ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** -----Original Message----- From: Parrucci, Lynn [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 2:14 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Policies on young visitors without adults ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ************************************************************************ ***** When Carnegie Science Center was in the process of reviewing these policies, I interviewed the local Children and Youth Services office in the Department of Public Welfare. I was in the process of addressing parent complaints about our policy that children under 12 be supervised by an adult. I don't know if this changes from state to state, but they were adamantly in support of us. They said that CYS guidelines are that "no child under the age of 12 should be left unattended either at home or in public places." It is their belief that if emergencies happen, children may not be equipped to deal with it at younger ages. I have also had CYS take custody of an employee's 11-year-old child who was staying home while the parent worked. When contacting and talking with such parents, we felt more comfortable referencing CYS guidelines and discussing our concern for attending to them in an emergency without appropriate adult supervision. We would say that every child's safety is our highest priority. We would add that we do have opportunities, such as camps and workshops where kids we could provide supervision - for these programs we have appropriate health forms and emergency contact information on file. Lynn Parrucci Director of Education-Group Programs Philadelphia Zoo 3400 Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19083 Phone: 215-243-5243 Fax: 215-243-5385 Email: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Shane Pickett Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 5:38 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Policies on young visitors without adults ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ************************************************************************ ***** With summer approaching, we are reviewing a situation that occurs sometimes that always gives us pause, and we'd like to hear how other institutions handle this. It's closing time, and we have a 9 and a 10 year old kid still in the building, frantically calling people for a ride, hoping someone will arrive sooner or later. We've never had to go this far, but at what point does a responsible staff person consider this child abandonment, and call the police? Another situation-if a parent sneaks/runs out the entrance after getting their young kids in the center, do we shrug our shoulders, and figure their parent will return? We have a policy that children must be attended by their adults, but what does that signify to an adult set on dropping their kids off unchaperoned for 4 hours? Thank you for any advice or perspective on this! Shane Pickett Science Central *********************************************************************** More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask] *********************************************************************** More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask] *********************************************************************** More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]