How to Chaperone a Teen Dance

Not only high schools host teen dances. Most communities have a youth club that host dances several times a year. Here's how to make sure things run smoothly.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• At least 8 chaperones

1. Call the chaperones at least 2 weeks in advance.

2. Ask them to bring a snack for kids.

3. Have chaporones arrive 1/2 hour before dance begins to have a meeting.

4. Discuss what you expect each chaperones to do. For example, once the kids leave, you don't come back in. Set an age limit. 12-17 years is good. No outside drinks or food. There is usually a snack concession stand. No cigarettes, no smoking under 18!

5. Post signs with admission price and by rules at admission table.

6. Post chaperones at all open entrances to dance. There should only be two entrances. Revolve chaperones so one person doesn't have to be in one place all night.

7. Enlist a chaperone to peruse the outside of the dance, every 20 minutes also check out bathrooms this way, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Most kids are well behaved.
• Some will try to get away with whatever they can. Like sneaking alcohol in.
• Be wary of breath odor. Cigarettes? Alcohol? Something else?
• make sure kids tell their rides to arrive at 5 to closing. Most dances are 8pm to 12 midnight.
• If you have a DJ make sure they don't play songs with swear words.