BETHEL YOUTH CAMP
INDIANA STATE HEALTH CODE REQUIREMENTS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Ecc 8:5 “He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; and a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment.”
History: July 17, 2012, State Health Inspector David Bokodi submitted report of his inspection of BYC with listing of 102 discrepancies  (Camp Rpt, jpg 1),  (Camp Rpt, jpg 2),  (Camp Rpt, jpg 3),  (Camp Rpt, jpg 4),
This included items 17-37 with discrepancies on Dorm 4
 (Dorm4Discrep.doc).
Jan 9, 2013 Bokodi reported on inspection of RV sites with Rev Horath and recommendation to decrease RV sites to nine. (BYCRVInspec.pdf)
Oct 1, 2013, State Inspector Allen submitted statement (100113Report.jpg) stating that his inspection revealed that our camp “does not meet the definition of a youth camp defined in 410 IAC6-7.2(14)….Therefore, the camp is not regulated by Indiana State Department of Health Rule.” Further stated that “If changes are made to this youth camp that would meet the definition of a youth camp, then plans will have to be submitted to, and approved by, the Indiana State Department of Health before the camp can operate.”
Definition referred to in ruling states: “in 410 IAC 6-7.2(14): “Youth Camp” means any area or tract of land established, operated, or maintained to provide more than seventy-two (72) continuous hours of outdoor group living experiences away from established residences for educational, recreational, sectarian, or health purposes to ten (10) or more children who are under eighteen (18) years of age and not accompanied by a parent or guardian.”
Click here to download the complete, highlighted Indiana Code for Camps Document
Revised ruling made by Allen was that since we did not meet beyond 72 continuous hours, we would not be “regulated by Indiana State Department of Health Rule.” We have not had any more contact with the Indiana State Health Department since that Oct 1, 2013 report. As a result, we shortened our Senior Camp program from Monday-Saturday to Monday-Friday.
Observation/opinion: 72 hours continuous would be measured as THREE DAYS. We were allowed to not count Monday (including meal, service and after-service activities) nor Friday (wake up, clean up and departure) as part of those 72 continuous hours. Even counting Tuesday 12am to Friday 12am, it could easily come to the subjective judgment of any inspector whether or not we meet 72 continuous hours or not. Certainly, if we extend our Senior Camp to Saturday morning departure, we would definitely exceed the 72 hour measurement and put ourselves under 410 IAC 6.
Therefore, if we intend to lengthen our youth camp program, we should strongly consider working on all previous listed discrepancies before lengthening and be prepared to “submit to, and be approved by, the Indiana State Department of Health before the camp can operate.” Additionally, if we intend to extend our use of BYC to include renting to others or using facilities in a greater capacity, we should strongly consider correcting discrepancies before we do so.
Using the example of our raising $150,000 for camp repairs recently and considering the possibility of raising even greater amounts, I would recommend the repairs/improvements first consider the following projects before proceeding with increased usage of BYC:
1. Repair or replace all three septic systems currently used by BYC (behind the bath house, behind the All Weather Dorm and behind the Dining Hall) to include, at a minimum ensuring legal lateral lines from each. Estimated cost at $30,000 each = $90,000.
2. Installing the required Sanitary Dump Station at the RV sites (BYCRVInspec.pdf). Estimated cost $30,000.
3. Building required Men’s and Women’s Sanitary Facilities for campers at the campground as required by 410 IAC 6. Estimated cost $50,000.
4. Deliver and install “from the shoreline out to a water depth of six (6) feet, shall consist of pea gravel or other material approved by the department of natural resources to minimize turbidity.” (Indiana Code for Camp, sec 30, para (g) 5.) Estimated cost = $10,000
5. Construction of Men’s and Women’s “Toilet facilities provided within five hundred (500) feet of camp bathing beaches, in the ratio of one (1) toilet for each fifty (50) bathers. Estimated cost = $50,000
There is absolutely nothing wrong with “dreaming big.” However, we certainly must consider what we went through from the State inspections of 2012/2013 and how our future plans might bring that kind of scrutiny back again.
We have to admit that a camp that we use for just nine days in a year is a luxury that few can afford. However, the cost of making it more can be very expensive and should not be considered without “counting the cost.” It would also be very easy to go forward with “nice-to-have” but expensive additions while neglecting the very expensive priorities listed above. Additionally, the high cost of repairs made due to normal wear and tear (roofs, siding, equipment) have to take priority if we are going to maintain the high quality of youth camp environment we have enjoyed for a lot of years.
All of these issues need to be considered by the board before we commit to where we spend this kind of money next. We need to also remember, as the State expressed several times before that, “the construction, addition to, or significant change in the construction of any campground requires submittal of plans, drawn to scale, to the department. These plans must be certified by a registered engineer or architect licensed to practice in Indiana and must be submitted at least 90 days prior to start of construction.”
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