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Applying for Your Initial License

Información en español

Congratulations! Now that you understand and are prepared to meet Wisconsin’s standards for regulated day camps, it’s time to apply for an initial license. Your regional licensing office can guide you every step of the way. Want to know what to expect? Check out the details below.


application checklist

Prepare and Submit Your Initial License Application

Most of the items you’ll need to include with your Initial License Application for day camps can be found in the application materials packet. These include:

  • A general description of the camp area: its geographic location, the size of the base camp, as well as the proposed itinerary of field trips, if a program will consist primarily of field trips.
  • Your licensed capacity, calculated using the formula on page three of the Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Day Camp.
  • A six-month probationary licensing fee payment, calculated by dividing the two-year licensing fee by four.
    • Currently, Wisconsin’s two-year licensing fee equals $30.25 (base fee) plus $16.94 per child (not to exceed a program’s approved capacity).

Complete an Initial Licensing On-Site Visit

  • After submitting your completed application, please allow up to 60 days for a regional licensing specialist to review your application and contact you to schedule a visit.
  • Note: Projecting an opening date for your business? It may take at least another 60 days after your initial visit before you will be able to open your program.