Campgrounds
All Waukesha County recreational and educational campgrounds must be licensed and inspected each year. We do this to make sure they meet all requirements of Wisconsin law related to general public health.
What is a recreational and educational campground?
A recreational and educational camp (rec ed camp) is defined as a premises, including temporary and permanent structures, that are operated as overnight living quarters, where food or lodging are provided for a camper. The camp provides a combination of planned program activities established for the primary purpose of an indoor or outdoor group living experience for campers with social, recreational, spiritual, and educational objectives during one or more seasons of the year. A rec ed camp is advertised or offered free of charge or for payment of a fee by a person, or by the state or local government. The updated “with hospitality" license structure accounts for when camps extend their services beyond campers such as family camps, adult retreats, wedding parties, or various online rental platforms utilizing the same camp structures extending the use of the beautiful camp properties throughout the state.
When people think of rec ed camps they generally associate them with the terms summer camp or youth camps where children are dropped off for a week or more at a time. While these type of operations are typical of rec ed camps, they do not encompass all camp models.
Licensing New Recreational/Educational Campgrounds and Change of Ownership
To apply for a license for a new rec ed campground or when there is a change of ownership:
Complete and submit an application and pay fees to Waukesha County Environmental Health Division.
- Email - Payment can by made by credit card by calling into the office at 262-896-8300 once you have received confirmation that the application has been received
- Mail or in-person:
- 515 W Moreland Blvd., Room AC260, Waukesha, WI 53188
Contact an Environmental Health Sanitarian at 262-896-8300 or [email protected] for a pre-inspection before opening to the public.
Duration:
- Each license issued by the Waukesha County Division of Environmental Health expires June 30 of each year.
- License dates extend from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year.
- If a license is granted after April 1 of a license year, that license will extend to June 30 of the following year.
- Example: If a business is licensed on April 1, 2022, then its license will expire June 30, 2023.
- Renewal fees for existing establishments shall be submitted to our office before June 30 each year.
