§ 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.