Participants in the Youth Development Program are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is cooperative with the group. Each participant will be expected to be able to participate in a large group setting, appropriately participate in offsite field trips, and be able to stand, walk, and sit for a general period of time conducive to participating in activities. However, a participant’s refusal to follow directions given to them by the staff creates an atmosphere that is disruptive to the program and will result in disciplinary action. In order to ensure a safe and secure program for all participants of the Youth Development Program, all youth will strive to fulfill the following:
* Respect each other
* Respect the staff
* Respect the facility and equipment
* No tolerance for drugs, alcohol, weapons, or roughhousing/fighting
* No inappropriate language
* All participants must check in upon arrival
* All participants are expected to report all unsafe or illegal activity to the staff immediately
* All participants are expected to dress appropriately: No open toed shoes, No gang attire, No spaghetti straps, No clothes with inappropriate graphics,
* All participants are expected to clean up after themselves (meals, activities, and use of equipment)
* Food must only be eaten in designated areas
* When offsite all participants are expected to stay with their assigned group (failure to do so could result in removal from future offsite activities)
* No public displays of affection
If the above guidelines are not followed, the following behavior consequences may occur:
1st incident: Verbal warning and written notice home
2nd incident: Suspension for 1-2 days; will be determine by leadership staff
3rd incident: Suspension for 3 or more days; will be determined by leadership staff based on incident; will require a youth success plan upon return
There are some situations that may occur where verbal and written warnings may be bypassed, and the participant may be suspended for their actions. This may include displaying physical violence (i.e. fighting), damaging MIT property, and/or other serious behaviors that are not tolerated at the Youth & Teen Center, as determined by the YDP Supervisor or designee.
If the participant’s behavior continues to be disruptive to the program after following the above behavior consequences, the Youth Development Program reserves the right to withdraw the participant from the program. This is only after repeated behavior violations, discussions with the participant and parents/guardians, and multiple attempts to correct the behavior.