By requesting a JA program, I agree to the following:

Volunteer Screening and School Requirements 

JABC screens business volunteers in accordance with JA Canada's National Screening Protocol and JABC volunteer screening requirements. Screening includes an onboarding interview and reference check(s), with additional screening, including Criminal Record Checks, completed where required. 

I am responsible for confirming any additional volunteer screening, visitor, or other requirements established by my school or school district and for advising JABC of those requirements before a volunteer is placed. 

Educator Presence and Student Supervision 

I, or another teacher authorized by my school, will remain present during JABC volunteer-led classroom sessions and will retain responsibility for student supervision, classroom management, and student conduct. 

JABC volunteers are guests supporting the educational program and do not replace the supervising educator. 

Communication and Program Changes 

I will communicate with JABC staff and assigned volunteer(s) in a timely manner. 

I will promptly advise JABC of cancellations, significant schedule changes, changes in participating class size, or other circumstances that may affect the safe or successful delivery of the program. 

Volunteer Appreciation 

Recognizing the importance of appreciation in business and in our communities, I will encourage students to thank their guest volunteer(s) at the conclusion of the program through an appropriate expression of appreciation, such as a card, note, verbal thank-you, or another creative acknowledgement. 

Student Surveys 

I will provide students with the opportunity to complete JABC's short student survey at the conclusion of the program and encourage their participation. Student survey participation is voluntary and helps JABC measure program impact and continuously improve its programs. 

Survey administration and the collection of information will be subject to JABC privacy requirements and applicable school or school district policies. 

Additional Responsibilities for JA Company Program In-School and Business of Our Own 

JA Company Program and Business of Our Own provide students with a hands-on opportunity to develop and operate a student business venture as part of their learning experience. 

Because students may develop products or services, manage money, market their venture, and sell to customers, educators delivering Company Program or Business of Our Own assume additional responsibilities. 

School and District Requirements 

I understand that Company Program and Business of Our Own activities remain school-based educational activities. 

I will ensure that student company activities comply with applicable school and school district policies and approval requirements, including those related to: 

  • student safety and supervision
  • commercial activity, fundraising, or sales
  • food and beverage sales
  • allergy and anaphylaxis procedures
  • financial handling
  • technology, privacy, and social media
  • field trips and off-site activities
  • use of school facilities and equipment

Where a school or school district requirement is more restrictive than JABC program guidance, the school or district requirement will apply. 

Student Company Status 

Student companies are educational ventures created as part of Company Program or Business of Our Own. 

Participation in Company Program or Business of Our Own does not make students employees, agents, or representatives of JABC, and student companies are not authorized to enter into agreements or make commitments on behalf of JABC. 

Product and Service Approval 

Student companies must receive educator approval before committing significant funds, manufacturing or purchasing products for resale, or beginning sales. 

Products or services that may present additional safety, legal, reputational, or regulatory considerations may also require review or approval by JABC. 

Educators should contact JABC before allowing students to proceed where there is uncertainty about the suitability of a proposed product, service, sales activity, or business model. 

Student companies may not manufacture, market, distribute, or sell products or services that are prohibited by law, JABC, the school, or the school district, or that create an unreasonable health or safety risk. 

Restricted or prohibited products may include, but are not limited to: 

  • alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vaping, or controlled substances
  • weapons or weapon-like products
  • hazardous chemicals or materials
  • supplements, medicines, or other regulated ingestible products
  • counterfeit merchandise or products that infringe intellectual property rights
  • sexually explicit or otherwise school-inappropriate products
  • other products identified by JABC, the school, or the school district as unsuitable for student sale

Food and Beverage Sales 

Student companies selling food or beverages must comply with applicable school, school district, provincial, and local requirements. 

Food Sold at School 

Food and beverages sold to students at school must comply with the Province of British Columbia's Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in B.C. Schools and any additional requirements established by the school or school district. 

Commercially Packaged Food 

Commercially prepared and packaged food may be sold where permitted by the school or school district. 

Food removed from larger commercial packaging may be sold individually only when each item remains in its original sealed manufacturer's packaging. Examples may include individually wrapped granola bars, packaged popcorn or chips, bottled beverages, or individually wrapped fruit and vegetable bars. 

Food Safety, Allergies and Anaphylaxis 

All food-related activities must comply with applicable school and school district food-safety, allergy, and anaphylaxis policies and procedures. 

Educators must consider known student allergies and any additional school requirements before approving a food-related student company. 

JABC does not inspect, prepare, manufacture, approve, or certify food products produced or sold by student companies and cannot guarantee the safety of those products. 

Students should not prepare or sell homemade, perishable, potentially hazardous, or temperature-controlled food products unless specifically permitted by JABC and the school or school district and all applicable food-safety requirements have been satisfied. 

Cosmetics and Personal-Care Products 

Cosmetics and personal-care products, including items such as soaps, lip balms, creams, lotions, bath products, fragrances, or similar products, may be subject to additional health, safety, labelling, and regulatory requirements. 

Students must not manufacture or formulate cosmetics or personal-care products for sale without prior approval from JABC and their educator. 

Commercially manufactured and properly packaged personal-care products may be considered for resale where permitted by JABC and the school or school district. 

JABC does not inspect, manufacture, test, certify, or guarantee cosmetic or personal-care products produced or sold by student companies. 

Financial Activities 

Student-company finances are an important part of the Company Program and Business of Our Own learning experiences and must be managed responsibly. 

I will ensure that student-company funds are handled in accordance with JABC program requirements and applicable school or school district financial policies. 

Students may participate in budgeting, purchasing, revenue collection, record keeping, and other financial activities as part of the program under educator supervision. 

Students must not independently: 

  • open bank or financial accounts on behalf of JABC
  • enter into contracts on behalf of JABC
  • incur debt or other financial obligations on behalf of JABC or the school
  • represent that JABC guarantees the debts, obligations, products, or services of the student company

Any JABC-provided seed funding must be used and accounted for in accordance with JABC Company Program or Business of Our Own requirements. 

Online Sales, Marketing and Social Media 

Student companies may use digital tools to support their ventures where permitted by JABC and the school or school district. 

Use of websites, social media, e-commerce platforms, online payment tools, email marketing, digital advertising, or other online services must comply with: 

  • JABC program requirements
  • school and school district technology and privacy policies
  • applicable platform age requirements
  • applicable privacy and consumer-protection requirements

Students should not collect unnecessary personal information from customers. 

Students must not publicly share personal contact information, home addresses, or other sensitive student information as part of their company activities. 

Educators should review student-company public-facing content and digital activities as appropriate for the age of the students and school or district requirements. 

Markets, Events and Off-Site Sales 

Participation in Company Program or Business of Our Own does not in itself constitute school or school district approval for students to participate in an off-site market, event, field trip, or sales activity. 

Any off-site activities involving students remain subject to applicable school or district requirements regarding: 

  • approval
  • parent or guardian consent
  • supervision
  • transportation
  • student conduct
  • field-trip or off-site activity procedures

Where JABC organizes or facilitates a student market or event, JABC will provide participating educators with any additional event-specific requirements. 

Health, Safety and Responsible Business Practices 

Student safety takes priority over the commercial success of a student venture. 

I will work with students to identify and address reasonably foreseeable risks associated with their proposed product, service, manufacturing process, sales activity, or event. 

Student companies are expected to operate ethically and responsibly and to comply with applicable laws, school and school district policies, and JABC program requirements. 

JABC may require a student company to modify or discontinue a product, service, activity, or business practice that JABC determines is inconsistent with program requirements or presents an unreasonable safety, legal, or reputational risk. 

Questions or Uncertain Situations 

Company Program and Business of Our Own are designed to encourage creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, and not every possible student business idea can be anticipated in advance. 

Educators are encouraged to contact JABC before students commit significant funds or begin selling whenever there is uncertainty about whether a product, service, sales method, event, or other company activity is appropriate. 

By requesting JA Company Program In-School or Business of Our Own, I acknowledge these responsibilities and agree to support my students in operating their student company in accordance with JABC program requirements and applicable school and school district policies. 

Updated September, 2026