“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Chinese Proverb

“If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin

Youth Council

Youth members of the group will be actively involved in determining activities and “charting the course” to further instill responsibility and leadership skills. Youth members will elect officers to serve on the Youth Council, which will form the governance structure of the group. The group’s advisors will be actively involved in providing support to the Youth Council. Positions will be filled through an electoral process that will occur during the month of February of each year. The Youth Council will consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. A position description will be created for each, outlining the responsibilities of each elected position.

Adult Advisors

Christine Fazzi will serve as youth group advisor, along with a half dozen of other adult advisors as well has responsible parent volunteers as needed. Because of the nature of the program, parent involvement shall be limited.

All advisors and adult volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application and will be required to undergo a Criminal Background Investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and obtain a Child Abuse History Clearance by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Volunteers who indicate they resided or were employed outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for any period of time during the past 15 years will be required to undergo a Criminal Background Investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Parent Involvement

Youth participants, along with their parents, must complete a “Participation Agreement”, which will outline expectations, appropriate behaviors, release of liability, etc. Parents will also be required to submit Emergency Instructions, including emergency contact information, allergies, etc.

Students attending Bear Creek Community Charter School will be permitted to stay after school to participate in youth group activities. These students must have a Participation Agreement signed by a parent/guardian before they will be allowed to stay after school.

Youth group meetings and other activities are considered “lock in” activities. Youth are expected to participate in the entire activity and will not be permitted to leave until the end of the activity and shall be released to a responsible adult.

Regular meetings end at 7:00 p.m. All youth are expected to be picked up by 7:10 p.m. Youth will not be released at the end of a meeting or program until they are “signed out” by a parent, guardian or other pre-authorized adult. Youth pick-up information must be on file with the youth group advisor in advance. Under no circumstances will a youth be released unattended or without being “signed out” by an adult.