Youth Age Limit for Center Attendance
The teen center is setup for 6th to 12th graders. Unless special nights are notated these are the only ages allowed into the center. Teens are allowed to come as a 6th grader as soon as they finish the last day of 5th grade. Teens are also allowed to attend the teen center at 18 years of age as long as they are actively completing high school credits (seniors that turn 19 during their senior year year are approved but need to alert staff of age) . Once graduation occurs teens will no longer be able to attend as youth and will have to apply as a volunteer. Adults over the age of 18, although taking high school credits or working on their GED are not allowed to attend as a youth.
Teen Center Atmosphere
All who enter the center agree to treat the center as a neutral grounds. If you do not like one another you leave it at the door.
The center is a trauma informed and sensory friendly safe space for all. There will be no hate speech, derogatory comments, or treating anyone poorly within the center.
You can dislike someone and still be kind.
You can disagree with someones choices and still be kind.
You can dislike someones family and still be kind.
Kindness is a right and non negotiable in the center. Responding to “disrespect” from others by teaching “lessons” is not the appropriate way to interact with another human in the teen center. If you are unable to do this, avoid that person, ask for staff assistance, or you will receive a meeting to discuss disciplinary actions.
Adult Interactions with Teens
Volunteers should maintain appropriate boundaries with teens. Volunteers should not give out their personal number, social media tags, or personal emails to teens without permission. If a teen needs someone to talk to or needs further contact instead refer them to the administration number and alert administration about the teen in need. Volunteers keep discussion centered around the teen and their life. Remember you are the adult leader not a friend.
Appropriate and Inappropriate Actions
There are appropriate and inappropriate interactions with teens.
Appropriate physical contact with teens includes: side hugs, pats on the upper back, handshakes and high fives, touching hands, shoulder/arms, arm around shoulder. Inappropriate Physical Interaction includes: extended and prolonged hugs, kissing, interaction behind closed doors and isolated areas, touching bottoms, chest, stomach, and upper leg, inappropriate wrestling, piggy back rides, tickling, any type of massage, bullying, hazing, corporal punishment, romantic or sexual contact, viewing pornography, and any form of affection that is unwanted.
There is also appropriate and inappropriate verbal communication. Appropriate communication could involve praise, positive reinforcement, casual conversation, positive electronic communication, and appropriate jokes. Inappropriate Communication includes harsh and threatening language or cursing, derogatory remarks, belittling or name calling, risque or sexual joke, sexually provocative language, jokes at others expense, telling stories that others do not wish to have told, involving youth in personal problems, secret or private electronic communications, and sharing secrets with youth.
Volunteer Supervision Guidelines
When teens are present special attention needs to be given in areas of special risk. these include isolated areas, and the presence of high-risk youth. The following guidelines are:
Isolated areas:
Any area where there is not a straight visual of others. Areas to take into consideration: the stairway to The Hangout, the movie room, bathrooms, hallway. If an area is isolated, staff should remain in doorways and at least six feet away from students unless two other people are present.
Staff to teen ratio:
There should always be at least three people present in the teen center. One of these must be an adult volunteer. Adults should never be alone with teens, nor should teens ever be left alone. Supervision of teens is required at all times. If a situation arises where this is not able to be maintained please call the on call administrator and have teens move outside until staffing arrives.
The Hangout Area:
Teens and staff should stay in designated Hangout areas only. If staff or teens need to use the restroom someone needs to be on the security station to make sure teens are viewed entering and leaving the restroom and then must immediately return to The Hangout.
Procedures for Monitoring Youth Interaction
Adult leaders should never be alone with youth. One should never be behind closed doors with a youth. This protects the youth and the adult. Approved public meetings are appropriate if trained.
When youth is needing to be talked to one on one in a private setting, leaders need to position the meeting where others can have them within their line of sight.
Hazing/Bullying
We do not have any tolerance for hazing or bullying of any kind. Hazing is defined as any activity expected to join or maintain status in a group. Hazing involves humiliating, degrading, or risking physically or emotional harm. This should not occur even if the participant agrees and is willing. This include employees, volunteers, and youth across all peer groups. Bullying is defined as aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength, It is usually repeated over time. Bullying includes actions such as hitting, punching, teasing, name calling, intimidation through gestures and social exclusion. Bullying also includes cyber bullying through use of technology.
Public Displays of Affection
Special attention should be given to youth that are attracted to other youth. Youth should not be allowed to make-out, sit under blankets or pillows together, sit on one another, display inappropriate physical affection, or be in isolated areas alone. Youth should sit in the appropriate amount of space furniture allows. If a chair is meant for one person, one person should be sitting in the chair (even if multiple can fit). If a couple is dating, it needs to be told to staff, if not told, no hand holding should occur. Youth and adults should follow the appropriate physical touch as mentioned in the heading “Appropriate and Inappropriate Actions” above.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Please do not arrive at the Youth Center before opening as staff needs time to open and prepare the facilities. If youth is dropped off outside before this there will be not be any supervision or responsibility on the center.
Do not hang around after closing.
Parents, please be on time to pick up your children. Once youth has arrived at the Youth Center and checked in they will be told they need to stay, however staff can not stop youth from leaving. Youth, once signed in, must remain in the building until they are picked up; no leaving and re-entering the center is allowed. If youth is left at center 15 minutes after closing, guardians will be alerted. If youth is repeatedly left without being picked up a parent meeting will be scheduled.
Parents, please make sure that your child has entered the building when dropping him or her off. Also, if the Youth Center has reached its member capacity on a given night we will post a large sign at the front door that states “FULL”.
Do not drop off children when the sign has been placed at the door. When picking up your child, please be considerate in where you wait for them. Please do not create a double line. Form a single line of cars so that others have space to drive out and the youths leaving the building will not be in danger because of limited viewing.
Additional Rules and Regulations
- All visitors are required to sign in upon entering the Teen Center and
sign out upon exiting the Teen Center.- Untrained adults need to be approved before entering the center around other minors. Please alert administration if needing a private meeting.
- No fighting or mock-fighting.
- Try your best to not curse. Slip ups are acceptable, no attempt to curb cursing will result in disciplinary action. Do not use abusive language toward anyone.
- Be kind always, even if you dont like someone.
- Use of or possession of alcohol or any illegal substances at the Teen Center
is prohibited. We are a substance free and recovery friendly center. - All equipment must be used appropriately. Damage or misuse will result in disciplinary action.
- Smoking, vaping, vaping clothing, chewing tobacco, marijuana, ecigs, or use of other tobacco/tobacco adjacent products is prohibited.
- Participation at the Teen Center is on a drop-in, voluntary basis. Staff is
not responsible for teens once they leave the Teen Center and are unable to physically stop youth from leaving. - No weapons within the teen center unless law enforcement or designated security. If you carry a knife, mace, or defense weapon it needs to be left in your vehicle or checked into staff in a lock box upon entering.
- Bags or baggy clothing is subject to be searched if suspicions arise. Police are also welcome in the center at all times.
- Defacing property will result in an immediate parent meeting.
- Clothing must cover breast (side, under, top, nipple), buttocks (top and bottom), private areas, and not show any gang, cursing, hate speech, or inappropriate themes for the atmosphere. Please ask if unsure.
- Violation of Teen Center Rules may result in disciplinary action, including;
parental notification, police notification, suspension or expulsion. Youth will always know this is occurring and will receive warnings, chances to correct behavior, and staff will take into consideration extraneous circumstances into each action. Staff is not aiming to get youth in trouble, we want youth at the center. Healthy boundaries, respect, and care of other youth, staff, and the center is non negotiable.
McPherson Community Teen Center 