Holt Lacrosse aims to advance involvement in the sport and create opportunity for youth. Community involvement and the goal of having a safe and supportive environment for the younger generation is at the heart of any program. That includes knowledge of local laws and regulations, and an understanding of how those may impact youth events. Knowledge of the rules surrounding alcohol consumption is crucial for teams taking youth trips. For example, a team traveling from an area where the drinking age is 18 may not realize that the legal drinking age in Key West, Florida, is 21. While the national minimum legal drinking age is 21, there are areas such as Panama and Guatemala in which the legal drinking age is 18 or slightly lower. The situation may be different in other parts of Florida. Teams should research to determine the rules governing their travel destination.

Potential legal issues for your team when visiting Key West

There are local laws that should not be discussed. Laws may have been around long enough that few people think about them. Key West has curfews regarding the time young people can be on the street. That means youth on a trip to Key West should know where they need to be and when. Youth sporting events may have curfews as well. A young person who doesn’t follow the curfews could receive a citation for being out beyond the allowed time. That’s not something that you can simply pay off. It’s a legal citation that has to be addressed. There may be locations of change. Maybe it’s the restaurants because of their liquor licenses or the curfew of the hotel. A team might stay at a hotel that has a bar in the lobby. A team must then make sure that everyone understands the rules regarding the accepting property, because the rules may be different anywhere outside of their hometown.

Strategies for educating young athletes of legal expectations

It’s a good idea to educate young people of legal expectations before going on a trip or traveling for sporting events. This could be taught directly in school or during a mandatory meeting with parents, players, and coaches. Education efforts shouldn’t simply come from parents, as children may rebel against their parents and do the opposite. You want to make sure that those in charge of your trip understand what should be expected during your travels. Make sure you inform the families traveling of any local laws that may apply. They need to be made aware that while they are traveling with the team, that they are still responsible for their actions. There should be no different expectations when they are out of town. Traveling parents should research local laws and regulations to learn what to expect. That way, parents can review the rules with their kids and set appropriate expectations for the adults.

How parents can support compliance with local regulations

Communicating is one of the most important things a parent can do. Parents should be supportive of those supervising the trip and sports event. They should be on the same page regarding any local laws and regulations. If there is a curfew, then parents should talk to their kids about the importance of getting back to the hotel at the appropriate time. If parents are not clear about these rules, then kids may begin causing trouble if they are caught breaking the rules.

The role of coaches in promoting safe and legal behavior during trips

Coaches can communicate the message that legal issues shouldn’t be considered when traveling for a sports event. Coaches can be directly in charge of a trip or travel along with a different team. There should still be positive parenting in the way coaches handle everything. They should think of themselves as another set of parents for the kids. They should understand that there are certain things that teens don’t always tell their parents about.

Benefits of partnering with legal professionals for guidance

Because many kids deal with local laws and regulations, like the legal drinking age in Key West, Florida, it’s important to have someone with knowledge on the matter available during the trip. In addition to working with the city and hotels, coaches may want to consider teaming up with local legal professionals who can provide guidance to parents, coaches, and youths. Some teams may travel together and need local accommodations. In that case, they may need a lawyer who knows the area and who can guide coaches on what to really expect during their trip.

Examples of successful educational programs integrated into teams

Some teams invite local businesses to come and speak to youngsters about the rules. This is a way that kids can learn about exactly what is expected of them. Parents can even chime in as well to provide more information to those young people.

The impact to young people by the legal drinking age in Key West, Florida

The legal drinking age in Key West, Florida, is something that teams need to consider. If a team ignores this law, they could face repercussions in the area for disregarding. As part of the education program prior to a trip, it’s important to stress how there may be different local laws. It’s important to have safety measures in place to ensure that young people are kept out of trouble. Students should understand how legal issues might impact them. While some young people aren’t always aware of how important it is to follow the law, it’s vital for them to understand the potential consequences.

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