4-H Exploration Days Code of Conduct

4-H Exploration Days

Positive behavior is a key expectation for youth and adults participating in state-sponsored 4‑H activities – behavior that reflects trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. All participants are expected to follow the event guidelines:

    • Theft, vandalism, the use of illegal drugs and alcohol, leaving campus (except for session field trips) and other such offenses are strictly prohibited. Anyone involved with these offenses will immediately be sent home at his or her own expense. Those engaged in illegal activities will be turned over to the proper authorities. Repair costs for damages incurred to property will be billed to those responsible.
    • Behaviors for which participants may be sent home are inappropriate sexual behavior and behavior that violates the rights of others, particularly when the behavior is disrespectful as regards a person’s appearance, race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Disciplinary action will vary based on the degree of the offense and will be determined by the 4‑H staff in charge of the program.
    • Youth participants are not permitted to use tobacco in any form. Adult use is discouraged.
    • Housing areas are set up as all female and all male. Participants are not permitted in the housing areas assigned to members of the opposite sex (bathrooms, floors and rooms). The only exception is brief delegation meetings arranged by 4‑H staff.
    • All youth and adult participants are to wear their conference lanyards and name badges around their necks at all times (except when sleeping, bathing and swimming, of course). Name badges are used for admission to event activities.
    • Participants are responsible for their own belongings. Valuables, such as expensive jewelry and electronic devices, should be left at home.
    • Participants should dress casually, but neatly and respectably. Unacceptable attire includes clothing that: 
      - Exposes undergarments or excessively exposes the body (such as cropped, low-cut or extremely tight shirts, tube tops, short shorts, excessively baggy or extreme low-rise pants).
      - Conveys a violent, offensive, obscene message or image.
      - Promotes use of an illegal substance.
      Swimsuits are to be worn only for swimming and not as regular clothing. If wearing your swimsuit to and from the pool, it should be covered by an over-garment or cover-up. (Boys’ swim trunks are an exception.) Shirt and shoes must be worn at all times except at the pool or in the privacy of your housing room.
    • Attend all the sessions for which you are registered. Attendance will be taken and reported back to the county conference assistant (CCA).
    • Select from and participate in a variety of afternoon and evening programs and leisure activities.
    • Attend all county or floor meetings.
    • Inform your assigned chaperone of your whereabouts.
    • Observe the 11 p.m. curfew on your residence hall floor. County conference assistants and chaperones will do a bed check each night to account for each participant. Everyone should be quiet within his or her assigned room by midnight.
    • Stay in your assigned room once assignments have been made and keys issued. Unapproved changes make it difficult to contact you in emergencies and at bed check time.
    • Understand that a fee will be assessed to participants with lost keys.
    • Refrain from yelling out of windows or removing window screens and leaning out of windows or sitting on window ledges. Blinds are to be closed when dressing and after dark.
    • Refrain from running in residence halls and classroom hallways.
    • Understand that use of roller skates and in-line skates (Rollerblades), non-motorized scooters, skateboards and similar devices is allowed at your own risk. Use of these devices is restricted to sidewalks. Users may not use bike paths, parking ramps, buildings, gardens or any other posted area, or go on any roadway except while crossing a street within a crosswalk.

    MSU Extension staff, county conference assistants and chaperones are responsible for enforcing the rules as stated. Violators who are asked to leave will be sent home at their own expense. These rules are not subject to interpretation and each group is expected to follow them without exception. Our primary consideration is to provide a safe, secure environment for all participants.

    I agree to abide by this code of conduct.

    ______________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________

    Participant’s signature (ALL youth and adults attending the event must sign)

    I expect my child to abide by this code of conduct.

    ______________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________

    Parent or legal guardian’s signature (needed only for youth under age 18)

    Each participant, along with a parent or guardian, must attend a pre-event county orientation meeting. Your county 4‑H staff can provide you with the date, time and location of this important meeting.

    Contact

    For more information on 4-H Exploration Days, contact:

    Phone: 517-432-7613 
    Fax: 517-355-6748
    Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Judy Ratkos, Senior Program Leader
    4-H Youth Development
    MSU Extension - Children and Youth Institute
    Michigan State University
    160 Agriculture Hall
    East Lansing, MI  48824-1039

    4-H Youth Development | Agriculture Hall | 446 W. Circle Drive Room 160 | East Lansing, MI, 48824 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)