Standards of Conduct

At Farm & Forge, we’re building more than athletes and scholars; we’re forging people who are resilient, courageous, and ready to make a positive impact. Growth isn’t easy. Nothing worth achieving comes without effort, discipline, and the courage to push past limits. That’s why our community is built on shared values and mutual respect. All participants, including students, athletes, parents, and anyone joining in Farm & Forge programs, are expected to uphold these Standards of Conduct in alignment with our mission and core values.

Farm & Forge is proud to be represented by its members, participants, and their families both on and off the Farm & Forge property. Accordingly, except where otherwise specified in this Standards of Conduct, Farm & Forge members, participants, and family members are expected to adhere to this Standards of Conduct whenever they are representing Farm & Forge, whether or not they are on Farm & Forge property, including at all times when wearing Farm & Forge apparel.

This Standards of Conduct applies to:

• Youth members
• Adult members
• Parents, guardians, and family members of minor participants
• Any individual participating in or attending Farm & Forge programs, events, or activities

This Standards of Conduct includes some specific examples of prohibited conduct. These examples are just that: illustrative examples. Farm & Forge maintains total discretion to issue discipline, up to and including exclusion from its programs, for violations of this policy, whether or not the conduct at issue is specifically listed in this policy.

Section I: General Expectations of all Participants, Parents, and Guests

Respect and Integrity
Treat all players, staff, coaches, and volunteers with courtesy, kindness, and respect at all times. Physical, verbal, or emotional abuse, bullying, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. Use language that is positive and constructive; avoid profanity, slurs, gossip, or derogatory remarks about others.

Safety and Conduct
Violence, fighting, threats, or destruction or damage of property are strictly prohibited. The purposeful or negligent destruction or damage of Farm & Forge property may result in discipline, including liability for the cost of the damage.

Participants, parents, guests, and employees (with the exception of authorized Farm & Forge security personnel) are strictly prohibited from bringing weapons, including firearms, on Farm & Forge property or during any program activity. Further, illegal substances, drugs, alcohol, and/or tobacco (including vapes or e-cigarettes) are not permitted on Farm & Forge property or during any program activity.

Individuals may not participate in programming under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or illicit substances. Notwithstanding this general rule, Farm & Forge may from time to time sponsor social or programming-related events at which alcohol is served. This policy does not prohibit the lawful use or consumption of alcohol by individuals over 21 years of age at such events. However, if a participant, parent, or guest who is over the age of 21 chooses to consume alcohol at such events, they must do so responsibly and maintain their obligation to conduct themselves properly and professionally at all times and with all others.

Bullying and Mistreatment
Farm & Forge has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, hazing, or any form of mistreatment, whether physical, verbal, social, or digital. Examples include physical aggression or intimidation, name-calling, gossip, exclusion, or humiliation, cyberbullying through text or social media, and sexualized jokes, gestures, or inappropriate contact. Any member engaging in these behaviors will face disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the program.

Appropriate Interactions
All individuals are expected to maintain respectful, appropriate boundaries with others while on Farm & Forge property or participating in Farm & Forge activities. Behavior of a sexual, explicit, or suggestive nature is not permitted in any form.

Physical contact must always be appropriate to the setting, age, and relationship between the individuals involved and should be respectful, brief, and non-disruptive. Appropriate contact may include gestures such as high-fives, handshakes, brief side hugs, or similar interactions commonly associated with sports, education, and community environments. Normal, age-appropriate expressions of affection between parents or guardians and their own children are permitted.

Inappropriate physical contact includes, but is not limited to, hitting, striking, wrestling, lap sitting, prolonged or excessive hugging, kissing, or any contact that is sexualized, coercive, unsafe, or makes another person uncomfortable. Any physical interaction that raises safety or boundary concerns will be addressed by Farm & Forge staff.

Electronic and Online Communication
All communication by and between individuals and staff must be professional, appropriate, and respectful. Direct private messaging between minors and staff is not permitted; a “Rule of Three” (at least two adults copied or present whenever a minor participant is on an online or text message) must be observed. If a minor needs to communicate with a staff member via text or instant message, they should do so only during standard operating hours (8am–7pm) and with a parent/guardian or an additional coach or adult included on the message.

Individuals should not share or access others’ devices while participating in Farm & Forge activities.

All individuals are expected to communicate about Farm & Forge, its programs, and its community in a respectful, accurate, and professional manner, including on social media, messaging platforms, and other online forums. Online conduct that is harassing, threatening, defamatory, misleading, or intended to intimidate or harm others is not permitted. Individuals may not use digital platforms to escalate disputes, attack or disparage Farm & Forge, its staff, coaches, teachers, volunteers, members, or families, or to undermine the safety, integrity, or learning environment of the organization. Farm & Forge respects the right to express concerns or provide feedback; however, concerns related to programming, staff, or operations should be raised through appropriate internal channels so they can be addressed constructively and promptly.

Notwithstanding the above, nothing in this policy limits or prohibits an individual from making truthful statements in the event the individual is communicating with, or participating in a legal proceeding before or an investigation by, a state or federal government agency or court; in response to a court-issued subpoena or order; or as otherwise required by law.

Disruptive Behavior
Individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports the learning and training environment. The following are prohibited: graffiti, littering, property damage, spitting, throwing objects, or engaging in behavior that distracts or endangers others. Any form of disruption that interferes with programming may result in disciplinary action.

Reporting Concerns
Creating a safe, positive environment is a shared responsibility. If you observe inappropriate behavior, unsafe conditions, or violations of these Standards, report them immediately to a Farm & Forge staff member or supervisor. You may also report concerns by calling or emailing hr@farmandforgeclub.com. All reports will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.

Disciplinary Action
Failure to comply with these Standards of Conduct or any Farm & Forge policies may result in disciplinary action, including verbal or written warnings, loss of privileges, suspension or removal from programming, or termination of membership. Farm & Forge reserves the right to remove any individual from participation or membership for violations of the Standards of Conduct, organizational policies, or behaviors inconsistent with our mission and values.

Once a violation is reported, the following steps will be taken:

• Incident will be escalated to the appropriate Farm & Forge representative(s) (Director/Coach/Teacher/HR or Disciplinary Committee)
• Farm & Forge representative(s) will schedule meeting with parent, player, or coach accused of conduct violation and allow the accused an opportunity to present their version of the facts at issue
• Farm & Forge representative(s) will review all the information gathered, determine the necessary action and notify the accused of final ruling OR escalate and make disciplinary recommendation to the Office of the President and/or Human Resources
• Office of the President and/or Human Resources will determine the necessary action and notify the accused of the final ruling

Policy Updates
Farm & Forge reserves the right to amend, modify, or update these Standards of Conduct and related policies at any time, with or without prior notice. Individuals are responsible for reviewing and complying with the most current version of all Farm & Forge policies. Continued participation or attendance in any Farm & Forge program or membership constitutes agreement to the Standards of Conduct and any future updates.

Section II: Adult Participant Expectations

Adult members, including adult athletes and participants, are held to the General Expectations outlined in Section I and are expected to model behavior consistent with Farm & Forge’s mission and values.

Adult members are further expected to:

• Serve as positive role models through respectful language, behavior, and emotional regulation.
• Follow all safety policies and refrain from participating while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prohibited substances.
• Respect the authority and direction of Farm & Forge staff, coaches, and leadership.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with youth members at all times.
• Use appropriate channels to raise concerns, questions, or feedback in a constructive and professional manner.
• Refrain from behavior that disrupts programming, undermines staff, or creates an unsafe or hostile environment.

Violations by adult members may result in disciplinary action, including loss of privileges, suspension, or termination of membership.

Section III: Youth Participant Expectations

Youth members of Farm & Forge are expected to conduct themselves in a way that supports personal growth, team success, and a safe, respectful environment for everyone. In addition to being held to the Universal Expectations outlined in Section I, youth members are expected to:

• Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, staff, volunteers, and guests with respect at all times.
• Follow instructions from Farm & Forge coaches, teachers, and staff promptly and respectfully.
• Participate with effort, focus, and a positive attitude, even during challenging moments.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship, including respect for opponents, officials, and outcomes.
• Use appropriate language and behavior. Profanity, insults, teasing, bullying, or exclusion are not permitted.
• Respect Farm & Forge facilities, equipment, and property and report damage or safety concerns to staff.
• Comply with all device and technology rules during programming.
• Maintain appropriate physical boundaries and interactions with others.
• Take responsibility for their actions and participate in resolving conflicts respectfully.

Restricted-Use Cell Phone and Personal Device Policy

Farm & Forge is a focused learning and training environment. To protect attention, support instruction and training, and uphold community standards, youth access to personal devices is prohibited while on Farm & Forge property or attending sponsored events, except in limited circumstances.

Personal devices brought to campus must remain stored, silenced, out of sight, or otherwise inaccessible at all times unless a faculty or staff member authorizes use for a specific purpose. Devices may not be used during training, recovery, lunch breaks, in tests or other assessments, in locker rooms, restrooms, changing areas, or treatment spaces, or to record, photograph, livestream, or capture audio of another person, lesson, session, or private conversation without permission. Social media, texting, entertainment, and other non-program use are not permitted.

Students may be permitted to access their phones or approved devices only when doing so aids in the academic or performance models established by Farm & Forge. Use for these purposes must be directed or approved by a coach, teacher, athletic trainer, or staff member and should last only as long as needed for that activity. This may include on-court systems, video tools, performance tracking apps, wearables, scheduling platforms, or other approved technology used to capture, review, or log personalized data.

Exceptions may be made for health monitoring with supporting documentation, emergencies, or at the direction of a Farm & Forge staff member, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you or your minor participant requires an exception to this policy, contact the front desk at (615) 967-0337.

Parents or guardians who need to reach their child during programming should contact the main office at (615) 967-0337. Staff will ensure that urgent messages are delivered promptly. When youth need to communicate with parents or guardians during restricted times, they should do so through the front desk or a faculty or staff member unless direct phone access has been approved.

Farm & Forge reserves the right to limit or prohibit device use at any time in order to protect learning, training quality, safety, privacy, and community standards.

Youth members who fail to follow these expectations will be supported through coaching, redirection, and age-appropriate discipline. Repeated or serious violations may result in loss of privileges, suspension, or removal from programming.

Section IV: Parent, Guardian, and Family Expectations

Farm & Forge is committed to creating a positive, supportive environment for youth development. Parents, guardians, and family members play a critical role in shaping that experience and are expected to uphold the following standards.

In addition to being held to the General Expectations outlined in Section I, parents, guardians, and family members are expected to:

• Support the mission, values, and purpose of Farm & Forge and its programming.
• Recognize that youth sports and educational experiences significantly impact a child’s character, confidence, and emotional well-being.
• Model respectful behavior and serve as positive role models for all youth participants.
• Treat coaches, staff, officials, other parents, and participants with courtesy and respect at all times.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship by applauding effort, growth, and teamwork rather than focusing solely on outcomes or playing time.
• Refrain from yelling instructions, criticizing players, coaches, officials, or other spectators during practices, games, or events.
• Accept wins, losses, and disappointments with composure and perspective.
• Allow coaches to coach and officials to officiate without interference.
• Address concerns or disagreements privately, respectfully, and away from youth participants, allowing time for emotions to cool before discussions occur.
• Follow established communication and escalation channels when raising concerns.
• Avoid public confrontation, harassment, or behavior that undermines the authority of Farm & Forge staff or the integrity of programming.

Violations of Standards of Conduct may result in removal from events, restriction of spectator privileges, or other corrective action. In serious or repeated cases, a parent or guardian’s behavior may impact a youth member’s continued participation in Farm & Forge programs.