Register for The Kitchen

Parental Consent & Enrollment Agreement

I, the parent or legal guardian of the named student, voluntarily consent to my student's participation in The Giving Table Collective youth culinary program ("The Kitchen"). I understand and agree to the following:

Program Activities: Sessions involve hands-on cooking in a professional kitchen environment with equipment including knives, heat sources, ovens, commercial appliances, and other culinary tools. A minimum of two background-checked, trained adults will supervise all activities at all times. No adult will be alone with my child at any point during program activities.

Supervision Standards: The Giving Table Collective maintains a minimum ratio of one adult per six youth participants during general sessions, and one adult per four youth participants during knife skills and open-flame cooking activities. The Two-Adult Rule is enforced without exception.

Program Structure: Each session is approximately two hours and includes a Kitchen Block (hands-on cooking), Table Block (plating, hospitality, and etiquette), and Community Block (shared meal and facilitated conversation). Sessions are open registration — students may attend any session without committing to a full series.

Volunteer Screening: All adults working with youth participants have completed criminal background checks, reference checks, and mandatory reporter training in accordance with South Carolina law and the organization's Youth Protection Policy.

Program Conduct: The Giving Table Collective reserves the right to end a student's participation if behavior violates the Youth Code of Conduct, following parent notification and a documented conversation.

Cost: The Kitchen program is free to attend. Food safety certification costs are covered by the organization. There is no cost to families for standard program participation.

Medical Treatment: I authorize program staff to seek emergency medical treatment for my student if I cannot be reached. I understand this authorization is limited to emergency situations where delay in treatment would endanger my student's health.

Acknowledgment of Youth Protection Policy: I acknowledge that The Giving Table Collective operates under a comprehensive Youth Protection Policy that governs all adult interactions with youth participants. I agree that my student and any accompanying adults will comply with this policy during program activities. The full policy is available upon request.

I understand that participation is voluntary and that I may withdraw my student from the program at any time by notifying the program director.

Medical Information Authorization & Emergency Treatment Consent

I confirm that the medical information provided in this registration form — including medical conditions, medications, food allergies, and physician information — is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I agree to notify The Giving Table Collective promptly of any changes to my student's medical status.

Food Allergen Management: I understand that The Giving Table Collective operates a kitchen environment where a wide range of ingredients including common allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish) may be present. While reasonable precautions are taken, the program cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. I have accurately disclosed all of my student's allergies in this registration form.

EpiPen Protocol: If my student carries an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), I agree to bring it to every session. I authorize program staff who have received epinephrine training to administer the EpiPen in accordance with my student's Food Allergy Action Plan in the event of a severe allergic reaction when emergency services have been called and I cannot be reached immediately.

Emergency Medical Authorization: I authorize The Giving Table Collective program staff to consent to emergency medical treatment for my student in the event of an injury, illness, or medical emergency during program activities if I — and the designated emergency contact — cannot be reached within a reasonable time. I understand that staff will make every effort to contact me before authorizing non-emergency treatment. This authorization applies only to situations where a delay in treatment would pose a risk to my student's health or safety.

Incident Notification: I understand that any injury, accident, or medical incident involving my student will be documented in an Incident Report Form and that I will be notified by phone within two hours of any significant incident, or at pickup for minor incidents that were fully resolved on-site.

I am responsible for any medical expenses incurred as a result of emergency treatment authorized under this provision.

Participant Expectations & Behavioral Agreement

The Giving Table Collective is built on respect — for the food, the kitchen, and every person at the table. All participants are expected to uphold the following standards during program activities:

Kitchen Safety:

• Follow all kitchen safety rules at all times, including proper use of knives, heat equipment, and commercial appliances
• Listen to and follow all instructions from program adults immediately and without argument
• Never use any equipment without direct adult supervision
• Keep the kitchen clean, organized, and hazard-free
• Report any injury, accident, or safety concern to a staff member immediately

Community Standards:

• Treat all participants, staff, volunteers, and guests with respect regardless of background, identity, or experience level
• Use respectful, appropriate language at all times — profanity and derogatory language are not permitted
• Respect the personal space, property, and boundaries of everyone in the program space
• Be present and engaged — personal phones are put away during program activities unless staff directs otherwise
• Never leave the program space without notifying a staff member

Consequence Framework: Violations of this Code of Conduct will result in a calm, private conversation with program staff. Serious or repeated violations may result in the student being asked to leave the session, with a parent notification. Violations involving safety, physical harm to others, or threatening behavior may result in suspension from future sessions. We believe in second chances — this policy exists to protect the community, not to exclude people from it.

I understand that agreeing to this code applies to my student and to any adult accompanying them during program activities.

Youth Protection Policy Summary & Acknowledgment

The Giving Table Collective operates under a comprehensive Youth Protection Policy designed to ensure the physical, emotional, and social safety of every young person in our program. The following is a summary of key provisions. The full policy is available upon request.

Volunteer Screening: Every adult working with youth participants — including staff, volunteers, and visiting guests — must complete a criminal background check, reference check, and orientation before their first session. Offenses involving minors, sexual misconduct, or violence result in automatic, permanent disqualification.

Two-Adult Rule: A minimum of two unrelated, background-checked adults must be present at all times when youth participants are in program spaces. No adult will ever be alone with a single minor in an enclosed or unobservable space under any circumstances.

Communication Standards: All electronic communication between program adults and youth participants must include a parent or guardian. Private, one-on-one digital communication between adults and minors is prohibited. Adults will not follow or friend youth participants on personal social media accounts.

Physical Contact Policy: Physical contact between adults and youth participants is limited to high-fives, brief side-hugs initiated by the student, hand-over-hand cooking guidance with verbal notice and consent, and first aid as required. Adults will not initiate hugs or engage in prolonged physical contact with participants.

Mandatory Reporting: All program adults are mandated reporters under South Carolina Code § 63-7-310. Any reasonable belief that a child has been abused or neglected will be reported to the South Carolina DSS Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline (1-888-227-3487) regardless of internal review status.

Reporting a Concern: If you ever have a concern about how your student was treated by a program adult, please contact the program director directly. If your concern involves the program director, contact the organization's board. All concerns are taken seriously and investigated promptly.

I acknowledge that I have read this summary of The Giving Table Collective's Youth Protection Policy and that I understand my student will be supervised in accordance with these standards at all times during program activities.

Photography, Video & Media Release

The Giving Table Collective documents program activities through photography and video for use in organizational communications, social media (@givingtablecollective on Instagram and TikTok), grant applications, press materials, and program promotion.

If you grant permission: Your student may appear in photos and videos shared on organizational platforms. Only their first name will ever be used. No last name, school name, home neighborhood, or other identifying information will be shared publicly.

If you decline: Your student will be identified with a visual marker at each session so our team knows immediately. This decision does not affect their participation in any aspect of the program in any way.

This permission applies only to The Giving Table Collective's official platforms and materials. It does not extend to third-party use without separate written consent. You may revoke this permission at any time by notifying the program director in writing.