Minors

Kamloops Hiking Club does not have a Family membership, nor does it accept memberships for minors under the age of 16.   Members’ children (or grandchildren), however, may join their parents on a KHC event if the required waiver (AR Form) and fee is completed for any event that the volunteer hike leader has determined that minors can attend the event he/she is organizing (in the event listing).

 

With the risks inherent in outdoor activities, some risk management issues arise that have resulted in some relevant KHC policies:

  • Any hiking club requires hike leaders and a Board of Directors (and therefore Events) protected by an insurance policy, a legal waiver, and Club policies that reflect best practices policies for outdoor clubs.
  • All adult members and guests must sign a waiver prior to participating in an event; this waiver effectively waives the rights to to undertake a successful legal action against leaders and the Club for damages.
  • But, under BC laws, no one can waive the rights of a minor (under 19 as defined in law), nor can the minor waive his/her own rights.   Because of this, waivers are not a sufficient measure to allow us to bring minors on an event, but…. The practice of including minors can still be achieved with the following steps.
  • Children/grandchildren may join an event if the parent/guardian is a member of the club and the parent/guardian registers for the event.   Parents/guardians of the minor are expected to explain KHC expectations and guidelines.
  • Parents/guardians of the minor are expected to be on the hike/event with the minor and to supervise and be fully responsible for the minor.
  • If the minor is experiencing difficulties, the parent/guardian is expected to either stick with the minor on the hike or return to the vehicle with the minor, in consultation with the hike leader.
  • Prior to the minor’s first event both the parent/guardian must complete the online (Acknowledgement of Risk) waiver with the child.   Failure to complete this step will result in follow-up by the Board of Directors since it contravenes KHC policy.
  • The AR Form was developed in conjunction with the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC and its legal/risk management advisors.   All 35 clubs use the same form and follow the same practices.
  • To include a minor in an event, the member should register two places in the usual way, then should comment to the event advising of the minor Guest.
  • Children or grandchildren of members may bring a minor with a fee of $1 (helps to cover the insurance costs), payable to the hike leader at the meetup spot.
  • The volunteer hike leader has the right to determine if minors will participate in the event or not in advance and the event listing will indicate this.
  • All Guests of members are limited to 3 events in a year, a requirement of our insurance company.
  • Kamloops Hiking Club may choose to accept full memberships for minors who are 16 – 18 years old on a case-by-case basis and on a limited basis, with the AR Form completed and a brief review/discussion with the parent/guardian and a designated current Board member.   Such memberships require approval from the Board of Directors.

 

KHC has had successful outings with minors and welcomes them and their parents/guardians for age-appropriate events each year as long as the requirements are met, but the reality is that there are not very many opportunities each year.  The extra challenges (and extra work) of waivers, fees, supervision, difficult routes, and events which easily fill up collectively results in hike leaders not choosing to allowing minors on most of their events.   If you are a interested in becoming a hike leader and leading some family-oriented events, please contact us.

KHC’s Electronic Acknowledgement of Risk Form:

** Acknowledgement of Risk **

Important Notes – You will receive an email from Smartwaiver (our e-waiver service) when you have submitted your completed form.   The email you will receive has a link which must be clicked to confirm your email address.   If the link is not clicked, we will not receive your waiver and you will have to do it all over again since the incomplete waiver will only be held for a couple of days.

After you click the first email you will receive a second email confirming your ewaiver is complete.   In the email is a link to see your signed waiver.   Click it to see the waiver and then print it.   Bring the copy/copies to your first event (to show to the hike leader).