LARA – Unit Travel FAQ’S

PLEASE READ:
Please note, while we consulted our representatives at LARA in the building of this document, this document was created by the Michigan Crossroads Council for the benefit of our units and volunteers. It is not recognized by LARA as official information. For the most official and current information, please contact the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). 

Troop License [R400.11101(q) FAQ 

This FAQ is for the purpose of clarifying licensing requirements in the State of Michigan for troops that travel in the outdoor settings. 

Please Note: Regarding the “96 hour rule”. The official language as provided by the State of Michigan’s Department of License and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is “for more than 12 hours per day for 5 or more days, including at least 1 overnight, in any 14-day period.”. Understanding how this most readily applies to the Scouting program, we have simplified this language in some prior communications to be “96 hours or more”. 

A: No, all of our MCC operations are fully licensed, there is no further action required on your part, outside of what your Camp Director will communicate (DHHS Clearence, Etc) . 

A: If you are providing care and supervision of the children within the natural environment apart from their parents, guardians, or relatives for 5 or more days, then you would need to have a camp license or operate under a facility that has a camp program license. It is best if you contact the camp facility to inquiry about their license status and obtain a license if needed. All Boy Scout camps in Michigan are currently licensed. 

A: We are working with LARA to move the Honor Guard Program under licensing for the Cole Canoe Base High Adventure Program. Licensing for this program will be handled by the MCC, however adult leadership will be asked to meet certain additional criteria. There will be more detailed information about this specific program coming out in the near future. 

A: Provided that you will not be in Michigan for 5 or more days in a 14 day period, as part of your trip, the answer is no. However you should look into the licensing requirements for whatever region or state you are traveling to.  

A: This requirement can be found in The Child Care Organizations Act (PA 116 of 1973) and Children’s and Adult Camp administrative rules (linked below). They are regulated by the State of Michigan department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and are not enacted by the Michigan Crossroads Council or the Boy Scouts of America. State Licensing requirements are in place to ensure that all youth programs meet the minimum safety standards  for care and protection of youth. The MCC is committed to ensuring our units abide by the law.

 

Application Information
Overview Slideshow (LARA)
Licensing Rules
CHILD CARE ORGANIZATIONS Act 116 of 1973 

 

A: Please contact that camp’s administrator, this will vary based on their specific operations licensing and the trip structure. 

A: The threshold as determined by the state of Michigan is 5 or more youth “away from their parents/guardians/relatives”. If all your youth have parents attending, or you have fewer than 5 total youth who do not meet this criteria, a license will not be required.  

A: This licensing requirement applies to any gathering of youth in the state of Michigan, in which care and supervision is conducted in a natural environment for 5 or more youth who are “apart” from their parents/guardians/relatives for 5 or more days in a 14-day period. Regardless of their affiliation to scouting or any other youth serving organization.  

A: The applicable rule states “for more than 12 hours per day for 5 or more days, including at least 1 overnight, in any 14-day period.” R400.11106(1)(b). The clock starts the moment children leave the care of the parent or guardian and runs until the moment they are returned. Simply stated, you are counting the total number of days in which children are in you care, for a period of 12 or more hours or more per day.

As an example, a traditional weekend campout that departs Friday evening, and returns Sunday before noon, would technically count as 1 day, where as if the trip returned after noon, it would count as 2 days. Any day of 12 or more hours counts towards the total, any day less than 12 hours does not. 

A: For groups of 5-100 youth, the cost is $100 for the first 6 months, payable to the State of Michigan. Should your unit choose to keep the license active beyond the initial trip, there is a $50 bi-annual renewal cost. We recommend this for troop who frequently plan their own adventures.

A: For the purpose of licensing, a “Youth” is defined as someone under the age of 18. 

A: No, before your license can be approved by the State of Michigan, you will need to fill out an application and adhere to several rules and standards outlined in the Child Care Organization Act 116 and Camp Licensing rules (linked below).

Application Information
Overview Slideshow (LARA)
Licensing Rules
CHILD CARE ORGANIZATIONS Act 116 of 1973

A: Any activity that meets the definition requiring a license that proceeded without said license, will be considered an “unlicensed children’s camp” and will be investigated by LARA, facing potential legal action. 

A: The Michigan Crossroads Council does not have any formalized resources available at this time. These resources are from the State of Michigan. 

Application Information
Overview Slideshow (LARA)
Licensing Rules
CHILD CARE ORGANIZATIONS Act 116 of 1973

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