Supervision

Supervision of minors

When minors attend programs without a parent/guardian, Minnesota 4-H Volunteers and Extension employees are expected to provide adequate supervision.

• A minimum of two Minnesota 4-H Volunteers and/or Extension employees must be present at all times. These individuals are included in the following overall ratios.

  • For ages 8 and younger, 1:8 adult to youth ratio.

  • For ages 9 to 14, 1:10 adult to youth ratio.

  • For ages 15 and older, 1:12 adult to youth ratio.

• These ratios must be met at all times.

• Additional staff needed to meet the ratios may be youth camp counselors or teen leaders who are 16 or older and two years older then the oldest participant, or a parent/guardian as long as the adult will be under the direct supervision of the two Minnesota 4-H Volunteers at all times.

• Example: A 4-H club project meeting has 25 youth participating. Eight youth are ages 8 and younger, eleven youth are ages 9 to 14, and six youth are ages 15 and older. The requirement is three volunteers. Ideally all three volunteers are Minnesota 4-H Volunteers. At minimum, the volunteers must include at least two Minnesota 4-H Volunteers. The other volunteer may be a parent/guardian as long as the adult will be under the direct supervision of the two Minnesota 4-H Volunteers at all times.

• Minnesota 4-H volunteers are responsible for program organization and are available in case of an emergency.

Contact

Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428