Please Carefully Read Through the Following Acknowledgements, Policies, and Conditions of Participation for the Saint Peter Youth Ministry Program. When finished, please type your name below which is the legal equivalent to a handwritten 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 over-the-counter medication 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
Life Teen High School Ministry Guidelines I give permission for my teen to communicate electronically and have contact information shared with adult staff, volunteers, and other teens participating in Saint Peter Youth Ministry. I give permission for my teen’s email and cell phone number to be shared with the Saint Peter Youth Ministry staff and adult volunteers utilized for the purposes of relational ministry including messaging and phone calls. Group messaging will primarily be used, though Saint Peter staff and volunteers may respond to an inquiry, send a message, or make an invitation to an event in an individual message. I give permission for my teen to utilize and download other group messaging apps which may be used to assist in communication within Saint Peter Youth Ministry. I understand as a parent or guardian that all messages in which my teen is involved will be documented and saved for a period of at least one year and that I am able to review the electronic 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 also free to follow. I give consent for my teen to interact with all posts from this account and to be tagged in posts from this account. The Saint Peter Youth Ministry Instagram is run by multiple adult staff and volunteers who monitor the account regularly.
Middle School Ministry Guidelines Parents will be the primary receivers of communication regarding middle school ministry events via email, text message, and group messaging applications. I give permission for my teen to communicate electronically and have contact information shared with other minors within Saint Peter Youth Ministry. I give permission for my teen, if the specific need arises, to communicate via email or cell phone and have contact information shared with adult staff and volunteers within Saint Peter Youth Ministry. I understand as a parent or guardian that all messages involving minors will be documented and saved for at least one year and I can review these communications 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 also free to follow. I give consent for my teen to interact with all posts from this account. The Saint Peter Youth Ministry Instagram is run by multiple adult staff and volunteers who monitor the account regularly.
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 Saint Peter Youth Ministry regularly holds events and trips to locations off the Church property. I give permission for my teen to be transported to and from these events in a personal vehicle by a driver authorized by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, understanding this driver is insured and covered through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Risk and Insurance Program. 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 or insured by Saint Peter Youth Ministry and I assume all risk in this regard. For off-property events requiring transportation, teens will always be transported in a group and will never be in a vehicle alone with just one adult volunteer. Limited exceptions to this rule apply to teens employed at Saint Peter Church as sacristans and to Saint Peter Youth Ministry Teen Missionaries. Any exceptions to this rule will be expressly authorized by a parent or legal guardian ahead of time. Exceptions also apply to a severe emergency in which Saint Peter Youth Ministry staff or volunteers are unable to get in contact with a parent or legal guardian.
Pre-Existing Friendships Exemption Some adult volunteers within Saint Peter Youth Ministry are college-age young adults that have pre-existing friendships with high school participants outside of Life Teen. In the case of these friendships, rules governing electronic communications and one on one interaction will not apply to these specific adult volunteers and specific high schoolers. Questions regarding high school pre-existing friendships with college-aged young adults can be directed to the youth minister who will provide information to a parent or legal guardian.
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 required clearances per the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Child and Youth Protection. Any suspected allegation of any 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. A complete listing of safe environment policies can be requested from the youth minister at any time.
