Third Party Youth Programs

A third-party youth program or activity is any program involving minors that is not operated by the University of Oregon and takes place on UO property.

This includes programs such as camps, clinics, workshops, or events run by:

  • Non-UO organizations, businesses, or groups.
  • Student organizations that operate independently and are not sponsored by a UO department or ASUO recognized.

What is not a Third-Party Youth Program

  • Events where parents or legal guardians remain present and retain care, custody, and control of minors at all times, such as weddings, receptions, performances, ceremonies, or family-attended activities.
  • Public events open to minors where neither the university nor a third-party organization assumes responsibility for supervision.
  • Academic programs or classes where minors are enrolled students or admitted for enrollment.
  • Employment, internship, or volunteer activities where minors work for the university.
  • Activities involving only incidental contact with minors, where minors are not the focus of the program and are not under organized supervision.
  • Private events such as weddings or birthday parties.

Requirements

Third-party youth programs that take place on university property must meet or exceed Policy IV.05.05 Protection of Minors and Reporting of Child Abuse Requirements and Procedures. 

At a minimum, third-party youth programs are expected to:

  • Register the program with the university.
  • Complete a facility use agreement.
  • Ensure required background checks and training are completed for staff and volunteers.
  • Maintain appropriate insurance coverage.
  • Operate the program in a manner that prioritizes the safety, supervision, and wellbeing of minors.

Additional details provided below:

Registration
All third-party youth programs must participate in program registration. Currently, registration is completed by the sponsoring university department renting or facilitating use of the facility with Risk Management and Insurance. 
Register Your Third-Party Youth Program
Background Checks

Conduct criminal background checks for all staff, volunteers, and chaperones assisting with the program.

Background checks and training must be completed before program activities begin.

Training

Provide training for all staff, volunteers, and chaperones assisting with the program that addresses:

  • Child abuse awareness and steps that should be taken to protect the wellbeing of minors.
  • Appropriate conduct with minors.
  • Mandatory reporting obligations.
Insurance

Third-party youth programs must maintain required insurance coverage as specified in the facility use agreement, including:

  • Commercial general liability insurance
  • Sexual abuse and molestation coverage

Standards of Conduct

All individual working with or supervising minors are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct while on UO property. 

  • Conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner, exhibit good sportsmanship, and be a positive role model for minors.
  • Respect, adhere to, and enforce the rules, policies, and guidelines established by the youth program, this policy, and the university.
  • Endeavor to provide a safe and healthy experience for all participants.
  • Endeavor to avoid private one-on-one situations with a minor.
  • Refrain from engaging in any criminal activity.
  • Refrain from making comments of a sexual nature in the presence of a minor or making sexually explicit materials available to a minor.
  • Comply with all applicable civil rights laws and policies, including and not limited to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies.
  • Not, under any circumstances, physically, sexually, verbally, or emotionally abuse or fail to provide the basic necessities of care applicable to the youth program, such as food or shelter, to participants. 

Supervision and Program Operations

Third-party youth organizations are responsible for day-to-day program operations and must:

  • Ensure appropriate supervision of minors, including during transitions and use of shared campus spaces, based on participant age, number of participants, and the nature of program activities.
  • Establish procedures for checking minors in and out of the program.
  • Maintain emergency and health response procedures appropriate to the age of the participants and nature of the program.
  • Comply with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws while operating on UO property.

Additional Resources

These tools are recommended to support program planning and emergency awareness. 

The University of Oregon does not operate, supervise, or provide oversight of third-party youth programs and does not assume responsibility for the day-to-day management or supervision of minors in those programs.

Questions?

Co-sponsored programs where the university and a non-UO organization are involved require additional review. Contact Risk Management with questions.