We also have similar forms for our day camp program, and we also have liability insurance against injuries. But as of two years ago, we were required to purchase a special rider to protect our organization in the event a staff person was accused of improper conduct with a minor. Sadly, this insurance does not protect the child - it protects the organization from financial ruin in the event of a lawsuit.
We do practice “two deep leadership” - there must always be two adults when there is one child present. It is also acceptable to have two children and one adult, but not as “safe” - legally speaking. All staff and volunteers are instructed that except in case of emergency, there should never be one adult and one child together in an isolated situation.
What that would mean for the original poster, is that if a child had to go to
the bathroom in the middle of the night, he or she could not be escorted by
just one adult.
Sometimes I feel so sad at our “modern” world.
Cindy Boyer
Director of Museums and Education
The Landmark Society of Western New York
Rochester, NY
(585) 546-7029 x12
www.landmarksociety.org
Our mission is to discover, protect, and revitalize the architectural
and related cultural heritage of the Rochester region, and to
educate and inform our community about that heritage.
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Laurie Brintle Hayes
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007
1:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] sleepover
program
Heather,
I conducted summer camps for a museum several years ago. Parents dropped off the students for a total of four hours a day. Each parent had to fill-out a registration form which asked information such as: Who is the legal guardian? Who will be picking up the student? Who will be dropping of the student? Does the student have any allergies or take any medications? We had about a 1:5 ratio.
We also went on mini-field trips, which were off the museum grounds, and parents were asked to sign a release form/permission form. We were advised by our attorney to do this. The museum that I work for now has general liability insurance which covers injuries on museum grounds.
Laurie Hayes
Wilkes Heritage Museum
From: Museum
discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Heather Iannucci
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007
12:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] sleepover
program
The educator at our historic site has proposed a new program for this summer. She has suggested a sleepover program where individual children (not groups) are dropped off at the site, parents not included. The museum staff would act as chaperones. Target audience would be children 8-12 years old. We would provide a bedtime snack, breakfast, and activities for the evening.
I have scoured the archives for any information on this type of program, but can only find examples of sleepovers/camp-in programs where parents, teachers, or group leaders are included and functioning as chaperones. Has anyone had experience with the type of program proposed above?
Some of my immediate concerns include ratio of staff to kids, liability, potential special licensing from state/local authorities, vaccination records, gender related issues, what info would be need on release forms...
Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Heather Iannucci
Interim Historic Site Manager
John Jay Homestead State Historic Site
914-232-5651