<p>I am quad-chaperoning an after prom party this weekend for 24 teenagers. They have rented a lake house nearby. On Sunday, one of the moms will be bringing her boat so that the kids may tube, wake-board, etc. The mom will be driving the boat--no kids will be driving. We are sending out a list of ground rules for the evening and planning on having the parent and child sign an agreement form to this. We have no problem in calling a parent if problems arise. :) However, I do have several questions/concerns:</p>
<p>*what type of release form should we have the parents sign for this? I have googled after prom party release forms but most are on school based websites. I haven't been able to find a release form for a private party. </p>
<p>*since the party is at a rental home what about our responsibility as chaperones for the kids that are 17 or 18?</p>
<p>If anyone has a sample template and/or any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I am beginning to get an uh-uh feeling in the pit of my stomach. :)</p>
<p>I don’t know about the releases. I would suggest that you have clear agreements with the other chaperones. Little ones such as whose allowed to use the beds and how many in a bed. Or can a male and female use the same sleeping bags. </p>
<p>We had 40 over until 3 a.m. No big issues. One couple arrived late and look like they had been busy in their car and may have been drinking --could not really figure it out. Otherwise, everyone was fine. They actually surprised me as they did not eat much.</p>
<p>If the kids are over 18 it doesn’t make sense for their parents to sign anything. At age 18 the kids are legally responsible for their own actions.</p>
<p>Personally, I would never agree to something like this but I hope it is fun for you and the kids.</p>
<p>“If the kids are over 18 it doesn’t make sense for their parents to sign anything. At age 18 the kids are legally responsible for their own actions.”</p>
<p>If the 18-year-old gets injured at the party, or experiences an alcohol-related emergency, the parent could still sue.</p>
<p>Mini or another – do you think it matters who rented the lake house? I’m wondering whether the 4 chaperones (OP is one) have equal or greater liability than the one who rented the house or owns the boat. </p>
<p>Gah, my lawyer brother has to go on vacation when all the juicy questions come up. So I can’t ask him. He’s on a boat right now, with his girlfriend and no chaperone!!</p>
<p>It’s different in different states, and different locales. (In some places, the owner of the rental may have some legal responsibility as well.)</p>
<p>I am not a lawyer but I simply do not understand how one adult could bring a suit against someone for an injury to another adult. At any rate I would be wary of assuming responsibility for a rental that was to be used by a group of young adults. If they damage the property the person that rented the house will be held responsible for any damage to the house. Since the majority of the party goers are going to be 18 most of them have little in assets to cover any damage and their parents are not legally responsible for paying for any damage that they do.</p>
<p>I hope that I am just being a worrier though and that the OP has fun and the party is uneventful.</p>
<p>Might be wise to check backpacks/bags when they arrive, with their prior agreement, of course. Also, be aware of the “water bottles”. Just saying’…</p>
<p>Can put the “right to search bags” in the Alcohol Rules mentioned above.</p>
<p>LOL, Rodney. No tic, but I did limp for a while after smashing my foot on the sidewalk the following morning…</p>
<p>Yes, “water” bottles can contain vodka, kids can bring spare sets of keys and retreive stuff from the car (take and label all keys when they arrive), etc etc. Its all discussed in my linked thread in post #10. OP, please read it. You’ll laugh out loud (as I chronicled the evening as it unfolded), but get a lot of good pointers along the way.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestions and comments.
Proudpatriot and Mini: We do understand that being 18 that they are legally responsible for themselves. My thinking is if the parents are aware of our expections, etc. and we ask them to talk to their kids about them, then maybe we will not have to call the 18 yr olds parents to come and get them if they do not follow our rules. Honestly, I never thought I would be doing this either but that’s another story for another day.</p>
<p>ILoveLA: Thanks for the link to the release! </p>
<p>paying3tuitions: What the heck? Why did your lawyer brother have to be gone NOW and with NO chaperone for goodness sake. lol. Just curious–what is OP stand for in your comment?</p>
<p>Proudpatriot: I too am a worrier and trying to cover all basis before. Also, there is a security deposit that has been taken care of for excessive damage should there be any—and there better not be or there will be some very unhappy kids and parents. </p>
<p>jym626: I began reading some of your posts this morning! Thanks for all of your advice and suggestions! </p>
<p>We are already aware of water bottles, backpacks, car keys, etc.
Thanks everyone! Any other things you might have remembered?</p>
<p>I would get a release from parents to allow you to get medical help if needed. Lots of things could go wrong where the kid will need a visit to the emergency room and without a signed consent the kid will have to wait (unless it’s life threatening) until a legal guardian arrives.</p>
<p>I travel with kids all the time (just got back from Jamaica) and find most of my nightmares are unfounded. Just the idea that they are having an adult accompany them says something positive about the kids who will be there; most post-prom events do not include adults!</p>