Minors & Shop Access | Makerspace Al Zeina

Minors & Shop Access Policies

Youth as young as 8 years of age can become Makerspace members and have access to classes and equipment!

For the safety of everyone in our Makerspace community, please note that all member responsibilities, safety guidelines, rules, shop etiquette, and policies outlined in the Makerspace Membership Agreement also apply to our members from 8 years and older (You will receive the agreement, when signing up for a membership).

As there are different levels of inherent risk in both the environment and the operation of Makerspace's various tools and equipment, designated shop areas and classes have varying age minimums, and some equipment requires successful completion of a Safety and Basic Use (SBU) class prior to independent use.

Allowances by Age Groups

< 8 years

Minors under 8 years of age are NOT eligible for membership but can attend special events and facility tours under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult.
They may not utilise any equipment and areas of the shop, not even under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult.

8 to 11 years

Minors 8 to 11 must be on the Soft Arts Access Membership and under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult at all times while on-site. Minors are NOT allowed in the Hard Arts Areas at all.
Minors are permitted to attend selective classes in Soft Arts Areas, when under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult.
Minors may utilise designated equipment in Soft Arts Areas ONLY under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult.

12 to 14 years

Minors 12 to 14 can get any membership (Access will vary depending on the desired workshop area).
Minors can take classes and access the Soft Arts Areas independently. They may utilise designated equipment in the Soft Arts Areas independently once they have passed the required SBUs.
Minors are only allowed in the Hard Arts Areas under supervision from a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult. Any class in the Hard Arts Areas must be taken under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult. They may utilise designated equipment in the Hard Arts Areas ONLY under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult.

15 to 17 years

Minors 15 to 17 can get any membership and are allowed everywhere in the shop.
They can take any class independently and may utilise any equipment and area of the shop independently once they have passed the required SBUs.

Supervised & Solo Class Participation

Youth in Classes

All members, including minors, must take and pass a Safety and Basic Use (SBU) class in order to access selected tools and equipment.
Our equipment has minimum age requirements for youth participating in classes.
Makerspace Staff are NOT supervisors of minors (exceptions are made in our Youth Programs).

Supervised

Classes highlighted in the Supervised Age Groups - 8 to 11 and 12 to 14 - indicate that minors are permitted to participate in those classes while under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or approved adult.
Adults supervising minors, must take and pass the SBU class alongside the minor, for all pieces of equipment they will be utilising.
Supervising adults must pay for their seats at a reduced rate (exceptions will be made for adults who have previously taken the class.

Solo

Classes highlighted in the Solo Age Groups - 12 to 14 and 15 years and above - indicate that minors are permitted to participate in those classes without parental supervision.

Liability Waiver

All minors (including guests of members) must have a Waiver and Release of Liability signed by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult before they will be allowed to attend classes or work on-site.