FAMILY AREA POLICIES

The Family Area sevadars are looking forward to welcoming parents/guardians and the children under their care to the Vancouver Study Centre Family Area.

• Each parent/guardian who brings a child to the Family Area is solely responsible for the child or children that they bring. Parents and guardians using the Family Area are required to ensure that the children for whom they are caring are well-behaved and do not engage in any unacceptable, unruly, or violent acts or behaviour.
• The Family Area is used entirely at your own risk and RSSB-C accepts no liability for any actions, omissions, or injury to the child or guardian while using the Family Area.
• Parents or guardians must keep the children for whom they are responsible, in sight and under their supervision at all times. RSSB-C accepts no liability for lost or separated children. Parents or guardians must be responsible for their children AT ALL TIMES, with no exceptions no matter where they are on the property.
• During Satsang, for safety purposes, all children should be either in the Family Area or in Satsang as per the age limit policies.

Conditions for using the Family Area:

• Parents and guardians agree to abide by all of the policies of the Family Area. All children must be under the direct care and supervision of their parents or guardians at all times.
• No child may leave the Family Area unless accompanied by the parent or guardian responsible for that child. No parent or guardian may leave the Family Area without also taking the child or children for whom they are responsible.
• Parents/guardians should not close their eyes during the Shabad singing, Satsang, or Question and Answer session or at any time. You must keep the children for whom you are responsible in sight and under your supervision.
• A youth 16 or older may act as a guardian and care for up to two children, An adult (19 +) may act as a guardian for up to four children.
• Children 10 – 15 years old may stay in the Family Area with a parent or guardian and read, do homework or some other quiet activity or they may go to Satsang with a parent or guardian.
• Young people (16 +) should not be in the Family Area unless they are acting as guardians.
• When using the restrooms, children and parents/guardians must all go together, and all belongings should be taken with you. A family/companion restroom is available in the North Wing.
• A Nursing Area for mothers with infants will be available.
• The Family Area opens 4 hours before Satsang and closes 30 minutes after Satsang.
• Family Area sevadars are present to monitor the entrances and exits and set up the various areas and activities. They are not providing childcare.
• Strollers are permitted at the Centre but must be checked outside the Family Area and not brought into the Family Area.

Children Attending Satsang:

• Children aged 10-15 may attend Satsang only if accompanied by a parent or guardian and they all are required to sit together.
• Young people (16+) are required to attend Satsang as they are not allowed in the Family Area unless they are caring for younger family members.
• Groups of young people are not permitted to congregate or walk around the Science of the Soul Study Centre during Satsang.

What to bring

• Snacks:

  • Parents/guardians should bring lacto-vegetarian food for their own children, and any formula or milk for babies or toddlers.
  • Due to potential allergies, please do not bring any food containing nuts.



• Activities:

  • A few craft activities and board games will be available for use.
  • Simple toys, games, and crafts will be provided. Please do not bring any of those items from home.
  • Electronics: mobile phones, smart watches, fitness trackers, pagers, cameras, binoculars, laser pointers, MP3 players including iPods, audio video recorders, electronic games or any other electronic items are not permitted in the Family Area or in the Satsang Hall.



• Medical Needs & Clothing:

  • Be sure to bring medications your child may need as First Aid cannot provide or prescribe any medications.
  • Weather in Vancouver is unpredictable. Please check the weather report each day, dress appropriately, and bring hats and sunscreen. It is always wise to have a light rain jacket on hand. There may be outdoor seating or seating in tents so please dress for the weather.

The Sevadars want to provide an atmosphere that is enjoyable for the children and that can only be done with the aid of the parents and guardians who ensure that their children are safe and supervised throughout their time at the Study Centre.