CHAPERONE PROTOCOL
Requirements
- All chaperones MUST be 21 years or older, not a participating athlete, assigned by the respective NGB, and listed on a camp roster, as well as acknowledge they’ve read the OPTC handbook.
- SafeSport Training: All adults, defined as those individuals 18 years or older, are REQUIRED to complete the online SafeSport Training prior to checking in to either training center. All adults, including chaperones, may not check into their rooms or interact with athletes until this training has been completed. Training can be found at https://safesporttrained.org/
- Background Check: All adults are required to receive a cleared background check prior to checking in to either training center. It is the responsibility of the respective NGB to submit on the behalf of their assigned chaperone(s) and receive clearance notification for each chaperone prior to the start date of a camp.
- Yearly OPTC Paperwork: All adults are REQUIRED to complete yearly OPTC paperwork prior to checking in to either training center. *Legal guardians will sign on behalf of minors, acknowledging minors have an understanding of OPTC Code of Conduct policies.
- Code of Conduct: All individuals accessing the OPTCs will be responsible for adhering to the Code of Conduct. The complete Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Action, Athlete Safety, and Services Available to Onsite Users can be referenced in the OPTC Handbook, available on the Team USA website: https://www.usopc.org/training-centers. Remember: It is a privilege, not a right, to stay and train at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
Guest and Staffing Policies for Minors: Required adult supervisor/chaperone to minor athlete ratio staying onsite is as follows:
- 12 years – 13 years old = 1 adult per 12 children
- 14 years + = 1 adult per 20 children
- At the discretion of the OPTC, higher or lower ratios may be advisable depending on the age of the participants and the nature of the activity.
Access to Housing
- ONLY Resident Athletes and Onsite Users are allowed to access the housing building.
- Offsite Residents and Facility Users are NOT permitted in the dorm area unless prior approval is granted.
- All visitors accompanied by an athlete must sign in at the front desk. (*COVID-19 community levels may impact whether guests are allowed onsite at any given time.)
- If not a parent or legal guardian of a minor, then visitors of a minor must sign in at the Front Desk and are restricted to visitation in the front lobby.
Room Assignments
- An adult staff member must be housed on the same floor (or in the same building, if the floor is not available) as the program’s minors. The USOPC will not assign individuals of different gender to the same room unless the individuals are (i) a parent/legal guardian and the child of the parent/guardian or (ii) married. Gender neutral rooms will be made available upon request.
Check-In
- Roster: Chaperones should receive a printed roster including room assignments from the Front Desk upon check-in. It is the responsibility of the NGB to assign rooms/roommates on the roster. It is the chaperone’s responsibility to ensure that all athletes are staying in their assigned rooms. The Front Desk will not reassign rooms/roommates (Lake Placid).
- Camp Schedule: It is the responsibility of the NGB to provide camp schedules to the Front Desk (Lake Placid). If there is a change to the camp schedule, please let the Front Desk know as soon as possible so that all OPTC staff are up-to-date on where athletes are at what times.
Departure Day
- Prior to check out on your departure date (or the night before for extremely early departure times), a chaperone and coach MUST do a walk-through of each athletes’ dorm room to confirm that it is left in appropriate check out condition:
- All trash has been put in trashcans, all towels have been placed on top of the sink, all furniture has been put back in place.
- Room is to be left in the condition it was in when you arrived. Please report any damage to rooms to the Front Desk.
CHAPERONE RESPONSIBILITIES
Overseeing Athletes
- Athlete Whereabouts: It is the chaperone’s responsibility to know where athletes are at all times. If an athlete leaves the property for any reason (trip to the grocery store, outings with parents, etc.), please have them check in and out with you before leaving and upon their return.
- Quiet Hours: 10:00pm-7:00am. It is the chaperone’s responsibility to make sure noise levels are appropriate through out the evening and overnight hours. Please let the program Coach know if there are any problems with athletes causing noise disruption after hours.
Room Checks: Chaperones must routinely check rooms of athletes they are overseeing every few days for an appropriate level of cleanliness. Please let the program Coach know if there are any problems with athletes maintaining a clean room. -Chaperones must comply with Athlete Safety rules – keeping the door open and entering with two (2) adults at a time while performing the room check. -Housekeeping will knock and enter rooms once a week regardless of whether a “Privacy Please” sign is on the door.
Athlete Training: Athletes are not permitted in trainings areas or weight room without a coach or chaperone present to supervise.
- Sporting Equipment (basketballs, volleyballs, frisbees, etc.) must be signed out by the coach/chaperone at the Front Desk and returned to the desk when finished. If any mats or gym equipment are moved while in the gym, please ensure that they are returned to their proper location before leaving the gym.
Athlete Sickness / Injury: If any athlete is sick or injured, please let Sports Medicine know as soon as possible so that they can prevent the spread of illness and treat any injuries in a timely manner.
CHAPERONE GUIDELINESVehicle Reservations
- An NGB must request a vehicle rental prior to the start of a camp.
- The designated driver(s) must complete a Vehicle Authorization Form and present a valid U.S. drivers license prior to using vehicle.
- The chaperone/coach must pick-up and drop-off the vehicle(s) keys each day at the Front Desk (Lake Placid).
- Vehicles are to be parked in the designated OPTC Fleet spaces in the front of the training center at the end of each day (Lake Placid).
- It is the responsibility of the NGB to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas at the end of the duration of a camp vehicle reservation.
Meeting Room Reservations: If you would like to reserve a meeting room, please stop by the Front Desk to ensure the room is available by signing up for a time slot.
Office Space & Supplies: Office space is NOT available in Lake Placid. Chaperones may request front desk assistance with printer use supplying their own paper. A camp must also provide their own office supplies, i.e. tape, scissors, stapler, etc.
Storage Space: Due to fire safety code, sporting equipment (i.e. roller skis, skis and poles, equipment travel bags, etc.) may NOT be stored in hallways, outside dorm doors, or in Node stairwells. Chaperones may request access at the front desk to a storage room for this larger team equipment for the duration of their camp.
Sporting Equipment Workspace: Sport-specific equipment workspace (i.e. sanding runners, sharping skis, etc. ) is NOT available in Lake Placid. All work must be done offsite.