Chaperone

Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Program

Chaperone

Role Description for 4-H Exploration Days

Purpose:

To assist with providing a safe, nurturing environment in which youth participants can participate fully in a pre-college experience.

Time Required:

Arrive on site before the first youth in the delegation is expected to arrive, no later than 8 am if delegation isn’t come all together, and remain on site until the last youth has been picked up or until excused by the lead chaperone
Successfully complete all training prior to event including 4-H Chaperone Module in Volunteer Central
Participate in Country Orientation Requirements
County may have additional time requirements based on delegation needs.

Qualifications:

A willingness to become familiar with and work within the philosophy and guidelines of the MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
The ability to organize information and make decisions.
A sincere interest in working with youth, other volunteers and professional staff in an educational setting.
If a volunteer, must complete the MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process, be accepted, enrolled in 4-HOnline, and in the Active Gold Volunteer Central activity status.
Must complete 4-H Exploration Days Volunteer Orientation and 4-H Chaperone Training
May be MSU Extension staff member with approval from Supervisor.

Responsibilities:

Provide direction, encouragement and support to all assigned youth within your county delegation during 4-H Exploration Days.
Answer basic questions and provide assistance to participants, chaperones, volunteers, parents and staff during event
Assist with check in and check out procedures with direction from the county Lead Chaperone.
When chaperones are not on the assigned housing floor, they are expected to post a notice on their door informing the youth they are chaperoning where they can be easily found and send notice to the youth they are chaperoning through any additional methods that the county is using for communication (example: text messages, Remind, GroupMe).
Conduct nightly room checks in coordination with Lead Chaperone.
Work with county staff member or Lead Chaperone (when county staff are not present at event) for any behavior needs.
Ensure youth participants are finding sessions, meals, and other activities at the event they are interested in.
Conduct five youth and chaperone huddles throughout the event to your specific chaperone group up to eight youth. These mandatory meetings will give you a chance to touch base with youth after sessions, before and after evening activities, before bedtime, and just before check-out and departure.
Chaperones may take sessions and lead sessions. If the chaperone would be unavailable in case of emergency, they need to work with their county staff person or Lead Chaperone to identify who will be “on-call” for matters that may arise.
Serve as a session support for at least one session, if not serving as a session instructor. (See session support position description)
During free time or during any non-session times, provide supervision and encouragement to participants and sign up to assist with free time support roles
Be present for and assist the Lead Chaperone, as needed, with the following meetings during the event:

County orientation at the event
Any specific check-in times between participants and chaperones

Touch base with the Lead Chaperone to share any questions or concerns participants encountered while checking in/checking out or throughout the event.
Follow all event safety protocol as outlined in training and orientation.

Benefits:

Event cost will be reduced to $130
Experience the satisfaction of contributing to the positive growth of youth
Grow personal leadership and communication skills
Gain respect and gratitude of members, volunteers, parents, and the community
Recognition for your contributions

Boundaries and Parameters:

Agree to stay on site (grounds of Michigan State University) at all times while participating in 4-H Exploration Days; unless responsibilities of position are taking them off site.

Agree to abide by the code of conduct while participating in 4-H Exploration Days.
Understand that the first priority is to complete tasks associated with the role as Chaperone, therefore, full attendance at sessions may not be possible unless assigned a session support role. If the chaperone would be unavailable in case of emergency, they need to work with their county staff person and Lead Chaperone to be “on-call” for matters that may arise.

Michigan 4-H Staff agree to:

Provide training opportunities that will help the volunteer fulfill his/her responsibilities as a 4-H Chaperone
Have professionals available to listen to volunteers' ideas to help improve the 4-H program
The 4-H Exploration Days Leadership Team will recognize volunteers at the event level. Local counties may choose additional methods of recognition and acknowledgment, as well.