At any Student Collective event, the safety and well-being of every attendee is one of our highest priorities. We are committed to creating an environment where students, leaders, volunteers, and guests can fully engage in what God is doing while knowing thoughtful safety measures are in place.

Below are some of the ways our team prepares before and throughout the weekend.

Police Checks & Training

Every adult serving on the lead and volunteer team is required to complete a current Vulnerable Sector Check (or approved background screening) prior to serving. In addition, all volunteers and team members complete event-specific training that covers:

Appropriate interactions with minors
Emergency procedures
Reporting concerns or incidents
Communication protocols
Guest care and hospitality
Role-specific expectations

Our goal is to ensure every team member is equipped to serve safely, confidently, and responsibly.

Volunteer Team

Volunteers serve throughout the weekend in a variety of roles, including hospitality, registration, logistics, prayer ministry, parking, activities, production support, and guest services.

Every volunteer is assigned to a specific team, receives training before serving, and reports to an experienced team lead who provides support throughout the event.

Dedicated Security Team

The Student Collective has a dedicated Security Team that serves throughout the entire event.

Security team members are strategically positioned throughout the camp, including entrances, exits, high-traffic areas, and the front of the main session space.

Their responsibilities include:

Monitoring attendee safety
Responding to concerns
Assisting with crowd management
Supporting emergency response procedures
Working alongside first aid personnel and event leadership when needed

Our security team remains alert and proactive throughout every session and activity.

Emergency Procedures

Comprehensive emergency response procedures are established before the conference begins.

Our leadership team, security team, volunteers, and venue partners are familiar with emergency protocols, including:

Medical emergencies
Severe weather
Lost students
Missing persons
Building/tent evacuations
Fire response
Security concerns

Should an emergency arise, our team is trained to respond quickly while maintaining clear communication with youth leaders and emergency services when required.

Youth Pastor Communication

We believe Youth Pastors are our ministry partners.

Before each General Session, we meet with Youth Pastors and Group Leaders to communicate important announcements, schedule updates, and any safety information relevant to the upcoming session.

Maintaining clear communication with church leaders helps ensure everyone is informed and prepared throughout the weekend.

Session Monitoring

During every General Session, trained members of our Security Team are positioned at the front of the venue and throughout the seating area to actively monitor the crowd.

Their role is to identify potential medical concerns, respond quickly when assistance is needed, and help maintain a safe environment while students participate in worship and teaching.

Service Recording

Every General Session is professionally recorded.

Recording services allow us to:

Review events if questions or concerns arise
Assist with incident documentation when appropriate
Share sessions with churches and families following the conference
Preserve teaching and worship experiences for future ministry use

Recordings are handled responsibly and in accordance with our media and privacy policies.

Immediate Medical Response

If a medical emergency occurs during a session, our production team, security personnel, and first aid responders work together to provide immediate assistance.

When necessary, the service may be temporarily paused to ensure emergency personnel have safe and unobstructed access to the individual requiring care.

The safety of our attendees always takes priority.

Incident Reporting

Any significant safety concern, injury, behavioural issue, or policy violation is documented through our formal Incident Report process.

This allows our leadership team to:

Document important details
Ensure appropriate follow-up
Communicate with youth pastors when necessary
Improve future safety procedures
Maintain accurate records of incidents

We take every report seriously and follow established procedures for review and response.

First Aid

Certified First Aid personnel are available throughout the events.

Medical support is located both inside and outside the main session venue and throughout the conference grounds to ensure a timely response during activities and General Sessions.

If additional medical care is required, local emergency services are contacted immediately.

Lost & Found / Missing Student Procedure

The safety and accountability of every student attending a student collective event is a shared responsibility between our event team and each attending youth group.

If a student becomes separated from their group, they are encouraged to approach the nearest volunteer, security team member, or information desk for assistance. Our team is trained to respond calmly and quickly, ensuring the student remains in a safe, supervised location while we work to reunite them with their youth leader.

When a missing student is reported, our Security Team immediately begins a coordinated response. Event leadership and security personnel communicate through established channels to locate the student as efficiently as possible. Once located, the student's youth leader is notified, and the student is safely reunited with their group.

Likewise, if a youth leader cannot locate a student from their group, they should notify the nearest member of the Security Team immediately so our response procedures can begin without delay.

Our goal is to ensure every student is accounted for and safely connected with their group throughout the conference.

Prayer Ministry Guidelines

Prayer is at the heart of every Student Collective event. We believe God transforms lives through the work of the Holy Spirit, and we are committed to providing prayer ministry that is both meaningful and safe.

All members of our Prayer Team receive training prior to the event and serve under the direction of experienced ministry leaders.

Prayer ministry is conducted using the following principles:

Prayer takes place in visible, public ministry spaces.
Prayer team members conduct themselves respectfully and appropriately at all times.
Appropriate physical boundaries are maintained during prayer ministry.
Whenever possible, youth pastors and leaders are encouraged to accompany or remain near students from their group during ministry times.
Students are always free to decline prayer or end a prayer conversation at any time.
Any concerns or disclosures shared during prayer ministry that indicate a student's immediate safety may require follow-up with event leadership and the student's youth leader in accordance with our reporting procedures.

Our desire is to create an environment where students can respond freely to God while being cared for with wisdom, accountability, and respect.

Code of Conduct

The Student Collective is committed to creating a Christ-centred environment where every attendee is welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity and respect.

By attending our events, all students, leaders, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, speakers, and guests agree to contribute to a safe and positive conference experience.

We ask every participant to:

Treat others with kindness, respect, and Christ-like character.
Follow the direction of event staff, volunteers, and security personnel.
Respect conference facilities, equipment, and property.
Help create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and welcome.
Report safety concerns or inappropriate behaviour to event leadership immediately.

The following behaviours are not permitted at Overflow:

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
Physical violence, threats, or aggressive behaviour.
Discrimination or hateful conduct toward others.
Sexual harassment or any form of inappropriate physical contact.
Possession or use of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, vaping products where prohibited, or other prohibited substances.
Possession of weapons or dangerous items.
Vandalism or intentional damage to property.
Behaviour that compromises the safety or well-being of others.
Failure to follow the reasonable direction of event staff or security personnel.

The Student Collective reserves the right to remove any attendee whose behaviour is determined to compromise the safety, well-being, or conference experience of others. Depending on the nature of the situation, parents or guardians, youth pastors, church leadership, law enforcement, or emergency services may also be notified.

Our hope is that every person who attends these events experiences a safe, welcoming environment where they can grow in their relationship with Jesus, build healthy community, and participate fully in all that God has planned for the weekend.

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Email Address

WOD OF THE PAOC
3214 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD
BURLINGTON ONTARIO L7N 3J2 CANADA
905.637.5566

This is a department of the Western Ontario District of the PAOC

Thank you!