Youth Volunteers and School Groups: What Changes in Your Risk Plan?

Service projects often attract youth volunteers and school volunteer groups, especially for short-term or seasonal efforts like food drives, community cleanups, or special events. These groups bring enthusiasm and fresh energy, which nonprofits value. They also introduce different risk considerations that deserve attention before the project begins.

That is where nonprofit volunteer insurance fits into the conversation. When volunteers are minors or part of an organized school group, the risk plan should be adjusted thoughtfully, not reactively. The goal is not to discourage youth involvement, but to protect volunteers and the organization while the work gets done.

How Youth Volunteers Change the Risk Picture

Age plays a fundamental role in nonprofit risk management. Youth volunteers may not have the same physical strength, experience, or situational awareness as adults. Even simple service project tasks can present challenges when expectations are unclear.

Everyday activities such as lifting donated goods, working outdoors, or using basic tools carry different levels of risk depending on the volunteer’s age and training. A task that feels routine to staff or adult volunteers may be unfamiliar or physically demanding for a teenager.

Risk tends to increase not because youth volunteers are reckless, but because boundaries are not always defined. Clear role descriptions, close supervision, and realistic task assignments are critical when minors are involved.

What Nonprofits Often Overlook With School and Youth Groups

Short-term service projects often move quickly, and that speed can lead to assumptions. One of the most common is supervision. Nonprofits sometimes assume school staff or group leaders are fully responsible, while schools assume the nonprofit is in charge when no one clarifies who is responsible, leaving gaps.

Transportation is another frequent blind spot. How youth volunteers arrive and leave, and who is responsible during those transitions, should be decided in advance. Even arrival and departure times can create exposure if expectations are unclear.

There is also a tendency to assume that parental permission slips or school coverage automatically protect the nonprofit. That is not always the case. Sound nonprofit risk management requires confirming coverage and procedures rather than relying on assumptions.

How Nonprofit Volunteer Insurance Helps Close the Gaps

Even with strong planning and supervision, accidents and allegations can still occur. Nonprofit volunteer accident insurance plays a crucial role, helping to cover medical costs if a youth volunteer is injured while participating in approved activities. Volunteer liability insurance can provide defense and protection if a volunteer is accused of causing bodily injury or property damage.

Volunteer insurance is designed to complement good planning, not replace it. One significant benefit of insuring volunteers separately is that claims involving volunteers do not erode the liability limits your organization relies on to protect its operations and staff. This approach supports both the volunteer and the nonprofit when something unexpected happens.

For details about the specialized volunteer insurance VIS offers, click the “VIS is…” tab at the top of the page and scroll down to the FAQ section.

Planning Safer Service Projects With Youth Volunteers

Adjusting your risk plan for youth volunteers does not require complicated policies or extensive documentation. Small, practical decisions made in advance can significantly reduce the chance of injury or confusion during a service project.

Start by matching tasks to age and ability. Activities that involve lifting, tool use, working near traffic, or navigating unfamiliar spaces may be appropriate for adult volunteers but not for minors. Clearly defining what youth volunteers should not do is just as important as outlining what they can do, especially for short-term projects where expectations are set quickly.

Nonprofits may also find it useful to review the U.S. Department of Labor’s Youth Employment Compliance Assistance Toolkit. While the resource is designed for youth employment, it offers helpful context around age-based task limitations, supervision considerations, and hazard awareness that can inform safer volunteer assignments for minors. It can serve as a practical reference point when evaluating whether a service project task is appropriate for youth volunteers.

Be sure to tell your liaison with the youth group exactly what kind of clothing, shoes, and protective equipment (e.g., gloves, protective eyewear) the new volunteers are expected to have. Otherwise, you can bet someone will show up wearing flip-flops!

Supervision should be visible and consistent throughout the project. Youth volunteers should know exactly who they report to, and supervisors should feel comfortable redirecting activities if conditions change or a task becomes unsafe. Clear reporting procedures also help ensure that any incident or near miss is addressed promptly and documented appropriately.

VIS members enjoy 24/7 access to the VIS Vault, a collection of risk-management resources, including dozens of Preventer Papers on injury prevention and vehicle safety. These resources are well-suited for small-group safety training or for sharing with volunteers individually before a service project begins.

What Changes and What Should Not

Youth volunteers and school groups can change a nonprofit’s risk plan. They require clearer supervision, better communication, and fewer assumptions about coverage and responsibility. What should not change is the organization’s commitment to welcoming volunteers and protecting everyone involved.

Nonprofit volunteer insurance works best as part of a broader approach that includes planning, training, and supervision. Before your next service project, take time to review who will be participating, what tasks they will perform, and whether your coverage and procedures align with those realities.

FAQ About Youth Volunteers

Do nonprofits need different insurance for youth volunteers?

Youth volunteers often have the same exposures as adults, but age and supervision requirements can increase risk. Insurance specifically designed for volunteer activities helps address these differences.

Are minors covered under volunteer insurance policies?

The VIS program does not have a minimum or maximum age requirement.

What additional risks come with school and youth service groups?

Common risks include unclear supervision, transportation responsibilities, physical limitations, and assumptions about school or parental coverage. Addressing these issues in advance is a core part of nonprofit risk management.

About VIS

Volunteers Insurance Service Association, Inc. (VIS) is a membership organization serving more than 3,500 volunteer-based nonprofit organizations and public entities nationwide. VIS is the only association that offers these three insurance programs designed specifically for volunteers: volunteer accident, volunteer liability, and volunteer excess automobile liability.

If you are interested in protecting your volunteers through the unique VIS insurance program, please click on the “Get volunteer insurance now” link on the home page, or call 800.222.8920. For more information on VIS’s risk-management resources for members and our vendor partners, click on the “Member Benefits” tab.