As an organization that provides programs and events for youth, the commitment to safety is a top priority for Destination Imagination (DI) and we strive to provide every team member with the safest possible experience. Destination Imagination has developed and implemented a Youth Protection Policy to provide all Destination Imagination participants, Team Managers, Appraisers, Challenge Masters, Affiliate Directors, Regional Directors, employees, parents and guardians of team members, and others working with Destination Imagination with knowledge, policies, procedures, and guidelines to create safe experiences for everyone participating in Destination Imagination programming and events.
The Destination Imagination Youth Protection Policies & Procedures (DI-YPPP) establishes the minimum standards of safety recommended for all Destination Imagination activities, including team meetings, training classes for students, DI Regional, Affiliate and Global Finals Tournaments, and activities outside of tournaments. Adults working and volunteering for any Destination Imagination programs must understand, acknowledge and follow the standards set by Destination Imagination. All DI volunteers are also expected to understand the standards set by the school or organization hosting or sponsoring their team or tournament.
The DI-YPPP is designed to educate DI participants, parents and volunteers about child abuse, bullying, and hazing; the damage that those situations can cause; set standards that will help prevent child abuse, bullying and hazing; and provide resources, guidelines, policies, and procedures that can significantly reduce the chances of injury.
The following foundational guidelines, working in concert, will help ensure that DI participants have a safe learning experience:
- Each team is required to have at least one adult Team Manager who attends and supervises the team’s activities, has read this document, and has completed the required DI-YPPP training and background check. It is strongly recommended that each team have at least two adults attend and supervise the team’s activities and who have read this document and completed the required DI-YPPP training and background check .
- Team Managers, team members, and team parents discuss the Destination Imagination Youth Protection Policy and Procedure and any associated training in age-appropriate terms and agree to follow it.
- Team Managers, team members, and team parents understand appropriate guidelines and behaviors as explained in this document and know what to do if the DI-YPPP is not followed.
Please note that Destination Imagination staff and our Board of Trustees will annually review this policy and update it as needed, including the definition of prohibited behaviors.
