CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango Board of Supervisors has taken an official stance against proposed state legislation that local officials argue would hurt small children’s camps in the county.

Board members unanimously passed a resolution in June opposing state legislation that would expand regulations and oversight of children’s camps statewide. The bill would subject single-purpose day camps, such as sports camps and fire camp, to the same regulations associated with season-long summer camps with multiple recreations such as hiking, swimming and other potentially dangers activities.

County officials argue the bill would provide too much red tape for small camp operations in the county, and add extra burden and expense to the county health department, which is responsible for oversight of local children’s camps.

The state currently defines children’s camps as operating with multiple activities and 10 or more children under the age of 16 for more than five days within a two-week period. According to the Chenango Health Department, the proposed legislation is more suitable for downstate areas where more small single-purpose camps take advantage of loopholes in existing laws.