Relationships are at the core of all Wellfit Girls programming. Empowering students to build strong connections to their peers and with our caring adult mentors is at the heart of our mission. We teach teamwork, collaboration, communication and leadership skills to help our students connect with each other and the world around them. However, we view technology as being a major barrier in helping us accomplish these goals and a major distraction in permitting students to build new friendships, create lasting memories and learn about the amazing places that we will be traveling in.

For these reasons, students’ personal electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, etc.) will not be permitted in any Wellfit Girls programming, including all educational trips/excursions. If a student brings their phone during a program, the Program Director will ask to hold onto it until the end of their time together.

The excursion is likely the first time where your daughter can unplug from the Internet and have face-to-face conversations. Girls will not be allowed to use their phone on the excursion. Wellfit Girls’ staff and/or excursion guides will have their cell phones on them for emergency use.

We recognize that social networking is part of today’s society. At the same time we want to make sure that the use of social networking sites by Wellfit Girls and staff does not create any legal or reputational problems for Wellfit Girls in the future. As a result, we ask our girls and staff to exercise discretion. We ask that the girls be mindful of their actions and be thoughtful and respectful of the anticipated audience of the content. To help guide you in your use of social networking sites, we have created this Social Networking Policy. This policy will help you open up a respectful, knowledgeable interaction with people on the Internet and also protect the privacy, confidentiality and interests of Wellfit Girls Program SWFL, Inc.

Statements about Wellfit Girls: Wellfit Girls are ambassadors for the program. Acceptance into this program holds Wellfit Girls to a higher standard than their peers. We expect that Wellfit Girls use good judgment when posting anything on social media and we request that all participants share their Wellfit Girls experience through social media outlets. When posting pictures/content related to Wellfit Girls and the expedition, please acknowledge/give credit to Wellfit Girls in the post (tag Wellfit Girls, #WellfitGirls, etc.) When posting content, you may not make disparaging statements about Wellfit Girls or that would otherwise reflect negatively on Wellfit Girls.

Defamatory Comments: You may not post any comments that are considered defamatory.

Inappropriate Material: You may not post any photos or images, or use language that is obscene, contains nudity or sexual images, or is violent or otherwise offensive in nature.

Harassment: You may not post anything on a social networking site that is derogatory, offensive or threatening to another person. This includes anything that may be considered “bullying.”

Proprietary Information: You may not post any proprietary or otherwise confidential information about Wellfit Girls or any third party or using trademarks, without the express written consent of the copyright or trademark owner. You should only post content that you have the right to post third party.

Confidentiality: You may not reveal personal information about an individual or otherwise invade the privacy of another person.

Misrepresentation: You may not discuss any public or Wellfit Girls related issues in a way that creates the impression that you are representing the program in this matter. Such postings could lead to legal action.

Social Network Sites and/or Personal Websites. Wellfit Girls participants may not create a group on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, etc. without written consent by the Directors. Posting any photograph on a social network site where facilities or staff are in Wellfit Girls wear is strictly prohibited without consent. The posting of pictures of Wellfit Girls, staff or facilities on websites where photos can be “dumped” or downloaded are also prohibited.

Media: any media interviews including, but not limited to, television, newspaper and magazines pertaining to your experience in Wellfit Girls may not occur without prior consent from Wellfit Girls Directors.

Wellfit Girls reserves the right in its sole discretion to terminate the enrollment of any participant who does not abide by the rules and regulations, and/or whose conduct is deemed by the directors to be such as to endanger the teen, the success of the program or the welfare of other participants and/or the directors, volunteers or staff members. If your daughter violates these rules and regulations, it is understood and accepted that she may be sent home immediately, receive no refund whatsoever for the prorated remainder of the program costs and be financially responsible for the transportation cost home (including the purchase of a new return ticket home). We agree that if your daughter is sent home for any such violation, that there will be a parent, guardian, relative or emergency contact adult to meet and pick up the participant from the flight the program arranges home.

Participating in the final excursion portion of the program is not guaranteed upon acceptance into Wellfit Girls. Attendance, participation, and overall group engagement is required to fulfill the final challenge.

Attendance: We know things come up (trips, illness, etc.) and we will consider individual cases. Girls will not be allowed to have more than THREE EXCUSED ABSENCES in any Wellfit Girls Program.

Any Wellfit Girl found engaging in any illegal activity or breaking the rules as outlined below, will jeopardize their chances of completing the program and participating in the final expedition. If a Wellfit Girl is released from the program and/or sent home for any of the specified reasons below, there will be absolutely NO REFUNDS and the parents will be solely responsible for transportation home. There will be zero tolerance for the following:

Drugs: Use, possession or attempted purchase of any illegal drug or controlled substance in any quantity. Your personal use, attempt to purchase, possession of or being in the company of anyone using or possessing any illegal drugs in any quantity, (i.e. marijuana, hashish, ecstasy, synthetic marijuana, cocaine, crack, inhalants, etc.) or any unauthorized prescription drugs, or possession or purchase of any drug equipment, paraphernalia is prohibited. Wellfit Girls Program Directors reserve the right to conduct a room/tent search or personal effects search at any time without notice. All luggage and persons are subject to inspection and search by Wellfit Girls staff and TSA officials if the group is flying.
Alcohol: Use or possession of any alcoholic beverages or attempting to purchase any alcoholic beverage. This policy also includes non-alcoholic beers. Being in the area where alcohol is consumed by minors will also be grounds for dismissal. Wellfit Girls Program Directors reserve the right to conduct a room/tent search or personal effects search should alcohol possession be suspected. Any possession or use of a false I.D. is prohibited.
Exclusive, Sexual or Romantic Relationships: Wellfit Girls offers students the possibility to develop incredible connections with other students, community adult volunteers and resource people. Wellfit Girls by no means discourages the development of friendships and special feelings, but Wellfit Girls does ask that students not take actions to become an “exclusive” relationship with another student during the full program term, including the expedition. A safe learning environment requires appropriate behavioral boundaries. These boundaries keep students focused on the adventures before them rather than being overwhelmed by relational dynamics. An “exclusive relationship” means pairing off or forming a clique where your emotional investment in another person(s) becomes distracting for you or others in the group. We ask each person to take responsibility and be sensitive so that no one feels left out. For students who are already dating before they participate on an expedition, the trip leader will have a pre-trip conversation with both of them, encouraging them to “find the balance” while on the expedition. Students who are dating can sit together from time to time on van rides, but not every time, so that the rest of the group can spend time getting to know them and vice versa.
Smoking/Tobacco Products: no smoking, use, possession or purchase of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and vape pens.
Leaving the Immediate Lodge Grounds: No Wellfit Girl shall be found leaving the immediate camping grounds without director permission or unattended.
Gambling: Gambling of any kind
Harassment & Bullying: engaging in any verbal or physical harassment or abuse of any kind, directed toward any member of the Wellfit Girls Program.
Pornography: possessing, sharing and/or distributing pornography to any member of the program community is prohibited.

Wellfit Girls reserves the right in its sole discretion to terminate the enrollment of any participant who does not abide by the rules and regulations, and/or whose conduct is deemed by the directors to be such as to endanger the teen, the success of the program or the welfare of other participants and/or the directors, volunteers or staff members. If your daughter violates these rules and regulations, it is understood and accepted that she may be sent home immediately, receive no refund whatsoever for the prorated remainder of the program costs and be financially responsible for the transportation cost home (including the purchase of a new return ticket home). We agree that if your daughter is sent home for any such violation, that there will be a parent, guardian, relative or emergency contact adult to meet and pick up the participant from the flight the program arranges home.

READ THIS FORM COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY. YOU ARE AGREEING TO LET YOUR MINOR CHILD ENGAGE IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. YOU ARE AGREEING THAT, EVEN IF WELLFIT GIRLS, ITS OWNERS, AFFILIATES, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS USE REASONABLE CARE IN PROVIDING THIS ACTIVITY, THERE IS A CHANCE YOUR CHILD MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN DANGERS INHERENT IN THE ACTIVITY WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED OR ELIMINATED. BY SIGNING THIS FORM YOU ARE GIVING UP YOUR CHILD'S RIGHT AND YOUR RIGHT TO RECOVER FROM WELLFIT GIRLS, ITS OWNERS, AFFILIATES, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS IN A LAWSUIT FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, TO YOUR CHILD OR ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM THE RISKS THAT ARE A NATURAL PART OF THE ACTIVITY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO SIGN THIS FORM, AND WELLFIT GIRLS HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO LET YOUR CHILD PARTICIPATE IF YOU DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM.

Although Wellfit Girls has taken reasonable steps to provide you with appropriate equipment and skilled instructors so you can enjoy the Program, we wish to remind you that the Program is not without risk. As a participant in the Program you may, but are not limited to, participate in the following activities: Wellfit Girls-provided or arranged transportation during the course of Program events and activities via car, bus, van, jeep, or sedan or some less conventional methods including but not limited to riding in a partially covered four wheel drive vehicle; cooking over gas stoves or open fires; eating food prepared by local villagers; sleeping in the outdoors; drinking water treated with iodine, boiled/filtered, or, should you choose, untreated; carrying your own gear and equipment; lifting heavy weights, using fitness equipment, running, stretching, and engaging in intense cardiovascular exercise; hiking across rugged terrain, scrambling, balancing and climbing over rocks and along precipitous trails; crossing turbulent streams; performing strenuous activity for long periods of time; being exposed to rain, lightning, heat, cold, dryness, high altitudes, rock slides, falling rocks; living among trees, insects, wild plants and animals and possible natural hazards, risks and dangers inherent in wilderness environments. Your professional expedition guides, certified in CPR and Advance First Aid with a focus on wilderness settings, and equipped with an expedition first aid kit, may be your only care provider in the field and will make decisions about the need for emergency evacuations. You, your professional expedition guides, and your group will make all decisions in the wilderness setting, including but not limited to about the need for care and emergency evacuations, and you therefore face risks associated with group and individual judgment and error. You will hike with a heavy pack at high altitudes.

All the above activities have inherent risks, including but not limited to exposure to crime, acts of God, terrorism, or political unrest; vehicular accidents; serious burns, falls, bites, broken bones, concussions, sunburn, infections, cardiac arrest, hypothermia, exhaustion, dehydration, other injuries, or death.

Additionally, personal property, luggage, and valuables brought by you to Program activities may be damaged, stolen, or lost. Wellfit Girls assumes no responsibility and accepts no liability for your personal property at any time.

You intend to participate in the Wellfit Girls Program Southwest Florida, Inc.’s (“Wellfit Girls”) program, which includes leadership meetings, exercise sessions, an overnight expedition in the United States, fundraising events, Wellfit Girls-provided or arranged transportation to, from, or during the course of Wellfit Girls’ events, and other Wellfit Girls-sponsored activities (collectively, the “Program”). It is important to Wellfit Girls that you understand that the Program may include certain risks which cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of this Program. As a participant in the Program, you must promote personal responsibility for your own safety and the safety of the other participants by following instructions, acting prudently, and exercising good judgment. To emphasize these critically important points, we ask that you (and for those of you under the age of 18, your parent or natural guardian) read, sign, and return to us this Acknowledgement of Risk, Waiver of Liability, Waiver of Jury Trial, and General Release. The following describes some, but not all, of the activities and risks in the Program and is a waiver and release of Wellfit Girls in connection with and in consideration for your participation in the Program.

Before giving any money to Wellfit Girls Program Southwest Florida, Inc. (“Wellfit Girls”) please read and acknowledge the following important terms:

1. Fees paid for participation in Wellfit Girls programming (“Program Fees”) are not tax-deductible. Wellfit Girls will use the Program Fees to provide services to the participant to whom said Program Fees are intended to serve.

2. Wellfit Girls has full control of all Program Fees, and discretion as to their use to ensure our mission and purpose is carried out. Wellfit Girls will keep proper accounting records to verify these facts.

3. Under no circumstances shall Wellfit Girls return or refund Program Fees. If a participant voluntarily chooses to not complete the program or is asked to leave the program for any reason, no funds will be returned. If participant chooses to leave or is asked to leave after flight and travel reservations have been made, they will be responsible for the cancellation fee.

4. A Program Fee Schedule is being provided contemporaneously with this acknowledgement, and anyone who does not pay the Program Fee on or before the due date may incur a $25 late fee after 15 days of non payment. Failure to pay Program Fees may result in dismissal of the participant from the program.