Sweet Tea and Chai Society
Safe. Supervised. Worth Showing Up For
What parents need to know about Sweet Tea & Chai Society.
What is it?
Substance-free, phone-free pop-up experiences designed to help teens feel connected and less alone. Each event features interactive activities in a safe, supervised environment.
Who can attend?
Teens aged 13 to 19.
How We Know It's Working?
We check in with teens and parents after every event. Our goals are that at least 80% of teens report a sense of belonging and at least 90% of parents feel confident in our safety and supervision. We take this feedback seriously and use it to improve every event.
Cost
$5–10 per event. Sliding scale available. No teen is turned away due to inability to pay.
What should my teen bring?
Nothing required. Phones will be collected and stored safely during the event."
What if my teen needs mental health support?
Our facilitators are trained to recognize when a teen may need additional support. If that happens, we listen, connect them with appropriate resources, and notify a parent or guardian as needed. STACS is not a clinical provider and does not offer therapy or crisis services directly.
Program Basics
Safety and Supervision
We take safety seriously. Here's what that means:
Trained Facilitators
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All facilitators complete mandatory training before their first event.
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Training includes child safety, mandatory reporting, youth mental health first aid, and behavior management.
Background Checks
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All staff and volunteers complete background checks through the NC State Bureau of Investigation before working with participants.
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Child abuse and neglect registry checks are also conducted.
Supervision Ratios
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Minimum 1 adult per 10 teen participants.
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Higher ratios (1 per 6) for physical activity events.
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Two-adult rule: no single adult is ever alone with a single teen.
First Aid & Emergency Preparedness
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At least one First Aid/CPR certified person on site at every event.
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Emergency protocols and contact procedures in place.