Protection of Minors: COVID-19 Guidelines

Stanford on-campus programs and activities involving minors (as defined in Administrative Guide 1.8.1), including internships, camps and tutoring/mentorships, are permitted to operate in-person on a continuing basis, provided they adhere to Stanford’s policies. Vaccination is strongly encouraged for all participants in minors programs. Please note that these policies do not extend to Stanford on-campus childcare centers, which maintain their own COVID-19 protocols.

All third-party programs who wish to operate at Stanford must be reviewed and approved by University Human Resources.

Off-campus in-person programs and activities involving minors must follow the university’s COVID-19-related requirements, which are available on the EH&S website. Additionally, when the respective county’s transmission level for COVID-19 is at high, face coverings are recommended.

Stanford programs and activities who wish to operate in-person must develop a plan to meet the university’s COVID-19-related requirements. Additionally, minors programs and activities must register with the university’s Protection of Minors Management System (known as ePOM) and meet all requirements of the Protection of Minors policy prior to anticipated start date, including obtaining approval from the Program Sponsor.

This policy is subject to change at any time. Stanford will be closely monitoring COVID-19 spread in the community. Programs should be ready to modify existing or future programming if conditions warrant.

COVID-19-related requirements for in-person minors programs and activities

To ensure the health and safety of participants and the campus community, vaccination is strongly recommended for all participants in in-person minors programs and activities.
Programs should also verify that minors do not have COVID-19 at the start of the program or activity. Stanford is not keeping copies of COVID-19 test results.
Programs should maintain rapid antigen test kits on hand for symptomatic testing. Participants exhibiting symptoms should be tested to determine if they are COVID-19 positive. All COVID-19 positive participants will need to isolate for at least 5 days and obtain a negative antigen test before returning to the program.
Programs need to provide isolation space, including transportation and essential resources (food and medical support) for COVID-19 positive participants, until they can be picked up by their parent/guardian. Minors also need to be supervised by two Program Staff while in isolation.
It is recommended that minors complete the Stanford Visitor: Daily COVID-19 Health Attestation on the first day of the program or activity.
With certain exceptions, face coverings are no longer required but will continue to be strongly recommended on-site, regardless of vaccination status, as well as off-site when the respective county’s transmission level for COVID-19 is at high. Programs must comply with current university policy on face coverings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered a Program Sponsor?

Each program or activity involving minors must have an identified Stanford department serving as the Program Sponsor, represented by a Department Chair, Senior Staff as defined by Administrative Guide 2.1.14: Senior Staff, or Institute Director. The Program Sponsor must be one of the following:

Stanford University academic department, school, or institute
Stanford administrative office operating on behalf of the university
Non-academic departments recognized by the President’s Office

For more information, visit the Program Sponsor page.

Who is responsible for ensuring that the COVID-19-related requirements are met?

Program Sponsors are responsible for ensuring the COVID-19 related requirements are met. Program Sponsors with questions about the COVID-19 related requirements should contact EH&S by filling out the EH&S Health Guidance form.

Who is responsible for ensuring that the Protection of Minors policy requirements are met?

Program Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that all policy requirements are met prior to the anticipated start date.