Youth Ministry Policies

A no-smoking policy is in effect when youth step on to Parish of the Transfiguration property until the time you leave or return from an event/activity/trip. Federal and New Hampshire State laws prohibit vendors from selling tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. No smoking is permitted at any youth event by any person, adult or youth.

All Federal and New Hampshire State laws concerning alcohol and drugs will be strictly enforced. No possession and/or consumption of alcohol or drugs will be permitted at any youth event by any person, adult or youth. If an illegal drug is discovered, police involvement is guaranteed.

It is expected that youth and adults at youth events will follow the direction of the Youth Minister and Youth Ministry Staff. Any instances of lack of cooperation or insubordination will not be tolerated and will be subject to appropriate discipline. The Youth Minister and Youth Ministry Staff reserve the right to handle disciplinary situations in a way that best serves the overall group, including the removal of a participant and sending him home at their own expense, with parental notification.

Youth are expected to dress in a fashion that represents modesty and good taste. No shirts with inappropriate language or pictures may be worn nor should undergarments may be showing at any time.

It is expected that all youth and adults will be present for scheduled activities during the event, and in appropriate places with chaperones present. Roaming off the event site is not permitted. At no time should a youth participant leave the event without an adult chaperone. It is to be understood that the said adult takes full responsibility for a youth once off the event site. Adults are not permitted to take youth from an event without express permission of the Youth Minister or in case of emergency.

If an event, such as a Friday Night Drop-In, is scheduled from 7-10PM, youth will be allowed in for the first thirty minutes after an event start time. (until 8:30, in this example.) Youth who arrive because of a work conflict must contact the youth minister at least one day before the event. Youth are expected to remain present and not leave early unless a phone call has been made to the youth minister by a parent/guardian. Youth are expected to sign in and sign out in a special binder – Event Attendance Record – that will maintain a written record of attendance per event.

An event, such as a Friday Night Drop-In, is open to high school youth.  Because many high school youth are mobile and employed, we realize that many teens may simply "drop-in" to visit friends or hang out after work in the youth center.  Youth are expected to sign in and sign out in a special binder – Event Attendance Record – that will maintain a written record of attendance per event.  Once a youth signs out, they are expected to leave Saint John the Baptist property and not return for that event without permission of the supervising adult.

For overnight events/activities, there will not be co-ed sleeping quarters. Youth will have separate areas designated for men and women. No member of one sex is to be in an area marked for the opposite sex. This will be strictly enforced.