Section R501-8-4 - Program Requirements(1) Each program that operates in Utah and another state shall meet the requirements for licensure as established by each state.(2) The program field director, program executive director, and governing body for each expedition group shall develop and approve a written plan which may not expose clients to unreasonable risks.(3) Each outdoor youth program shall provide the office with each outdoor youth program training plan governing consequences for client and staff conduct, and the office shall review and approve the plan before implementation.(4) Each outdoor youth program shall ensure that each client has clothing and equipment to protect the client from the environment. This equipment may never be removed, denied, or made unavailable.(5) During an expedition, if a client refuses or is unable to hike or to carry the client's equipment, the group shall cease hiking. Each program shall establish, document, and resolve the reasons for the client's refusal or inability to continue before hiking continues.(6) Each outdoor youth program shall ensure that deprivation of essential equipment or items shall not be used as a consequence.(7) Each outdoor youth program shall conduct an individual assessment of each client's recommended backpack weight. Each backpack weight guideline may not exceed 20 % of the client's body weight. If a client is required to carry other items, the total weight carried shall not exceed 30 % of the client's body weight unless individually documented with parental permission to exceed this ratio.(8) Each outdoor youth program shall provide clients with clean clothing at least weekly and shall provide a means for each client to bathe or otherwise clean the client's body at least twice weekly.(9) Hiking shall not exceed the physical capability of the weakest member of the group. Hiking shall be prohibited at temperatures above 90 degrees F. or at temperatures below ten degrees F.(10) A field staff in each group shall carry a means to accurately measure and display the current temperature.(11) Each expedition plan including map routes, anticipated schedules, and times shall be carried by the field staff and recorded in the field office.(12) A field staff in each group shall maintain a signed daily log or dictate a recorded log to be transcribed and signed immediately following termination of the activity to contain the following information: (a) each critical incident;(b) prescription compliance;(c) each medical concern;(d) each behavioral concern or refusal to hike and how the concern is addressed;(e) each unusual occurrence; and(f) each log entry shall be recorded in an un-editable format and remain available to the office upon request.(13) Each program staff shall be required to carry an accurate, reliable time piece accurately reflecting the time of day and for documentation purposes in log notes and incident reports.(14) Program administration is responsible to train each staff regarding the standards of this section and to regularly monitor and ensure compliance.Utah Admin. Code R501-8-4
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-4, effective 1/17/2019Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-06, effective 3/7/2022