Class Code 9048
Camps; Boy/Girl Scout Councils – Camp Operations
Class Code 9048 applies to camp operations run by Boy/Girl Scout councils and similar organized youth camps in California. It covers on-site paid employees who run programs, food service, waterfronts and facility maintenance. The approved pure premium rate for 9/1/2026 is $2.304 per $100 of payroll, which reflects the loss experience expected for this type of seasonal, program-driven exposure.
What Class Code 9048 Covers
This classification covers employees engaged in the day-to-day operation of organized camps: resident overnight camps, day camps, and program camps run by scout councils or similar non-profit youth organizations. Typical covered operations include counselor-led programs (nature education, crafts, archery), waterfront activities (swimming, boating), ropes and climbing courses, kitchen and dining services, custodial and groundskeeping work, on-site medical or first-aid staff, and maintenance of cabins, trails and camp vehicles. Administrative staff are included if they perform regular on-site duties related to camp operations. Volunteer leaders who are unpaid are generally outside standard workers' compensation payroll, but seasonal stipends, stipends-in-kind, or purchased volunteer coverage can change classification and coverage needs.
Who It Applies To
- Seasonal and year-round camp counselors and program instructors
- Waterfront staff and certified lifeguards at swim areas and boat docks
- Kitchen and dining services employees (cooks, servers, dishwashers)
- Maintenance, groundskeeping, and facilities repair workers
- Camp directors, registrars and on-site administrative staff
Common Job Duties
- Supervising and leading groups of children on hikes, overnight stays and skill activities
- Instructing and operating waterfront programs, launching small craft and enforcing swim areas
- Preparing meals, handling food service equipment and cleaning kitchens
- Maintaining trails, buildings, ropes courses, and using power/hand tools
- Administering first aid, giving medication and managing medical incidents
- Driving camp vehicles, transporting supplies and towing small trailers
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.304 Rate
The pure premium rate of $2.304 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of claims for this class based on loss history. Insurers multiply that base rate by an employers payroll to estimate expected losses, then adjust for experience modification, policy-level discounts or surcharges, insurer expense loads, and state assessments to calculate the final premium. Employers with heavy waterfront exposure, poor claims history, or misclassified payroll (for higher-risk duties) will typically see higher final costs.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Camp operations in California must follow applicable Title 8 Cal/OSHA orders: Heat Illness Prevention for outdoor workers, General Industry orders for fall protection when working at height, Hazard Communication for chemicals used in cleaning and maintenance, and Bloodborne Pathogens procedures for handling injuries. waterfront and boating operations require lifeguard staffing, PFDs, and rescue equipment consistent with state and local guidance; failure to implement these controls increases regulatory and liability risk.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 9048
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' compensation administration, provide camp-specific loss control programs (lifeguard training, heat-illness plans, ropes course safety checklists), and help secure accurate payroll classification to avoid overpaying. Key HR also assists with claims management, return-to-work plans to reduce indemnity exposure, and safety training tracking so camps demonstrate proactive compliance and can lower experience modifiers over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Are unpaid scout volunteers covered under Class Code 9048?
Unpaid volunteers are generally not on payroll and therefore typically not covered by workers' compensation payroll classifications, but if volunteers receive stipends, housing, or other compensation, their wages may be reportable. Councils should review volunteer arrangements and consider purchased volunteer coverage or include stipends in payroll reporting when required.
How does waterfront programming affect my workers' comp costs?
Waterfront activities increase exposure to drowning, rescue incidents and claims severity. Insurers factor waterfront operations into pricing; documented lifeguard certification, structured swim policies, equipment inspections and low claims history can mitigate premium increases.
What safety programs lower claims for camp operations?
Effective programs include mandatory lifeguard and first-aid/CPR certification, heat-illness prevention plans, daily equipment and ropes-course inspections, formal job hazard analyses for maintenance tasks, food-safety training for kitchen staff, and a formal return-to-work program to limit lost-time claims.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 9048
- Classification
- Camps; Boy/Girl Scout Councils – Camp Operations
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.304 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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