SECTION 748.3843. What are the requirements for monitoring children's safety and health during hiking or camping excursions?

Caregivers participating in the hiking or camping activity must ensure that:

(1) Each child participating in the hiking or camping activity has the clothing, equipment, and provisions necessary to protect the child from the environment, including insect repellent and sunscreen;

(2) A child does not carry a load of more than 30% of the child's body weight;

(3) Hiking does not exceed the physical capabilities of the weakest member of the group. If a participating child cannot or will not hike, the group must not continue unless other provisions have been made to care for the child;

(4) In temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit:

(A) Children are offered a minimum of three quarts of drinking water per day;

(B) Electrolyte replacement is available to children at all times; and

(C) Other techniques are available to cool a participant, such as water to coat a child's body or cold packs; and

(5) Potable water is available at each campsite. Caregivers must verify water cache location information before the group leaves camp each day, if applicable.

Source Note: The provisions of this §748.3843 adopted to be effective January 1, 2007, 31 TexReg 7377; transferred effective March 9, 2018, as published in the Texas Register February 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 909