4501 - Establishment of camps by school districts and appropriations authorized.

§ 4501. Establishment  of camps by school districts and appropriations  authorized.    1.  A  school  district,  acting  through  its  board  of  education,  is hereby authorized to establish camps on lands acquired by  such school district by purchase, gift, grant, devise, rent or lease  or  on  lands  the  use  of which has otherwise been acquired by such school  district for camp purposes. Also,  two  or  more  school  districts  may  jointly acquire lands for camp purposes in the same manner and establish  and operate such school camps thereon as joint projects within the limit  of  funds  provided  therefor  by the respective school districts and in  accordance with regulations approved by the commissioner  of  education.  Such  camps  shall  be  used  to  furnish  education, physical training,  recreation and maintenance for all children of school  age,  whether  in  attendance  at  a  public  or  non-public school, and shall be under the  jurisdiction of the board of education of  such  school  district.  Such  board  may,  however,  fix  a  reasonable  fee to cover cost of food and  instructional  materials.  Such  board  shall  provide  opportunity  for  children  to receive instruction in such subjects as such board may deem  proper. Such board shall prescribe the activities to be carried  on  and  shall  set  up rules and regulations for admission to such camps and the  conduct and discipline thereof. No child, whether  in  attendance  at  a  public or non-public school, shall be denied admission to such a camp or  physical training, recreation and maintenance at such a camp, because of  inability  to  pay  any  required  costs  or fees; but no child shall be  entitled  to  free  education,   physical   training,   recreation   and  maintenance  in any such camp for a period in excess of two weeks during  any one year, unless the board of education prescribe  and  direct  that  physically  handicapped  or  other  children  be maintained for a longer  period. The board of education of such  school  district  shall  make  a  report  at  the  annual  meeting  of  such  school  district, of matters  relating to carrying out the provisions of this section.    2. Any such school district is hereby authorized to appropriate in the  manner prescribed by law relating to such school district such  sums  as  may  be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this  section. Money shall be paid out of the treasury of such school district  in the manner provided by law.    3. The provisions of this section shall not  apply  to  the  board  of  education of the city of New York.