Any 4-H club or advisory council planning an overnight event must have the event, location, and details approved by a 4-H Educator. The event must be approved at least 2 months in advance of the event.
All youth overnighting at a sanctioned UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development event must have an assigned chaperone for the duration of the event. If male and female youth attend an overnight event, there must be male and female adults chaperones for the event.
All adult chaperones must be enrolled UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development Volunteers.
UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development will share adult chaperones with other state’s 4-H programs. Any out of state 4-H volunteers that chaperone UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development members, must become enrolled volunteers and complete the UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development Volunteer application and screening process.
Overnight accommodations for youth are single-sex male or female rooming opportunities (hotels, residence halls, cabins, etc.) Youth are guaranteed a single bed or cot to themselves. Youth are not permitted to share beds. Requests for accommodations must be received by the local 4-H Educator, in writing, at least one month prior to the event or registration close date.
4-H volunteers are not permitted to stay in the same hotel room, tent, etc. or enclosed sleeping area with 4-H members they are not related to. 4-H volunteers are not permitted to share private bathrooms (hotels, residence halls, etc.) with 4-H members they are not related to. An exception may be made when a facility has a large dormitory style sleeping area (Big E, camps, etc.) These exceptions are granted by the 4-H Program Director.
All overnight UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development sponsored and sanctioned events, will follow the health and safety protocols of the hosting facility. All youth and volunteers attending overnight events must have health paperwork, liability waivers, and code of conduct forms signed by a parent or guardian on file.
Adult chaperones are permitted to stay in barns, stables, and structures where animals are housed for the purpose of watching animals.