Code of Conduct with Youth


Adopted June 2026 (download as pdf)

This Code of Conduct applies to all staff, volunteers, judges, chaperones, mentors, and any other adult interacting with youth through Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) or Kentucky Junior Academy of Science (KJAS) programs and events. It should be read alongside the KAS Code of Ethics, which is incorporated by reference. The KAS Code of Ethics also references this Code of Conduct for standards specific to interactions with youth.

All adults and minors involved with Kentucky Academy of Science and Kentucky Junior Academy of Science programs are expected to respect each other's boundaries and engage in healthy and positive interactions. The expectations and rules listed below are designed to ensure healthy boundaries and appropriate interactions between adults and youth.

Staff and volunteers are not permitted to have private interactions or be involved in one-on-one situations with youth that cannot be easily viewed or interrupted by others.

Never put yourself or another volunteer in a position where the nature of an interaction with a youth cannot be witnessed or verified by another adult.

Kentucky Academy of Science encourages group situations where multiple adults are available to supervise youth. If a situation arises where only one adult is available to supervise, two or more youth should be present. Isolated one adult/one youth situations should be avoided.

Sometimes a genuine mentoring relationship will develop between a youth and an adult, and this is encouraged. These relationships can be healthy and transformative, so it is essential that adults ensure one-on-one interactions are structured to protect the youth and the adult. For example, a youth and adult can have a confidential conversation on the other side of a gym, on a front porch, or sitting in an office with windows that are not blocked.

Virtual one-on-one interactions between an adult and a youth under age 18 are prohibited. All virtual meetings must either include a second adult such as a teacher, or the youth's parent or guardian must be present in the same room as the minor for the duration of the meeting. This applies to all platforms including Zoom, phone calls, and video calls. This requirement is consistent with the KAS Mentor Match Program guidelines.

All physical contact between a youth and an adult must be initiated by the youth, should be brief, and take place in view of other adults. This includes physical interactions initiated by the youth, such as embracing in a hug. Adults are encouraged to use side hugs, high fives, or fist bumps as forms of appropriate contact.

Touch should always be appropriate, public, and non-sexual. Most importantly, touch and physical interactions must be consensual and appropriate for the age of the youth. Types of physical contact to be avoided include (but are not limited to):

  • Tickling

  • Roughhousing or wrestling

  • Piggyback or shoulder rides

  • Any type of massage

  • Back scratching

  • Any unwanted affection

  • Comments referring to physique or body development

Staff and volunteers will never use physical discipline with youth. No adult will inflict any physical or emotional abuse, such as striking, spanking, shaking, slapping, humiliating, ridiculing, threatening, or degrading youth with words or gestures.

Staff and volunteers are expected to use positive guidance techniques, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement. Adults and volunteers should share incidents with each other in real time and document details in a text message to the Executive Director when appropriate.

When a youth is expressing behaviors that are verbally aggressive or physically threatening, the adult will never mirror these behaviors. Adults may need to adjust the tone of their voice briefly to direct the youth to a cool-down area, but physical force or touch will never be used when a youth is escalated or having difficulty regulating their emotions.

Adult mentors and volunteers are expected to be mindful of the impact of their communications. Communication includes body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and the choice of words in written or verbal expression. Adults must use kind and compassionate communication, even when expressing their own feelings. Adults are expected to model healthy conflict resolution, including apologizing and seeking to restore trust and confidence in relationships.

Private one-on-one communication with a youth through social media, computers, mobile phones, or other electronic devices is strictly prohibited. Staff or volunteers will include the Executive Director or the youth's parent or guardian on any electronic communication with a youth under age 18, including emails and text messages. Staff and volunteers will not communicate with any Kentucky Junior Academy of Science participant via social media.

Regarding social networking sites that require connection requests (e.g., friend requests on Instagram, follow requests on TikTok), adults will never initiate such connections with youth. If a youth initiates such a request, the adult must politely decline, as such connections are discouraged.

Staff and volunteers will not give gifts or special favors to individual youth or show preferential treatment to a youth or group of youth to the exclusion of others.

Staff may be responsible for distributing prescription medications to youth only after written permission from the parent or guardian has been provided. Medication distribution will be recorded on the appropriate document using the youth's initials as the identifier.

Profanity, inappropriate sexual jokes, and sharing intimate details of one's personal life in the presence of youth are strictly prohibited.

Adults must be intentional and mindful of their language and topics of conversation with youth of all ages. Adults must monitor their self-disclosure to ensure it benefits the youth, is age-appropriate, and maintains clear boundaries. This includes avoiding sharing information about one's own sexual activity, substance use, or other personal matters inappropriate for youth. Adults must never encourage or condone illegal or unsafe activities.

All adults are expected to support one another and hold each other accountable to ensure adherence to this Code of Conduct and the KAS Code of Ethics. If you witness a possible violation, speak up when it is safe to do so. If you are unable to address it in the moment, report your concern to the KAS Executive Director. If the concern involves the Executive Director, contact the President of the KAS Governing Board. Any suspicion of child abuse or neglect must be reported in accordance with the KAS Child Abuse and Neglect Policy and Reporting Procedure. Under Kentucky law, all adults are mandated reporters and may not shift or delegate this responsibility to anyone else.

I have read and understand this Code of Conduct. I agree to abide by the expectations and rules described above and understand that I may be removed as a staff member or volunteer working with Kentucky Academy of Science and/or Kentucky Junior Academy of Science if I violate any of these expectations or rules.

Name (print): ___________________________________________________

Role: __________________________________________________________

Organization/Affiliation (if applicable): _____________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________________________