Group Programs for Minors
MIT hosts a significant number of minors each year. Group Programs are a popular way MIT hosts minors each year either in-person, hybrid or online. These programs are a dynamic way for multiple minors to come together at MIT to study, learn, and play.
Group Programs consist of the following:
- One-Day Visits
- Any program that occurs over a course of one day. Examples: lectures, facility tours, demonstrations with or without hands-on activities, school field trips.
- Multi-Day Programs
- In person or hybrid (combination of in-person and online) programs that occur over the course of several days. Example: a two-week recreational camp sponsored by DAPER for local children on the MIT campus.
- Residential or Overnight Programs
- All in-person programs that have an overnight component. Example: a STEM program during the summer where minors live in MIT residence halls.
- Hybrid/Virtual Programs
- Please refer to the guidance at Virtual/Hybrid Programs for Minors
How to Plan and Manage Your Group Program(s)
Registration
Program Administrators or Supervisors must register their program or activity involving unaccompanied minors at least one month prior to the commencement of the program by completing the online registration form. To do so, please go to Register Your Program.
Background Checks
For any program lasting more than one day, the following categories of adults must undergo a criminal background check prior to their participation:
- Supervisors of programs involving unaccompanied minors, including those responsible for supervising staff who interact directly with minors
- Those who stay overnight with unaccompanied minors as part of their job responsibilities in a program or activity
- Those who have direct contact with unaccompanied minors as part of their job or volunteer responsibilities, whether in person or online
Please see Background Checks for more information.
Lab Safety
Please review the information on the EHS website pertaining to supervision in a lab environment, lab training requirements, accident reporting, hazard assessments, and other safety guidelines. Minors may not be given keys, card access, or punch codes to laboratories, machine shops, makerspaces, or other areas with identified EHS hazards.
Please see the Safety Guidelines for more information.
Supervision
MIT recommends the following the supervision ratios for group programs set by the American Camp Association, which are based on the age of the children participating.
- 5 years & younger 1:6
- 6–8 years 1:8
- 9–14 years 1:10
- 15–17 years 1:12
For classroom lectures, MIT recommends a ratio of 1:20 for middle school students and 1:25 for high school students.
Please see Supervision for more information.
Training and Resources
Supervisors and others who will work with the minor should review the training material.
Required Forms
Most group programs have required forms that must be completed by the minor’s parent or guardian. Please go to Required Forms to download the forms that are required for your program.
Completed forms should be returned to the program administrator and maintained for a period of three years.
Group Programs Checklist
The Group Programs checklist below describes the requirements and forms necessary to plan and manage your group program(s) for minors. Complete all steps identified in the checklist.
