Vacation Bible School Safety Waiver and Event Handbook

1. The Exodus Projects
Vacation Bible School
2022 Safety Waiver and Event Handbook
The Exodus Projects Purpose Statement:
Restore: We lovingly restore broken individuals and their relationships to the
church by sharing the gospel, serving communities, and partnering with local
organizations, churches and governments to best serve those around us.
Build: We faithfully build believers to become disciples in their communities
through biblical education, meaningful worship, holistic life development and
practical life skills development.
Send: We prayerfully send out disciples who advance the work of Christ by
planting churches and becoming urban missionaries within our own
communities, locally, nationally and internationally.
The Exodus Projects Staff:

2. Corey Buchanan, Founder and President
Nikki Nyhanna, Program Director
Kimberly Williams, After School Supervisor
Jermaine Cherry, Youth Leader
Contact Information:
The Exodus Projects
25353 State Street
Unit D
Crete Il 60417
708-414-0527
www.theexodusprojects.com
theexodusprojects@gmail.com
General Information:
Program Schedule
Monday, July 11 - Thursday, July 14
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Covid-19 Information:
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where
people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead
to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions
are especially vulnerable. The Exodus Projects and First Reformed Church
cannot prevent you or your student(s) from becoming exposed to, contracting,
or spreading COVID-19 while participating in programming. Therefore, if you

3. choose to participate in an Exodus Projects program or event, you may be
exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading
COVID-19. BY ATTENDING OR PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM, YOU
VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO COVID-19
AND FOREVER RELEASE AND HOLD THE EXODUS PROJECTS AND FIRST
REFORMED CHURCH AND EACH OF THEIR EMPLOYEES OR OTHER
REPRESENTATIVES FROM ANY LIABILITY OR CLAIMS INCLUDING FOR PERSONAL
INJURIES, DEATH, DISEASE OR PROPERTY LOSSES, OR ANY OTHER LOSS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLAIMS OF NEGLIGENCE AND GIVE UP ANY
CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE TO SEEK DAMAGES, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN,
FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, IN CONNECTION WITH EXPOSURE, INFECTION,
AND/OR SPREAD OF COVID-19 RELATED TO PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM.
PERSONAL ITEMS AT VBS:
The instructional process is often delayed or interrupted when students bring
personal items to school. This practice should be restricted to staff-directed
items such as "show and tell" materials and special projects. Items such as, but
not restricted to: cell phones, pagers, radios, audio/video players, electronic
games, tablets, toys, etc. are not allowed to be used during school hours. The
Exodus Projects and First Reformed Church assumes no responsibility for the
safekeeping of personal items such as these.
HARASSMENT/BULLYING:
It is the policy of The Exodus Projects to maintain a learning environment that is
free from harassment based on age, sex, race, color, religion, handicapping
conditions or national origin. Students who harass and/or bully or harm other
students or staff members may be subject to release from the program.
(a) Definition: “Bullying” is defined as overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures,
including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any
manner (including digitally or electronically); physical acts committed;
aggression; or any other behaviors committed by a student or group of
students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate,
intimidate, or harm the targeted student, creating for the targeted student an
objectively hostile school environment that: 1) places the targeted student in
reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or property; 2) has a substantially
detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health; 3) has
the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s academic
performance; or 4) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted
student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or
privileges provided by the program. The Exodus Projects prohibits bullying in all
forms. This policy may be applied regardless of the physical location in which
the bullying behavior occurred, whenever the individual committing the bullying
behavior and any of the intended targets of the bullying behavior are students
attending the After School Program and disciplinary action is reasonably

4. necessary to avoid substantial interference with discipline or prevent an
unreasonable threat to the rights of others to a safe and peaceful learning
environment.
(b) Reporting: Anyone who believes that a student has possibly been or is the
victim of bullying is encouraged to immediately report the situation to an
appropriate staff member. All staff and volunteers who observe or receive a
report of suspected bullying shall notify a senior staff member of the situation.
Bullying reports to the Department of Child Services and/or law enforcement
must be made as required by law, such as when a staff member believes that a
student is the victim of abuse or neglect. Any person who makes a report of
bullying and requests to remain anonymous will not be personally identified as
the reporter or complainant to extent permitted by law.
(c) Investigation: Once a report of suspected bullying is received by the
designated staff member, an expedited investigation shall follow. The
investigation should be facilitated by The Exodus Projects senior staff, in
partnership with Faith and Action senior staff. If a report of suspected bullying
is substantiated through an investigation, then staff shall take appropriate
intervention and responses as consistent with policy and procedure. Staff will
take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to stop the bullying,
remedy the bullying, and prevent the bullying from recurring. Interventions and
responses include but are not limited to: separating the bully and the target
and prompt disciplinary action against the bully. Disciplinary actions against
the bully may include expulsion. (h) Parent/Guardian Involvement:
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to be involved in the process of minimizing
bullying. Parents/Guardians should report suspected acts of bullying to an
appropriate staff member. In addition, parents/guardians of students
suspected of bullying will be notified with a phone call or through other
appropriate means of communication. Conversely, parents/guardians of
students suspected of being the target of acts of bullying will also be notified
with a phone call or through other means of appropriate communication.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR:
All Vacation Bible School students are expected to conduct themselves in an
orderly, civil manner at all times. Students will not be allowed to disrupt the
environment of learning for their peers. Any habitual or insubordination
problems will be dealt with and the parents will be contacted to achieve a
cooperative resolution of the problems.
Unacceptable Language, Acts and Gestures, or Harassment:
The use or possession of profane or obscene materials, acts, gestures, or
language which could or do create a nuisance is strictly prohibited. Physical or
verbal harassment of other students is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
Threats and intimidation of another student for any reason will not be

5. permitted. Students are encouraged to seek help from The Exodus Projects staff
to resolve conflicts.
Fighting:
Fighting within the Vacation Bible School building (First Reformed Church) or
on the, and in route to and from the program and at program-sponsored
activities is prohibited. Individuals who promote and instigate fights are
subject to the same corrective actions as the participants.
HEALTH INFORMATION:
No nurse or other health services are available on site during Vacation Bible
School hours. As such, The Exodus Projects and First Reformed Church cannot
take responsibility for health concerns above and beyond basic first aid
situations. The program attempts to provide an environment in which the
student will be safe from accidents. If an accident occurs, first aid will be
administered, and parents/guardians will be notified at the staff members
discretion. No care beyond first aid, defined as the immediate, temporary care
given in the case of an accident or sudden illness, will be given by any staff
member or other authorized person. It is extremely important that parents keep
the program informed concerning emergency telephone numbers which will
enable the staff to reach them in emergency situations.
Medication cannot be administered to a student while in the care of The
Exodus Projects and First Reformed Church, with no exceptions.
Food and Environmental Allergies:
As food is served daily on the grounds ofVacation Bible School, it is necessary
that parents/guardians make staff and volunteers aware of any food allergies
their student may have. If the daily meal and/or snack contains ingredients
that are not safe for the allergic student, an allergy friendly safe alternative will
be supplied. If a parent/guardian would prefer to send their student in with
their own food, that student then assumes responsibility for that food and the
protection against potential contamination. The same applies to any
environmental allergies. Parent’/guardians must make The Exodus Projects and
First Reformed Church staff and volunteers aware of potential environmental
hazards. If any activities have the potential to cause a reaction by a student,
an alternate activity will be provided. Parents/Guardians must ensure staff is
updated to any changes regarding student food and environmental allergies.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:
The Exodus Projects is committed to equal opportunity and does not
discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, handicapping
conditions, or national origin including limited English proficiency, in any
employment or educational opportunity. No person is excluded from
participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful

6. discrimination on such basis under any educational program or student
activity.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY:
The Exodus Projects believes that our children and youth (under 18) are a
valuable asset and that they are worthy of the utmost protection we are
capable of offering them while participating in the various programs offered by
The Exodus Projects. We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing
environment for our children and youth. A separate Child Protection Policy is
available via The Exodus Projects office and will be distributed to all
parents/guardians of any student enrolled in the Vacation Bible School
program at the initial drop off.
PARENT/GUARDIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have read this handbook in its entirety
and that I fully understand all sections listed within this document. By signing, I
agree to disclose all pertinent information regarding my student that will
ensure his/her safety and success at Vacation Bible School. I agree that if the
rules and regulations contained within this handbook are not upheld by myself
and my student, our place within this program will be revoked and allotted to
another student.
I agree that any forthcoming questions or concerns will be directed to the The
Exodus Projects and First Reformed Church staff.
Name:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Student Name:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Relationship to the Student:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Date Signed:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature:
___________________________________________________________________________________