Youth Volunteers

YOUTH ACTIVITIES POLICY

We want to ensure that every person is safe and has a great experience when volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.  The following policies are enforced to protect volunteers under 18 years of age from activities that may be inappropriate or dangerous.

YOUTH AGES 12-13
Youth ages 12-13 are not permitted unless specific, age-appropriate activities are planned in advance. The age-appropriate activities will be performed under appropriate supervision and in designated safe areas, away from any potential hazards. Specific activities permitted by Habitat for Humanity Cape May County: 
  •  Register volunteers at the information table
  •  Help provide food for volunteers
  •  Help with house dedications (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)

YOUTH AGES 14-15
Activities permissible for youth ages 14-15 include:
  • Build mailboxes or flower boxes for a Habitat house.
  • Paint baseboards or door frames off-site before the items are put into the house. 
  • Perform clean-up work (e.g. help with the cleaning of a house before the new homeowners move in). 
  • Plant flowers around a new Habitat home. 
  • Provide food for volunteers. • Help with house dedications. 
  • Baby-sit for volunteers or partner families so that they can complete their sweat equity hours. 
  • Participate in limited activities involving clearing lots/clean up, painting, office & clerical work and landscaping. 
Activities prohibited for youth ages 14-15:
  • Be present on an active construction site or perform general construction or repair work. 
  • Engage in any Designated Hazardous Activities.  
  • Engage in activities where the youth could be exposed to asbestos or lead paint hazards. 
  • Load or unload goods on or off trucks or conveyors.
  • Operate Power-Driven Machinery.  
  • Work from windowsills.
  • Work from ladders, scaffolds, or their substitutes. 

YOUTH AGES 16-17 
Activities permissible for youth ages 16-17 include:
  • Engage in any activities listed above for youth ages 14-15.
  • Be present on an active construction site and perform general construction or repair work.
  • Load or unload goods from trucks or conveyors.
  • Operate power-driven machinery such as lawn movers, but not items designated as hazardous by the U.S. Secretary of Labor, such as saws, wood chippers, woodworking machines or shearing machines. 
  • Paint baseboards or door frames, whether on-site or off-site. 
Activities prohibited for youth ages 14-15:
  • As noted above, operate Power-Driven Machinery designated as hazardous by the U.S. Secretary of Labor, such as saws, wood chippers, woodworking machines, or shearing machines.
  • Participate in any activities involving motor vehicles, demolition, roofing operations and excavation operations. 
  • Engage in activities where the youth could be exposed to asbestos or lead paint hazards. 
  • Engage in any Designated Hazardous Activities. 

ANY VOLUNTEER UNDER 18 YEARS OLD must have a Habitat for Humanity Release and Waiver of Liability signed by their parent or guardian with a witness present at the time of registration.  If the parent or guardian is not accompanying the minor, a parental authorization form (page 5 of the Release and Waiver) must be signed and notarized in advance and presented at registration.
Habitat CM Youth Policy
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Habitat CM Volunteer Waiver Form
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