Youth in the shop
Youth Guidelines in the shop
Table of contents
1. Youth Membership
2. Youth Build-a-bike/digging rights
3. Youth Volunteering
4. Youth Hours
5. Age limit for shop use
Youth Membership
Anyone under 18 gets a free membership to the Bike Kitchen. This is the same as an adult membership. It enables them to bring in their bikes and get help fixing them. It does not entitle them to any special deals on parts. Youth Build-a-bike/Digging Rights
Anyone under 18 is eligible to free digging rights for one bike. In order to access this, youth first need to go through an orientation to the shop where a staff member explains to them what the Bike Kitchen is, how it works, how it is a volunteer run cooperative and not a profit oriented business, etc. (This document should be reviewed with youth)
The orientation also includes having them do some minor stuff around the shop such as patching tubes or cleaning a chain, so they get the idea of what they will have to do to build a bike from scratch.
If a youth comes into the shop with their bike, helping them fix that is a great place to orient them to the shop.
Youth Volunteering
Youth can volunteer whenever they want for parts. The idea behind this is that youth have a hard time earning money, so expecting them to pay for parts puts them in a bad place.
In order to volunteer, a youth needs to clear a volunteer project with a staff on shift. A volunteer project could include patching tubes, sorting parts, cleaning, etc. In some instances, it could include helping patrons.
Once a task has been cleared by staff the youth volunteers and when they are done they fill out a "Youth Volunteer Sheet" which are located behind the greeter desk on the yellow cabinet. The staff and youth put down how many hours the youth volunteered for, the staff and youth sign it, and THE YOUTH HOLDS ONTO IT!!!!
The youth can turn in the sheet during youth hours to trade for parts. If the youth loses the paper they lose the volunteer hours. If a youth can't come to youth hours, they work out a specific exception with the staff on hand.
Youth Hours
Youth hours are on Monday from 3-6. Anyone 18 and under is welcome to come during these hours.
In order to come to youth hours by themselves, youth need to be 13 and up or in high school. Otherwise, youth are allowed in the shop but must be accompanied by an adult. On a case by case basis youth can be accompanied by an older sibling.
Youth Age Limit
Youth 13 to 18 or in high school are allowed in the shop on their own. Youth under thirteen and not in high school must be accompanied by an adult and it case by case circumstances an older sibling.
