Keeping Kids Safe at Surf Skate ScienceAt Surf Skate Science, creating an environment where young people can learn, explore, take healthy risks, and feel safe is one of our most important responsibilities.We are a family-centered homeschool co-op, not a traditional drop-off school or childcare program. That means parents and guardians are an important part of our community and an important part of keeping kids safe.We also recognize that families are trusting our instructors, coaches, facilitators, volunteers, and partners with their children. We take that responsibility seriously.Parents Are Part of the Safety TeamOne of the things that makes Surf Skate Science different is the involvement of our families.Parents are encouraged to stay, participate, observe, help with activities, and be part of the learning experience. Depending on the program, parents may help with labs, setup and cleanup, beach or skatepark supervision, field experiences, and other activities.For younger students—especially K–2—and for students who need additional assistance to participate safely and independently, we require an actively involved parent, guardian, or aide.Having families present creates an additional layer of accountability and reflects what we love about the homeschool co-op model: community, transparency, and families learning together.We Screen Our StaffSurf Skate Science contractors who work with students are required to complete appropriate background screening as part of our child-protection procedures.Screening is renewed as required by our organization, insurance providers, municipalities, facilities, and program partners.Background screening is only one part of child protection, however. Safe programs also require training, clear expectations, appropriate boundaries, supervision, and a culture where concerns can be reported.We Train Our TeamTeam members who work with students receive child-safety expectations and training that includes topics such as:Recognizing inappropriate behavior and potential signs of abuse or groomingMaintaining appropriate adult/student boundariesAvoiding isolated or prolonged one-on-one situationsResponding appropriately when a child shares a concernUnderstanding reporting responsibilitiesMaintaining professional communication with students and familiesCreating safe environments in classrooms, skateparks, beaches, field trips, and other program locationsOur policies are reviewed and updated as our programs grow and as requirements from our insurers, municipalities, facilities, and community partners evolve.We Prioritize VisibilityWhenever possible, interactions between adults and students should happen in open, observable environments.Our policy is designed to avoid situations where an adult is unnecessarily isolated with a student. Classes and coaching should take place where other instructors, families, staff members, or participants can reasonably see or access the activity. We use an open-door and open-visibility approach, and our team is instructed to avoid prolonged one-on-one situations with minors.
There may occasionally be brief situations where an instructor needs to assist a child—for example, an injury, first aid, or a student who is upset. In those circumstances, staff are expected to maintain visibility and involve or notify another responsible adult whenever possible.
Private Lessons, Referrals & Activities Outside Surf Skate ScienceOur child-protection policies apply to activities that are organized, operated, or supervised by Surf Skate Science.
From time to time, we may share the names of coaches, independent instructors, surf schools, skate coaches, local businesses, or other community resources that families may wish to contact for private lessons or additional services. A referral or recommendation does not mean that the activity is a Surf Skate Science program or that Surf Skate Science is supervising that relationship.
When a parent or guardian independently hires an instructor, coach, babysitter, tutor, business, or other service provider outside of a Surf Skate Science program, that arrangement is between the family and the individual or business.
We strongly encourage families to use the same child-safety precautions outside our programs that we use within them.Before hiring anyone to work independently with your child, we encourage you to:Ask whether the individual or business conducts background screening.Ask about their child-protection and abuse-prevention policies.Ask what training their staff or coaches receive.Understand how one-on-one lessons are supervised.Keep lessons and interactions in open, observable locations whenever possible.Avoid situations where a child is unnecessarily isolated with an adult.Stay nearby, observe lessons, or arrange for another trusted adult to be present.Talk with your child about personal boundaries and let them know they can always tell you if something makes them uncomfortable.This is especially important with private surf lessons, skateboarding lessons, tutoring, transportation, babysitting, or other one-on-one services, even when the adult is someone your family knows through the Surf Skate Science community.A coach or instructor's affiliation with Surf Skate Science does not extend our supervision, insurance, policies, or responsibility to independently arranged activities outside Surf Skate Science programming.A trusted community is safest when parents continue asking questions, staying involved, and maintaining appropriate safeguards wherever their children learn and play.We Maintain Clear Adult–Student BoundariesOur child-protection expectations extend beyond class time. Staff and volunteers should not independently arrange private meetings with students outside Surf Skate Science activities without the knowledge and involvement of a parent or guardian.We also maintain expectations around appropriate communication, transportation, physical contact, favoritism, gifts, and other behaviors that could blur the line between a professional youth-serving relationship and a private personal relationship.Private lessons, tutoring, babysitting, transportation, or other arrangements made independently between families and individuals are not automatically considered Surf Skate Science activities simply because that individual also works with our organization or the are utilizing our facility for a lesson organized by a parent or guardian. We encourage parents to stay involved and present.We Take Concerns SeriouslyChildren should know that they can speak up if something makes them uncomfortable.Parents should feel the same way.Our team is instructed to report inappropriate behavior, boundary concerns, suspected abuse, neglect, or other child-safety concerns promptly.When a child discloses a concern, staff are trained to:Listen. Take the child seriously. Avoid leading questions. Never promise secrecy. Document what was shared accurately. Report the concern through the appropriate channels.Staff members are not expected to conduct their own investigation.When required by law, suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported to the appropriate authorities. Organizational permission is never a substitute for or barrier to a legally required report.Safety Includes the Environment TooChild protection also means creating activities that are physically appropriate for the environment.Because our classrooms may include beaches, skateparks, waterways, laboratories, museums, and community spaces, our safety procedures also address things such as equipment, weather, water conditions, protective gear, first aid, field-trip procedures, facility rules, and student readiness. Parents are present to supervise but we want to be that additional set of eyes. There may be time we will decide not to get in the water for safety reasons.
Surf Science participants must be good swimmers and Skate Science students are expected to use appropriate protective equipment and footwear. Parents are ultimately in charge of making sure your child is prepared and ready to participate.We encourage students to challenge themselves, but students are never forced to participate in an activity they are uncomfortable attempting.A Community ResponsibilityNo policy can replace attentive adults and a healthy organizational culture.We want Surf Skate Science to be a place where instructors know families, parents feel welcome to observe, students feel comfortable speaking up, and adults understand that protecting young people is everyone's responsibility.If you ever see something that concerns you—even if you aren't sure whether it rises to the level of a formal complaint—we encourage you to bring it to our attention.See something. Say something. Ask questions. Stay involved.That partnership between families and our team is one of the strongest safeguards we can give our kids.Questions or Concerns?Families with questions about our child-protection practices or a concern involving a Surf Skate Science program may contact our leadership team at any time.For an immediate emergency, contact 911.Surf Skate Science periodically reviews and updates its child-protection procedures to reflect current legal requirements, insurance requirements, facility policies, and recognized youth-safety practices.
