Travel Policy (Local & Team Travel)
Applies to all TEAMGOLDUSA athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, chaperones and volunteers. This policy supports MAAPP and USA Swimming guidance.
Scope. Local transportation to practice and meets, and all team-organized travel including day trips and overnight events, domestic or international.
1) Principles
- Two-adult rule whenever reasonably possible; all interactions must be observable and interruptible.
- No coach or unrelated applicable adult may share a hotel room with a minor athlete.
- Use parent/guardian written consent for specified circumstances (see Parent Consent Forms page).
2) Local Transportation
- Unrelated applicable adults may not provide one-on-one rides to a minor athlete without prior written parent consent for each instance.
- Preferred options: parent carpools; team-organized shuttles with two adults; or athlete’s own family.
- Pickup/Drop-off locations should be well-lit, public, and timely; communicate delays via group channels.
3) Team Travel
- Rooming lists approved by the head coach and Safe Sport contact; minors room with minors only.
- Chaperone ratio target: 1:8 (minors:chaperone) or better; chaperones background-checked and briefed.
- Curfew, room checks by two adults; hall doors knocked/announced; no entry to athlete rooms by unrelated adults.
- Team meetings occur in open, common spaces; door remains open for any necessary one-on-one conversation.
4) Medical & Treatment
- Licensed professionals treating minor athletes require parent consent on file; treatments in observable areas when feasible.
- Injury/illness reported to the trip lead and parent/guardian promptly.
5) Communication & Photos on Trips
- Use team group apps/email for schedules and urgent notices; no private coach↔minor DMs (see Electronic & Social Media Policy).
- Photos/video in public areas only—never in locker rooms, restrooms, or sleeping rooms.
6) Violations & Reporting
Concerns should be reported to the team’s Safe Sport contact and via USA Swimming’s Safe Sport portal. Anonymous text is available at 888-270-SWIM (7946). Retaliation is prohibited.