Please Carefully Read Through the Following Acknowledgements, Policies, and Conditions of Participation for the Saint Peter Life Teen Youth Ministry Program. When finished, please type your name below as a signature. If you are a teen filling out this form, ask your parent or guardian to complete this remaining section.
General Assumption of Risk and Liability Release. In consideration for my teen’s participation in Saint Peter Youth Ministry, and intending to be legally bound, myself and my teen agree and understand that we assume all risk of our participation in Saint Peter Youth Ministry, and with full knowledge of the risks inherent in such a program, we do hereby release and forever discharge Saint Peter Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and their employees, volunteers, chaperones, agents, administrators, and any official representatives from any/all liability, damages, actions or suits in law or equity which we might hereafter have by reasons of personal or bodily injury, and/or property damage arising from or related by our teen participating in Saint Peter Youth Ministry. In case of emergency, we give permission for our teen to receive necessary medical treatment until the emergency contact can be notified and we agree to be responsible for payment of said medical treatment. If the need arises, I give permission for my teen to be given basic over-the-counter medication, such as Advil or Tylenol, supervised by adult staff or volunteers of Saint Peter Youth Ministry.
Photography and Media Release. I give consent for my teen’s photo or video to be taken as a part of Saint Peter Youth Ministry. I give consent for my teen’s photo, video, name, and likeness to be used or posted on any parish, school, or organizational website or social media account within Saint Peter Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. I hereby consent to the use of any videos, photographs, slides, audio or any other audio or visual reproduction in which the teen registering on this form may appear by Saint Peter Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. I understand that these materials may be used for promotional purposes including recruitment and fundraising efforts or general publication. Promotion may include but is not limited to slide presentations, photo displays, social media promotions, and electronic multi-media display. I agree that the photograph image shall be free for use and release Saint Peter Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, its employees, volunteers, and agents for any liability connected with the use of said photograph or image.
Electronic Communication with Minors Consent. I give permission for my teen to communicate electronically and have contact information shared with adult staff and volunteers and other minors participating in Saint Peter Youth Ministry. Group messaging will be the primary form of communication for teens in Saint Peter Youth Ministry using the GroupMe application. Parents with teens involved in Saint Peter Youth Ministry will receive updates via email. I give permission for my teen’s email and cell phone number to be shared with the youth ministry staff and adult volunteers of Saint Peter Youth Ministry and utilized if the specific need arises. I understand as a parent or guardian that all electronic communications with minors will be documented and I can review these communications in which my teen is involved at any time. I give consent for my teen to follow the official Saint Peter Youth Ministry Instagram Account. I understand this is a public account that I, as a parent or guardian, am free to follow to monitor my teen’s activity. I give consent for my teen to interact with all posts from this account.
Standards of Behavior. Saint Peter Youth Ministry desires to create a joyful, welcoming environment where all teens can come to encounter Christ. We strive to use our speech to uplift, affirm, and show gratitude to others. We commit to receiving and welcoming one another as if we were welcoming Christ Himself. As such, each teen commits to upholding the standards of this environment and following all the directives of the youth ministry staff and volunteers. There is a zero-tolerance policy for any bullying, threats, harassment, or any other kind of behavior deemed inappropriate. Repeated disregard for these standards will lead to potential consequences up to and including dismissal from the Saint Peter Youth Ministry program.
Off Property Events and Transportation. There will be occasional events within Saint Peter Youth Ministry that will be held off the Church property. I understand these events will be communicated to parents ahead of time. I give permission for my teen to be transported to and from these events in a personal vehicle by a driver vetted and approved by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia if needed. I understand that I will have the option to arrange my own personal transportation for my teen if I desire or allow them to transport themselves if licensed. I understand this personal transportation is not arranged by Saint Peter Youth Ministry and I assume all risk in this regard.
Commitment to Safe Environment. Saint Peter Youth Ministry is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all teens. All adult volunteers serving teens in Saint Peter Youth Ministry will have all the required clearances per the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Child and Youth Protection. Adult volunteers and staff will never communicate with a minor in a 1:1 private conversation via text, social media, or email. Teens desiring to have a personal in-person conversation with an adult volunteer will do so in a public area within the line of sight of others. For off-property events requiring transportation, teens will always be transported in a group and will never be in a vehicle 1:1 with an adult volunteer. Any suspected allegation of abuse or inappropriate activity will be immediately handled and investigated in accordance with the policies set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Child and Youth Protection. All teens, parents, and adult volunteers, are encouraged and empowered to report any concerns to the youth minister by emailing youth@saintpeterchurch.net. Concerns can also be reported to the pastor or any other member of the Saint Peter Church Staff. Before the Youth Ministry Kickoff event, all parents will receive via email a complete, detailed outline of all safe environment policies that will be followed within Saint Peter Youth Ministry.
