YOUTH PROTECTION WEEK

Nothing is more important than the safety of the children Kiwanis serves. That’s why Kiwanis International dedicates a week each year to youth protection. In 2026, Youth Protection Week is October 5-9. During this time, Kiwanis clubs should take the opportunity to conduct important youth protection training and evaluate the club’s compliance.  

Kiwanis clubs are required to educate members annually on Kiwanis Youth Protection Policies & Procedures. The resources available during Youth Protection Week make it easy for your club to meet this prerequisite. Kiwanis clubs can host in-person or virtual training for all members of the club who are:  

• Using the Youth Protection Policy training for Kiwanis clubs PowerPoint presentation PDF.  
• Viewing the Youth Protection Policy training for Kiwanis clubs recording.

We appreciate your club’s efforts during Youth Protection Week and the commitment you share to protecting youth.

Educate members 

Take time during the week to train members on youth protection during a Kiwanis club meeting. Club members also can use our online resources to complete the training on their own.  

After your club completes training for the 2025-26 Kiwanis year, your club secretary should update the reporting dashboard.

Other information and resources:  

• List of Kiwanis District Youth Protection managers. 
• Youth protection training slide deck. 
• Youth Protection policies and procedures . 
• Frequently asked questions about background checks. 
• How to access Praesidium Academy youth protection and child abuse prevention online courses.
• Information about Kiwanis’ dedicated, confidential Youth Protection Helpline.

Join a live webinar

Kiwanis International hosts youth protection webinars for members, officers, volunteers and chaperones who serve with Service Leadership Programs (SLPs).

Monday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET: Know. Protect. Respond.

Understanding Kiwanis youth protection, training for Service Leadership Programs administrators, advisors and chaperones.

K-12th grade Service Leadership Programs district administrators, advisors and chaperones are encouraged to attend this training webinar. We will review Kiwanis youth protection policies and how to apply them to your local SLP clubs.

Tuesday, October 6 at 8 p.m. ET: Get Educated!

Understanding Kiwanis Youth Protection policies and training club members.

Each new Kiwanis program year requires local clubs to review youth protection policies and procedures. Use this time to educate your Kiwanis club members and club-sponsored advisors on how to protect our SLP members. Led by Melissa McMann, SLP Education and Training team.

Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET: Youth protection policies and safety at Key Leader events

A session for Key Leader district chairs, coordinators and chaperones.

Key Leader events — whether weekend programs held at outdoor overnight camps or one-day programs hosted at schools or community centers — carry elevated risks related to participant safety, peer‑to‑peer boundary concerns and potential behavioral incidents. District leaders and chaperones will have the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and collaborate on best practices for managing safety at both overnight and daylong Key Leader events.

Thursday, October 8 at 8 p.m. ET: Get Educated!

How to involve your Kiwanis district on youth protection policies. 

Hear how Kiwanis youth protection managers and district administrators for Key Club and Circle K International are supporting and implementing Kiwanis youth protection policies and guidelines. Learn how your district can protect youth in our SLPs.