Waivers for Participation in Orienteering USA Events

Below are 5 sample waivers that can be used for Orienteering USA events. All participants must sign a waiver, whether it is for a year-long time period (the annual membership in the member club) or for each event or, in some cases, series of events. Clubs MUST have signing the waiver as a standard practice and if the participant is under 18 years old the waiver MUST be signed by a parent or guardian.

Please remember that waivers are required by our insurance carrier but in various states have varying value in a court of law. Waivers are just a starting point if there is trouble.

The waivers included are:

1) Long waiver that is very inclusive although some people and clubs believe that it is too long and may not be read.

2) Short version of the waiver which covers all points and may be read in its entirety.

You should use either #1 or #2 for the people who have not signed any waiver (given below) that deal with groups or club members.

The following waivers allow the signer to attend multiple events. These waivers and methods of dealing with waivers may help Clubs where juniors attend multiple meets and will allow the parent or guardian to sign one waiver for multiple events.

3) Waiver for a school group or scout group where the participants become members of an OUSA Member Club for a period of a year and come to a series of events. This particularly pertains to minor participants who need parental or guardian signatures.

4) Waiver for groups where they may come to more than one event over a period of weeks. They don’t become members of the OUSA Member Club but participate in more than one event. This makes it easier to get the parent or guardian signatures.

Waiver #5 can be used by clubs to have a club member waive their rights for an entire year. This may make things easier although you have to know who your club members are at registration. If you don’t have accurate lists, use the #1 or #2 waiver.

5) Waiver to be used for members of an OUSA Member Club so that when they become a member of the club, they also sign a waiver that will allow them to participate for that membership year without signing another waiver.

You should also note that #1 and #2 can be dealt with in the following way:

The waiver can be on one page and another sheet of paper can refer to the waiver language (right next to the sheet) and multiple names can be written on that sheet of paper, all effectively signing the waiver. That sheet of paper would read as on the next page.

The idea is that more than one person can sign a given piece of paper and that it refers to the waiver. This form can be modified to suit your purposes such as deleting the car and telephone information or adding email address, etc. It may be that you can include all the information on one line.

Also note that you can add language as desired to allow photos of the individuals to be used for promotional purposes. You can also add specific language to deal with specific issues related to a particular event or club policy.

By signing below, I accept the Waiver that is presented by the Orienteering USA Member Club.

Printed Name Signature Date Phone number License plate (Parent or guardian (where we can
if under 18) call you today)

______

Version 1 Detailed Version

This waiver can be used for non-club members or Orienteering USA Club members who have not signed a waiver. It is possible to have your club members all sign a “year-long” waiver (see #5) but until they have done that, then they would have to sign this waiver.

Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement

In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in the Orienteering USA member club events, I and/or my minor child, our personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin:

1. Acknowledge, agree, and represent that I and/or my minor child understand the nature of orienteering activities and that I and/or my minor child are qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activity. I further agree that if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I and/or my minor child will immediately discontinue further participation in the activity.

2. Fully understand that (a) orienteering activities involve risks and dangers of serious injury or in extreme cases, death. (risks) (b) these risks and dangers may be caused by me and/or my child's own actions, or inaction, or the actions or inaction of others participating in the activity, the condition in which the activity takes place, or the negligence of the “releasees” named below; (c) there may be other risks either not known to me or not readily foreseeable, and I fully accept all such risks and responsibility for losses, costs and damages, I and/or my minor child incur as a result of my participation in the Activity.

3. Hereby accept and assume all such risks, and assume all responsibility for the losses, costs and/or damages following such injury, or death, even if caused in whole or in part, by the negligence of the “releases” named below.

4. Hereby release, discharge and covenant not to sue the member club, their respective administrators, directors, agents, officers, officials, volunteers, and employees, other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, Orienteering USA, host third party operators and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, (each considered one of the "releasees" herein) from all liability, claims, demands, losses or damages on my account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the “releases” or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations, and I further agree that if, despite this release and waiver of liability, assumption of risk and indemnity agreement I and/or my minor child, or anyone on my and/or my minor child's behalf, makes a claim against any of the releasees I will indemnify, save and hold harmless each of the releases from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage, or cost which may incur as the result of such claim.

5. I have read this agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and have signed it freely without the inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.

Event Site: ______

______

Signature of Participant Print Name Date

______

Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian Print Name of Minor Child Date

(If Participant is under age 18)

Telephone______Vehicle License Plate______State _____

(where we can contact you today if needed) (of the vehicle you arrived in today)

Version 2 - Short Version – Spells out risks and may be more apt to be read than Version 1. Your club can decide whether they use Version 1 or Version 2.

Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement

In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in the Orienteering USA member club events, I and/or my minor child, our personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin:

1. I acknowledge that I understand that there are risks associated with orienteering activities and that I am in good health and if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the activity. The risks may cause minor injuries, serious injuries or in extreme circumstances even death.

2. I understand that the risks associated with orienteering may be caused by me through my own actions, or inaction, or the actions or inaction of others participating in the activity and that there may be other risks either not known to me or not readily foreseeable. I fully accept all such risks and responsibility for losses, costs and damages, I incur as a result of my participation in the Activity.

3. I hereby accept and assume all such risks, and assume all responsibility for the losses, costs and/or damages following such injury, or death, even if caused in whole or in part, by the negligence of any and all of those involved with the running of the event and hold them harmless.

4. I have read this agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and have signed it freely without the inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.

Event Site: ______

______

Signature of Participant Print Name Date

______

Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian Print Name of Minor Child Date

(If Participant is under age 18)

Telephone______Vehicle License Plate______State _____

(where we can contact you today if needed) (of the vehicle you arrived in today)

Version 3 - Year-long participation of member

This version of the waiver can be used by a Member Club who accepts junior members for a school year. The time period goes through July 31st so it relates to a school year. This allows a parent to sign the form once rather than for each meet.

Sample waiver for school group……. Add other appropriate information, and replace the XXX’s with the name of your club.

Waiver and Permission to Participate

Must be signed by parent or guardian for each applicant

In consideration of the acceptance of this application, intending to be legally bound, I do hereby for the applicant, his parents/guardians, heirs, executors and administrators, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against the United States Orienteering Federation/Orienteering USA, the XXXXXX Orienteering Club and its members, the school and/or scout group sponsoring this membership, and other public and private land owners and lessees, their representatives, successors, and assigns for any injuries resulting from events from the date of this application through the following July 31st. I further attest that I recognize that participation in orienteering events may pose a risk of injury. The risks may cause minor injuries, serious injuries or in extreme circumstances even death. I also understand that the risks associated with orienteering may be caused by the participant through his or her own actions, or inaction, or the actions or inaction of others participating in the activity and that there may be other risks either not known or not readily foreseeable. I also attest that that my son or daughter is physically fit, able and qualified to participate in orienteering events.

This waiver is for the set period of time outlined above but if I determine after one of these events that I have concern about further participation by my child, I will not allow my child to participate.

Name of applicant______

Name of parent/guardian ______

SIGNATURE parent/guardian ______

Version 4 – For school or scout groups for a number of events.

This waiver allows for a group to send their kids to a series of orienteering events and parents only need to sign one waiver for all the events that are included.

Sample waiver for groups coming to a number of events……. Add other appropriate information and replace the XXX’s with the name of your club.

Waiver and Permission to Participate

Must be signed by parent or guardian for each applicant

In consideration of the acceptance of this application, intending to be legally bound, I do hereby for the applicant, his parents/guardians, heirs, executors and administrators, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against the United States Orienteering Federation/Orienteering USA, the XXXXXXX Orienteering Club and its members, the school and/or scout group sponsoring this membership, and other public and private land owners and lessees, their representatives, successors, and assigns for any injuries resulting from events on the dates listed below. . I further attest that I recognize that participation in orienteering events may pose a risk of injury. The risks may cause minor injuries, serious injuries or in extreme circumstances even death. I also understand that the risks associated with orienteering may be caused by the participant through his or her own actions, or inaction, or the actions or inaction of others participating in the activity and that there may be other risks either not known or not readily foreseeable. I also attest that that my son or daughter is physically fit, able and qualified to participate in orienteering events.

This waiver is for the following events and if I determine after one of these events that I have concern about further participation by my child, I will not allow my child to participate.

Event #1

Event #2

Event #3

Etc.