Youth Conference 2016 Code of Conduct

As we always have a code of conduct that is expected of both youth and chaperons, we wanted to make sure it is clear and communicated effectively.

Youth

Big 5 - Anyone breaking any of the EFY Big 5 rules will be sent home immediately. There are no "warnings" or "second chances". You just go home.

EFY Big 5

• Participating in or encouragin immoral behavior of any kind, which includes breaking the law of chastity and viewing pornography in any form.
• Shoplifting, theft, or vandalism of any kind.
• Breaking the Word of Wisdom, including possession of illegal substances.
• Possession of weapons or firearms of any kind.
• Doing anything harmful to yourself or others; physically, spiritually, or emotionally.

Dress and Appearance - We expect you to follow the EFY rules for dress and appearance. Inappropriate dress and/or appearance will result in your parents showing up to solve the problem or take you home. Trust me, the last place you want your mom showing up with a change of clothing is the middle of a dance.

Leaving Conference Early - Chaperons are not allowed to take youth offsite outside of conference service projects. Anyone needing to leave early must be picked up by a parent who MUST talk to a member of their Stake Presidency. It doesn't matter how much you want that Icee, it ain't happening.

Leaving a Conference Activity - All youth must be chaperoned at all times. Anyone needing to return to their dorms MUST have a chaperon letting them in the building and staying with them until they leave. There will be many scheduled break times but these are not times to return to the dorms. There will be specific times scheduled to return to the dorms before/after major activities.

Cell Phone Policy - Cell phones are yours and are your responsibility. Cell phones should not interrupt youth conference activities. We ask youth conference participants to show courtesy and respect for all involved by being good examples and following the guidelines listed below:

• Please do not use cell phones for texting, conversation, email, games, or anything else during organized meetings, devotionals, classes, and other activities.
• Silence your cell phone during activities so it is not a distraction.
• If your cell phone has a camera, please do not use it to distract or interrupt others.

Illness - If you are too sick to go to the activities please talk to your chaperon and have a parent come and pick you up. The chaperon will inform a member of your stake presidency that you are leaving youth conference.

Unwillingness to Participate - If you are not willing to go to an activity please inform your chaperon and call your parent to come pick you up. We are not forcing anyone to go to any activity. If you do not wish to participate in youth conference we ask that you not attend youth conference.

Sleeping Arrangements - You will be assigned a dorm room to sleep in. We expect you to sleep in your assigned dorm. We understand people like to get together, talk, play games, etc. We will provide you with plenty of time during the daytime for you to talk and play games with your friends and make new friends. At night we ask that you stay in your dorm room and go to sleep quickly. You are perfectly welcome to arrange a slumber party some other time and have your friends over for an all-night party. Youth Conference is not the time or place for one, however.

Music - Please be aware that one of the quickest ways to break one of the Big 5 is to listen to inappropriate music. For example, music with explicit language or that promotes breaking the law of chastity is a one-way ticket home. Please choose the music you listen to wisely. It should be spiritually uplifting.

Adults

At youth conference you are not there for your personal benefit but rather to be chaperons for the youth. We expect chaperons to be on-duty at all times. 

Youth Escorts - We expect you to actually escort and be with the youth at all times. Youth will not be allowed to return to their dorm room when they should be at activities without you physically escorting them. We ask that this be kept to a bare minimum. Please help the youth be aware of the scheduled times when they can return to the dorms and to take what they need in-between.

Taking Youth Offsite - Do NOT take any youth offsite outside of approved service projects. They may beg and plead but it is not allowed or appropriate. This is also a quick way to break the youth protection policy. 

Youth Protection Policy - Please keep in mind two-deep leadership principles. This includes men and women. One chaperon escorting a youth back to the dorm because they forgot something breaks this rule and should not happen, ever.

Calling Parents to Pick up their Son/Daughter - Please expect that it is reasonably likely for you to have to call a parent. Most of the time it will not be an unexpected phone call. Whenever a youth has to leave please immediately inform a member of your Stake Presidency.

Illness - If a youth is sufficiently unwell that they cannot attend activities then please call their parents to come and pick them up. At no point should a youth "spend a few hours sleeping" because they feel unwell. You are not here as nurses or parents. We are not here to take care of sick youth. They won't have fun, either, being sick and being expected to be at activities. Call their parents and inform a member of your stake presidency that the youth has left with a parent. 

Unwillingness to Participate - If a youth does not want to participate in Youth Conference then please call their parents and have them picked up. They will be a distraction to others and lessen the spirit of Youth Conference. We are not here to persuade or push anyone to participate who does not wish to be there.

Key cards - Only the adults will have key cards that open the outside doors to the dorms. You will have to let in the youth you chaperon. At no time should a youth have or use your access card. 

Music - If they youth break one of the Big 5 by listening to inappropriate music, whether or not anyone else hears the music, send them home. It is inappropriate for Youth Conference and harmful spiritually.

Bed Time - Often the most problematic time is bed time. We expect adult chaperons to be awake and in an area where they are observant of the doors and activity of all of the youth in their dorm. We expect youth to sleep in their assigned dorms. When you are sure that all the youth are asleep then you may go to bed.