VCU Safety and Protection of Minors Policy update

April 16, 2020 by Jenny Pedraza

All VCU camp-related in-person activities for minors are suspended until July 6, and all summer 2020 residential camps are canceled.

In an effort to be adaptable to the everchanging COVID-19 crisis and its impacts on our day-to-day lives as well as VCU’s operations, camp-related in-person activities for minors are suspended until July 6 and all summer 2020 residential camps are canceled. Existing online activities for minors may continue as scheduled. The Mary and Frances Youth Center will reevaluate dates and timelines associated with the VCU Safety and Protection of Minors Policy no later than May 29, 2020. Updates will be made available via the Center for Community Engagement and Impact website at community.vcu.edu.

Departments and programs considering converting their in-person campus to an online offering should consider the following:

Programs must register no later than 30 days prior to the first scheduled date o participation by minors, including completing required training, background checks and other compliance components. More information is available online at community.vcu.edu/mfyc/youth-safety/.
All policy requirements and expectations apply whether activities are in-person or remote, including one-on-one interactions.
Departments or programs will assume all expenses associated with an in-person to online camp program conversion. Additionally, VCU resources may not be available to support camp conversions as resources are currently prioritized to student-faculty support.
Deans must approve conversion expenses prior to expenditure to ensure fiscal compliance.
Online offerings must meet all current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design requirements.

Questions can be sent to Rachel Rhoney at youth@vcu.edu or review the MFYC Safety and Protection of Minors Policy page.