Overall Safety Guidelines:            

- All adults (18 or older) working with children/youth will have on file at the church an up-to-date clearance for criminal record check and child abuse history; clearances must be updated every five years and/or whenever an individual changes counties of residence

• - Whenever possible, two or more un-related adults will be present at all times working with children/youth
• - No one under the age of 18 will be permitted to provide direct leadership of events for children/youth
• - All volunteers must be at least 5 years older than the oldest child in the group
• - Whenever possible, "windowless" doors should be kept open
• - "Roamers" may be used when necessary

Overnight Policies:

- All adults spending the night as chaperones must have submitted clearance checks prior to the night of the event

• - Suggested adult/child ratio: one adult per every five children/youth
• - Each participating child/youth must have submitted a consent form signed by a parent/guardian prior to the overnight
• - If the overnight is a "sleepover," boys and girls will reside in separate rooms with appropriate number of adult chaperones
• - If the overnight is in a motel, lodge or some other facility, adults will share rooms with adults only; children/youth will share rooms with other children/youth only
• - All overnight functions (hosted or sponsored by the church) must be cleared by the Administrative Board
• - Any exceptions to the above must be approved by the Administrative Board prior to the event

Transportation Policies:

- No drivers under the age of 21 will be used to transport children/youth as long as the five year age span is still in effect.

• - All drivers will be covered with "adequate" insurance
• - All drivers should be safe drivers and have the proper credentials in the state of residence (Drivers with a DUI or "excessive" number of speeding tickets will be considered by the Safe Sanctuaries Committee on case-by-case basis.)
• - All passengers should have a seat belt and the use of them should always be enforced.
• - Where possible, use caravans of cars as you travel.
• - If only one adult is driving a carload of children/youth, there should be a central meeting place at which each rider gathers; riders should be returned to this central meeting place, too. If at all possible, no adults should transport a single child/youth by his/herself.
• - There should be adequate space for all passengers and for all luggage and equipment.
• - If possible, all drivers should have access to a cell phone or some other way to communicate in the event of an emergency.

• - Any exceptions to the above will be negotiated with the adult leaders of the event and/or The Safe Sanctuaries Committee.

END

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