Canton Baptist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
People Reaching People for Christ

Youth Group Rules

Canton Baptist Church
Youth Group Rules
 
 
YOUTH
 
Youth is considered to be the period between childhood and adulthood, described as the period of physical and psychological development from the onset of puberty to maturity and early adulthood. At Canton Baptist Church to be considered Youth, or participate in youth activities you must meet a minimum class age of 7th grade through a maximum class age of 12th grade. Discretion will be used and exceptions made for rare occasions when church leaders feel it is appropriate.
 
AUTHORITY
 
Youth who choose to participate at Canton Baptist Church agree to follow the instructions of leaders and these rules. Parents also agree to support these rules for the safety and morale of our youth ministry. Teenagers must obey these rules and exhibit respect toward leaders to remain at any youth group activity.
 
AFFECTION
 
Our youth ministry believes that interest in showing physical affection toward the opposite sex is considered a normal and healthy part of maturing teenage relationships. Our youth ministry heeds the scriptural warning to Avoid all appearance of evil.  We believe that appropriateness should dictate the extent of affection shown at youth group activities. Our leadership (minister, chaperone or helper) is instructed to notify couples when their behavior is inappropriate or compromising. The following is always considered inappropriate:
 
  • Compromising situations
  • Excessive public display of affection
  • Hands should be seen at all times
  • Making out (on the bus, vehicle at church or retreat)
  • Sharing Blankets
  • Couples are expected to PARTICIPATE in group activities and sessions (no drifting off to secluded or private areas)
 
DISCIPLINE
 
Parents have not assigned to church leaders the right to physically discipline teenagers. Therefore, leaders only make physical contact with a teenager in order to prevent a greater harm, such as during a fight or an attempt to harm one’s self. With rare exception, no other physical restraint is appropriate.
 
“Sending a teenager home”
 
On all road-trips, retreats, missions, or activities at the church, teenagers will be immediately sent home for:
 
  • Possessing alcohol, illegal drugs, guns, large knives, pornography, tobacco products, or causing danger to themselves or others in the group.
  • Leaving the group without notification or permission.
  • Sexual promiscuity. 

 

“3 Strike System”
 
On all other offenses, teenagers will be sent home after the following procedures have been met:
 
  • A verbal warning has been given.
  • A conference with adult leadership will occur and a public apology to the youth group.
  • If the above is not met the teenager will be sent home.
  • If and when a teenager is sent home the parent will be responsible for providing transportation.
 
“Dismissal Rules”
 

At any church activities the following procedures will be followed for dismissing a teenager from a group activity”:

  • Teenager will be given a warning that their behavior warrants a dismissal.
  • Teenagers who continue to be disruptive will be dismissed from the meeting and will be sent to their parent.
  • A pattern of dismissals will be followed up by a parent/teen/youth minister conference.
  
Dress Code
 
We believe that appropriate clothing is important. We expect parents to help us maintain dress guidelines that represent modesty and godliness.
 
  • Clothing that is too tight or too loose so as to be immodest, short shorts, spaghetti straps, or strapless tops are inappropriate.
  • All pants (boys or girls) must be worn at a natural waistline.
  • Underwear, such as boxers or sport bras, are to be worn as underwear only, not as shorts or as an accessory.
  • We reserve the right to determine what clothing is inappropriate.
  • Shirts with sleeves must be worn to meal times and all Bible study meetings.
  • Youth will be asked and expected to change or cover inappropriate clothing without argument.
  • Absolutely NO T-shirts that promote drugs, alcohol, or vulgarity.
  
FREE TIME
 
(retreats, missions, lock-in, etc.)
 
Youth will be permitted to spend their free time during events only when:
 
  • They are supervised by a chaperone.
  • Chaperone know their location.
Amusement Parks, Malls and Public Places:
 
  • Youth and couples are in groups of no less than 3.
  • Youth will be required to check back with an adult leader at certain times.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOTELS & CABINS
          At times our youth group will stay in hotels. We must realize that we represent Christ everywhere we go.
We must show respect for property and the rights of other people staying in the hotel or cabin.
-     Members of the opposite sex are not permitted in your room at any time.  Exceptions are rare if Chaperone permits.
-      No long distance phone calls unless you have a calling card or call collect.
-     No phone pranks
-      Room captains will be assigned along with chaperone.  They will be in charge of getting, keeping and returning keys.  
They will have other responsibility as assigned.
-     If anything in the room is broken and no one claims guilt, the entire occupants of the room will be responsible for payment.
-      No one can leave their room past the assigned curfew.
-    No noise in your room during quiet hours or from 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM.
-      No wrestling, horseplay or pillow fights in your room.
-      No Jumping on any furniture.
-      No watching movies of any kind on Pay-per-view or any premium channels
(HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, THE MOVIE CHANNEL, ECT.)
 
 
 
INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL
          Please do not bring inappropriate material to youth group meetings or activities. Obviously there are other items that
could fall under the clause of inappropriate. It will be a judgment call. When in doubt, ask. These are considered always
inappropriate:
-      Pornography, Occult jewelry, or materials (tarot cards, etc.)
-      Alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal drugs and their paraphernalia
-      Weapons of any kind
 
 
MANNERS
          We are responsible to be a witness for Christ in restaurants. Thus we expect our youth to behave according
to the following:
-      At buffet restaurants we will be courteous to each other as well as other patrons of the restaurant.
Taking small portions if necessary until everyone has been through the line once.
-      No rude behavior to servers, waitresses or order clerks.
-      Absolutely no throwing food, ice or paper.
-      No damage to forks, spoons, knifes, etc. will be tolerated.
-      We will sit together as a group
-      A 15% tip will be left when served at a table restaurant.
 
 
MEDICAL RELEASE FORM
          A medical release form is to be completed for every teenager going on any church related trip.
This release must be signed (in some cases notarized) by a parent and returned before a teenager will be
permitted to attend.  The release form only needs to be updated if your insurance changes. In case of
serious medical emergencies, parents will be called immediately.
 
 
TRIP, EVENT or ACTIVITY QUALIFICATIONS
          Trips, Events, and Activities will be broken down into categories.  The category will be noted on permission slip.
A deadline for sign up will be set for each event. If permission or sign up is not turned in prior to deadline your teenager
will not qualify to attend.
            CATEGORY 1
-      Youth are expected to attend a minimum 4 classes (Sunday school, D.T. or Wednesday night devotional) and
CATEGORY 2
-      It is the mission of the church to reach others.  There will be certain trips which it is encouraged to bring a friend. 
Youth will be required to bring the friend to a minimum of 1 class prior to trip for meet and greet.
 
 
MONEY
          Checks can be made out to Canton Baptist Church.  The event name should be written on the bottom, left side of the check. 
Deposits are always NON-REFUNDABLE and NON TRANSFERABLE.  Subtract the deposit from the trip amount when paying your balance.
 
MUSIC & ELECTRONIC GAMES
          Personal CD, DVD, IPOD, Cell Phones, MP3 players, electronic games, and other electronic devices are not allowed
during youth group activities or classes.
 
 
PERSONAL CONDUCT
-      Name calling or degrading one another will not be tolerated (James 2:1-4,9)
-      Each person will treat others with respect (Luke 6:31)
-      During worship services, there will be no talking or disrespectful behavior.  It is a Holy time and proper behavior is expected.
-      All youth are expected to remain present during all aspects of the meeting.
-      Gossip or slander will not be tolerated (Proverbs 6:19)
-      Youth are encouraged and expected to bring their Bible to every meeting. If they do not have one or cannot afford one,
the group will assist that person in obtaining a Bible for their use.
 
 
RETREATS & ROAD TRIPS
          For the youth group to function well while on a road trip, obeying and respecting adult leadership is essential. 
By allowing a teenager to go on a trip, parents agree to allow adult leadership to make final decisions about discipline.
On all trips and retreats the following guidelines will be followed:
o       Treat everyone with respect, kindness and courtesy.
o       We reserve the right to put a chaperone in your room.
o       We reserve the right to require and enforce modest dress standards (see dress code).
o       Do not enter the cabin or room of the opposite sex without a chaperone.
o       Always be ON TIME, Do not break curfew: Curfew means you must remain inside your room or cabin until time to meet.
Lights out means lights out!
o       No practical jokes of any kind. No water balloons, no shaving cream on people sleeping, no fighting, no fireworks
of any kind.  No horseplay, fighting, name calling, aggressive behavior, or bad language: If you break it, you pay for it.
o       No bungee jumping, swinging, wave runner, scooter rentals or similar activities will be allowed so don’t ask.
Basically if you have to sign a waiver to do it, don’t ask!
o       Obey camp, retreat, hotel, or facility rules not stated here.
 
 
TRANSPORTATION
          Part of doing youth ministry is transporting teenagers.  Our church will always provide enough transportation
to and from event.  Or we will not travel! It is possible that we may require a bus rental if more than 15 and a bus fee
may be required to assist to pay bus expenses.  FOR ALL TRIPS OUTSIDE TRIGG COUNTY, ADULT-DRIVEN TRANSPORTATION
IS THE ONLY OPTION! Church leadership cannot:
-      Be responsible for the safety of youth driven vehicles.
-      Guarantee the quality of driving of youth driven vehicles.
-      Maintain who rides with whom in youth driven vehicles.
-      Be responsible for youth who leave in youth driven vehicles.
-      Bottom line……DON’T ASK IF YOU CAN DRIVE SEPERATELY IF YOU ARE A YOUTH.
 
 
STUDENT:_______________________________________________________   DATE:____________________
 
 
PARENT:  _______________________________________________________   DATE:_____________________
 
 
*Please sign and turn into the Youth Minister or Church office.  A signed copy will be mailed to your home.
Created 3-29-2010 Rev 2
Updated 4-13-10 – Defined Youth