MIDDLESCHOOL AND YOUTH GUIDELINES 

1. A parental consent form is needed for each and every event sponsored by the church outside of regular church school hours. No youth may participate in any event unless a church school registration or guest slip and a parental permission slip is on file with the church.

2. A field trip permission slip is needed for each and every event away from the church during church hours. Some classes may have an ongoing "open" permission slip for short walking trips away from church on Sunday mornings and evening gatherings.

3. All church-sponsored events have adult sponsors in attendance at all times. A sponsor is an adult who is over age 25 and serves in the role of chaperone. The ratio shall be one adult to every 10 youth, with a minimum of two adults. Any social event occurring off-premises with church youth in attendance that does not have these designated sponsors is not a church-sponsored event. Parents are responsible for their Youth in these situations.

4. Rules for all youth overnights include the following:

• All youth will stay in the church building during an overnight event. There will be no leaving or entering of the building without sponsor permission.
• All youth will respect the property of others and the church.
• All youth will obey the rules prohibiting weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and sex.
• All youth will help clean up the church so it will be left as it was prior to use.
• All youth will follow all reasonable requests of sponsors.
• All youth will respect the quiet sleeping room.

Each youth is to sign an agreement regarding these rules prior to attendance at an event, and the youth group will read them aloud in unison at the beginning of each overnight. Quiet time and sleep curfews in specific rooms are established at each of the overnight events by the sponsors.

5. If a youth attending church-sponsored or district events does not follow the accepted rules, parents/guardians will be contacted and the youth will be removed/sent home if necessary. If the event is on the church premises, the parents/guardians will be contacted and may be requested to pick up the youth from the event. A group may be formed at each event (size to be decided at event) of adults and youth who will help decide consequences.

6. Any youth not registered in the UUCE church school program are considered "guests" and are expected to conform to the same "Youth Group Covenant" as church youth. Guests are not permitted to attend youth overnights unless prior arrangement has been made with the DRE and advisor.

7. Youth are expected to be on time to all church events and field trips. This is for the convenience of the sponsors and other participants and contributes to the overall success of the event.

8. If any youth leaves or disappears from any event, a reasonable effort will be made to find the youth. If he/she is not found within 30 minutes, parents will be notified. If necessary, police will be contacted.

9. It is recommended that adults over the age of 21 provide transportation for youth to church-sponsored events, as well as to events at other churches, youth conferences, and district events. Anyone of legal age may drive youth, however, written parental permission is necessary for a youth to ride to/from a church-sponsored event with any driver under the age of 21.

10. Youth group gatherings provide an opportunity for the sharing of experience, thoughts and concerns. For that reason, information shared in this forum shall be considered confidential. Under most circumstances, such information will not be shared with parents. However, if information pertaining to mandatory reporting of suspected abuse is disclosed, such information will be reported. If a youth discloses behavior or intent that constitutes a risk of significant harm to him/herself or others, this information will be shared with parents/guardians or the appropriate authorities.

For more information, contact Candee Cole, Director of Religious Education