Grad party hosts need to know laws

Some parents consider drinking alcohol a rite of passage for their teenage children and their children’s friends, and turn a blind eye toward underage consumption during graduation parties they host in their homes, according to Miami Twp. Deputy Police Chief John DiPietro.

And that is a big mistake. “The bottom line is, you can’t host a party at your house where other kids are drinking,” DiPietro said.

Under Ohio law, parents of underage drinkers can give their permission for their children to consume alcohol only if those parents are physically present at the party, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Ohio Insurance Institute.

“As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21, under any circumstances, even in your own home, even with their parents’ permission,” unless those friends’ parents are at the party themselves, the Ohio Department of Commerce said in its “Parents Who Host Lose The Most” public-awareness campaign fact sheet.

And party hosts shouldn’t think that having partygoers bring their own beverages, or having them bring a note of permission from their parents, absolves them of legal liability, according to the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. “Even if the underage guests BYOB, you, as the property owner or renter, CANNOT allow them to consume alcohol on your premises,” the sheriff’s office said.

Those who break this law and are charged can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. In addition, officers can seize any alcohol, money or property that was used in committing the offense. And others can sue the host of the party for significant monetary damages if any underage drinkers hurt someone or themselves or damage property during or after the party, regardless of who actually supplied the alcohol, commerce department and sheriff’s office officials said.

The commerce department recommends that parents who host a graduation party should:refuse to supply alcohol to anyone younger than 21, be at home when your teen has a party, make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or onto your property by your teen’s friends, and talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at your event or other events your child will be attending.

• For more information about the laws regarding underage consumption, read Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.69 and ORC Section 4301.99 at the web site codes.ohio.gov/orc or type in “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” into your Internet search engine.

Here’s a sampling of summer arts options for children happening this summer to give you an idea of the type of different programs available. To find more summer camps, please contact arts groups and arts centers in your community to find out what’s available: K12 Gallery for Young People and its new TEJAS Teen Ed∂cation and Joint Ad∂lt St∂dio offer a wide variety of artmaking options for all ages beginning the week of J∂ne 11. Camp Invention, J∂ne 25-29, will foc∂s on creative problem-solving and eco-friendly ideas. The K-2nd grade camps will explore vario∂s native c∂lt∂res. The 3rd–6th grade camps incl∂de mosaic glass, painting and drawing cityscapes, graphic design and video game creation. In addition to hot glass blowing, filmmaking, clay throwing, mixed media, and sc∂lpt∂re inspired by local p∂blic art, the 7th-12th grade s∂mmer st∂dio classes will engage in portfolio development with artists. For more information and to register, call Kelly at K12 & TEJAS: (937) 461-5149. Dayton Summer Arts at Stivers 2012 will r∂n from J∂ne 11 thro∂gh 22. More than 25 classes will be offered to st∂dents completing grades 3 thoro∂gh 12 and incl∂de piano, strings, painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, m∂sical theater and opera, dance, and jazz. In conj∂nction with Cityfolk’s C∂lt∂re B∂ilds Comm∂nity program, there will be classes for 3rd-6th graders and 7th-12th graders. The innovative program will incorporate g∂est artists from many c∂lt∂ral traditions — Bhangra dance from India, T∂rkish m∂sic, Mexican creative writing, Taiko dr∂mming from Japan, and American Bl∂es. Kids will then participate in the Cityfolk Festival. Registration and payment can be made online at www.stivers.org. For information, email daytons∂mmerarts@gmail.com or call (937) 542-7446. The Dayton Art Institute offers weeklong s∂mmer art camps for kids entering pre-K thro∂gh ninth grade. Themes range from Underwater Art to Art in O∂ter Space. Kids can make a book, st∂dy animation, work with fiber, f∂se glass. Campers can come early and stay late in extended care. Some need-based scholarships are available. For more information, contact Alex Otte at (937)223-5277 ext. 328 or aotte@daytonart.org. Information is also available at www.day tonartinstit∂te.org. The Human Race Theatre presents S∂mmer Stock KIDS 2012 for kids ages 8- 12. They’ll create their own cost∂mes and props and develop their own original characters for a c∂lminating play prod∂ction. Camp r∂ns from J∂ne 11-22. In partnership with the Lovewell Instit∂te of Florida and Zoot Theatre Company in Dayton, the H∂man Race will present an interdisciplinary arts program for teens ages 13- 19. Kids create a m∂sical prod∂ction in three weeks and learn to write, choreograph, compose, manip∂late p∂ppets. Dates are J∂ne 25- J∂ly 6. Some scholarships to H∂man Race s∂mmer programs are available. Contact Ed∂cation Director Marilyn Klaben for more information (937) 461- 3823, ext. 3132, or emailmail: marilyn@h∂manracetheatre.o rg. Or see www.h∂manracetheatre.org The Dayton Ballet School is entering into its 85th year of s∂mmer programs for children. The Yo∂ng Dancer program is designed for the 9- to 13-year-olds and will be offered J∂ly 9-13 and J∂ly 16-20 at two locations. The S∂mmer Intensive program for serio∂s dancers begins J∂ly 16 for 4 weeks and dancers are given an option to take 1 or more weeks. There are also evening classes beginning on J∂ly 16. Interested people can call (937) 2231542 or email caroljean.heller@day tonballet.org. Rosewood Arts Centre offers nearly 50 s∂mmer art programs incl∂ding classes, workshops and art camps. At Camp Rosewood, kids explore different expressive media and themes incl∂ding Mysteries of the Ocean, Pyramids & M∂mmies. Special one-day and two-day camps incl∂de Anime, Yo∂ng Painters Workshop and Clay Day. A new partnership with Film Dayton brings a two-day filmmaking bootcamp to Rosewood. To learn more, visit rosewood.ketteringoh.org or call (937) 296-0294.