Only 5 percent of the camps discharged their sewage within a mile of their water source. Offensive odors around privies and sewage treatment areas were noted in 15 percent of the West camps, twice the average for the camp total. Insects and rodents around these areas also were observed more often in the West, although there were only nine camps where they were noted. Of the camp total, 7 percent were found to have sewage on the ground near septic tanks. Excessive weeds in the treatment area were noted more often for the Laws caLips (10 vs. 0-5 percent for the other groups).

Solid waste disposal.-Off-site disposal for a portion of the camps' solid wastes was reported for 86 percent of the camps as shown in Table 11. Only 12 percent of the Laws group disposed of any waste on site contrasted to 22 percent of the Comparison group, 42 percent of the South/East group and 31 percent of the camps in the West. Methods of on-site disposal were often used in combination, the open dump being one common solution (37 percent). However, only one camp in the Comparison group used a dump. One fifth of the camps with on-site disposal used sanitary landfill.

TABLE 11.-PERCENTAGE OF CAMPS USING EACH OF SEVERAL METHODS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

Insects and rodents were observed around the disposal areas in more West and South/East camps than Laws or Comparison camps, but the first two groups had a higher frequency of on-site disposal and perhaps this contributed to the greater infestation rate. However, only 11 camps were observed to have this problem.

Trash was stored in covered metal containers by 50 percent of the camps. None of the Comparison group used uncovered containers, although 10 percent of the Laws group, 13 percent of the West, and 20 percent of the South/East camps stored trash in that fashion. Trash collections for off-site disposal were made more than twice a week for 48 percent of the camps; 31 percent had twice a week collections and only 9 percent, once a week, as illustrated by Figure 30.

Camp site.-One problem in analyzing the data on camp site and facilities is that the Western group of camps were inspected for defects more frequently than the other groups, There were consistently fewer Western camps for which "no answer" or "not inspected" were checked. Therefore, the percentages listed in these sections are based on the number of camps inspected rather than the total number of camps in each group.

Very few camps were observed to have site defects of any sort. Only 5 camps had drainage problems. Proximity to a swamp or dump was a problem for 15 percent of the inspected South/East camps, but this percentage refers to only 5 camps. Loose trash also was observed more often in the South/East camps (19 percent) than in the other groups. Six (14 percent) of the Western camps were reported to have sharp structural objects and 20 percent (9 camps) had hazardous grounds or trails.

The only equipment that received many bad marks were trash containers. One-fourth of the camps were judged poorly equipped in that respect. Camps in the West group were the only ones to have improperly constructed or located fire pits (24 percent).

Figure 29. Percentage of camps with different methods of sewage disposal.

Sports areas in most of the camps were reported to be free of hazards except that the West had 5 camps with equipment too close to objects or areas where campers might fall.

Lavatory facilities. Of the camps indicating the frequency of cleaning, 94 percent cleaned their lavatory facilities once a day.

Inspection of the condition of the facilities revealed that broken or dirty fixtures were found in only one of the Laws camps but in 20 percent of the inspected South/East camps. A lack of hot water was noted for 31 percent of all the camps inspected, 37 percent of the camps in the Southeast and Comparison states. Over a fifth of the West camps had cracked or inadequate bathroom flooring, curbs, or drains. Problems of inadequate ventilation, inconvenient location or poorly designed plumbing were found in very few camps.

Sleeping facilities. Only five camps in the total sample were reported to have structurally unsafe buildings; three of those were in the West group. Space heaters were improperly used in 10 camps, four of them in the Laws

group.

37-569 O-74-23

Figure 30. Frequency of trash disposal in each of the sample areas.

Broken beds and insects or rodent infestation were not problems found in many camps, and only 9 camps had unclean sleeping areas.

The most severe deficiency in camp sleeping facilities and in the kitchen and dining facilities as well, was the lack of a number of common fire protection items.

Table 12 shows that, of those camps inspected, 45 percent of the South/East group had only a single free exit compared to 29 percent of the West, 17 percent of the Laws and 21 percent of the Comparison camps. Fire extinguishers were not available in the sleeping areas in 57 percent of the inspected camps, and in 68 percent of the South/East camps. Where extinguishers were found, they were out -of-date in 12 instances.

Kitchen facility. Only eight camps had single fire exits for their kitchens, but 70 percent of the inspected camps did not mark the exits. The percentage of Comparison camps which did mark exits was twice that of the other groups. Fire extinguishers were present in all but 14 percent (19 camps) of the inspected kitchens. The Comparison group had only two camps with no ex

tinguishers. A fifth of the camps which did have extinguishers had some which were out-of-date.

Only 13 percent of the inspected kitchens were generally unsanitary.

TABLE 12. PERCENTAGE OF INSPECTED CAMPS HAVING FIRE PROTECTION DEFICIENCIES IN CAMP LIVING AREAS

Over a quarter of the camps inspected did not have facilities for maintaining food at proper temperatures. However, only 3 Comparison camps had this deficiency. Poisons were stored improperly in 13 percent of the camps and 26 percent did not store utensils properly. The Comparison camps were found to be generally adequate in the latter respect.

A fifth of the inspected camps did not sanitize their tableware, and the dishwashing facilities were inadequate in 18 percent. Grease on food_equipment was found for 14 percent of the camps. Garbage was not stored properly in over a quarter of the camps and rodent or insect infestation was not controlled in 20 camps (15 percent of those inspected).

Unscreened building openings were found in 19 percent of the camps but in only one Comparison camp. The floors were judged difficult to clean in the kitchens of 16 percent of the camps, and the walls and ceilings, in 28 percent.

Dining facilities.-Referring to Table 12, previously presented, the fire protection deficiencies in the dining area were the major problems. More than one fire exit for the dining room was provided by all but six camps. However, there were unmarked exits in 67 percent of the cases. Fire extinguishers were not available in 41 percent of the West camps inspected, and in 32 percent of the total camps. The Comparison group, however, had only five camps without extinguishers. In 13 camps, the extinguishers were outof-date.

Only four camps had unsanitary dining facilities. all four in the West. Utensils were improperly stored in 25 percent of the West camps and 21 percent of the South/East compared to 6 and 8 percent for the Laws and Comparison states.

Evidence of insects or rodents was found for 13 camps. Only two Comparison camp dining facilities had unscreened openings compared to 10 for the West. The floors were though hard to clean for 12 camps and the walls and ceilings were difficult for almost a quarter of the sample inspected.

Swimming pools and bathing areas.-Only 58 camps in the sample were checked for the adequacy of their logs of swimming water chlorine residual and degree of acidity (Ph). Of the inspected camps, 53 percent kept inadequate logs; 47 percent of the South/East camps, 84 percent West, 56 percent Laws, and 15 percent Comparison. Table 13 contains the major findings for this part of the survey. No bacteriological tests were taken in 42 percent of inspected camps, and percentages varied from 63 percent for the West group to 27 percent in the Comparison states.

The clarity of the water was judged insufficient for 28 percent of the inspected camps where the bottom of the pool or swimming area was not visible. Over twice as many Laws camps as Comparison camps had this defect. Only 21 camps were judged to have hazardous swimming areas; over half of that number were camps in the West.

Showers for swimmers were either inconvenient or absent in 53 percent of the inspected camps. Only 25 percent of the Comparison camps were deficient in this respect contrasted to 74 percent of the Laws camps. Half the camps did not have toilets convenient to the swimming area. Again, the Comparison camps rated considerably better than the other groups.

TABLE 13. PERCENTAGE OF CAMPS DEFICIENT IN SEVERAL ITEMS OF SWIMMING POOL/BATHING AREA SANITATION [In percent]

Summary of the environmental survey.-Most of the camps surveyed were found to be clean and relatively hazard-free. Although the camps in the four geographical areas differed on specific points, there was no clear evidence of regional superiority. It was apparent, however, that the inspected Laws camps did not offer any safer or more healthful camping environment than the Comparison group; in fact, the Comparison camps were judged better than the Laws camps in many respects.

The data suggest certain areas that possibly could be improved to maximize the safety of the camp environment. Chief among these is the improvement of fire protection. A very high percentage had no fire extinguishers in the sleeping areas or dining rooms, and 19 camps had none (or improper types) in the kitchens. Effective extinguishers should be available in all living areas. Fire exits should be clearly marked, something that was neglected in many camps. There could be some improvement in facilities for maintaining food at proper temperatures, sanitizing and storing tableware, and dishwashing facilities.

II

PHASES

CONTRIBUTIONS BY NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES

III ADEQUACY OF STATE LAWS GOVERNING CAMP DESIGN AND OPERATION

IV EFFECTIVENESS OF CURRENT ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

Prepared by: The National Recreation and Park Association under a
subcontract with Century Research Corporation

I. Introduction

The information in this report was provided by the National Recreation and Park Association, acting as a subcontractor for the Century Research Corporation for one phase of Contract HSM 99-73-37 (Investigation of Youth Camp Safety).