AFS uses a “blanket” waiver system within the AFS network giving sending parents an opportunity before the program starts to tell AFS what specific activities they will allow you to participate in and specifically any activities in which you are NOT allowed to participate. The Activity Waiver should be filled out and provided to the AFS partner office in your home country, so that it can be included in your online application to AFS-USA.
The goal of the waiver is to help your parents understand that there are many types of common activities that you may participate in while on the AFS program. AFS cannot name every activity that you may have the opportunity to participate in. Your parents are therefore given a list that represents a number of common activities that you can participate in here in the United States to help them decide what sorts of activities they will allow you to partake in while on the AFS program.
AFS requires a “Supplemental Activity Waiver” for activities that are considered riskier and are not covered through the Activity Waiver signed prior to participation on program. Please speak with your liaison to inquire if a Supplemental Waiver is needed for an activity that you would like to participate in.
Activities covered by this Waiver include but are not limited to:
- Passenger in a car, shuttle van or bus, in conjunction with normal program activity, including transportation to and from school, extra-curricular activities, and orientation events and enrichment activities arranged by AFS, passenger in a host family recreational vehicle (motorhome or camper).
- Outdoor Activities such as: horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, sandboarding.
- Team and/or School Sports such as: all school sports such as American football, baseball, basketball, hockey, rugby, lacrosse, track & field, wrestling.
- Water Sports such as: swimming, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, water parks, water skiing/tubing.
- Winter Sports such as: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, sledding/tobogganing, snowboarding, snow tubing.
- Other Activities such as: laser tag, martial arts, roller-skating, skateboarding, rappelling/rock climbing (indoor).
Prohibited Activities for ALL students
These activities are not covered by the AFS Medical Plan and participants may not engage in them under any circumstances:
- Professional athletics
- Hang gliding, paragliding or parachuting
- Military training exercises (includes ROTC activities)
- Piloting or serving as a crew member in any aircraft
- Passenger in a non-commercial aircraft*
*There may be exceptions to this exclusion. Please inquire with Support staff. Further, AFS prohibits students from engaging in any activity that would require the student to have a license to operate (such as driving a car).
Prohibited Activities for CBYX, FLEX and YES Students (Government-Sponsored Programs)
- Exchange students participating in the CBYX, FLEX, and YES programs are prohibited from driving any motorized vehicle under any circumstances. This restriction applies even if the student possesses an international driver’s license or if the host family considers the student to be a safe and responsible driver.
- Students are also prohibited from flying any aircraft under any circumstances.
- CBYX, FLEX, and YES students are not permitted to handle firearms.
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Effective August 2025, students are not permitted to ride as passengers on recreational vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-road vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, or similar motorized recreational vehicles.
- If a recreational vehicle is absolutely necessary for transportation and no other option exists, special permission on a case-by-case basis must be requested from AFS & the U.S. Department of State (ECA). Approval may or may not be approved as determined by the Department of State. Please contact your AFS liaison, or program specialist staff for these inquiries.
Students must adhere to all safety precautions and legal limitations. Violations of these policies may result in program dismissal.
Examples of Activities Requiring a Supplemental Waiver
(THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST)
Before engaging in a high-risk activity, please contact your Liaison for guidance on whether the activity will be approved and/or if a Supplemental Activity Waiver is required. Examples of activities that require an additional waiver include:
- Operator or passenger of a snowmobile, farm equipment, motorcycle, trike, scooter, quad bike, ATV, etc. (Not Permitted for YES/FLEX & CBYX Students)
- Handling of weapons (guns, air guns, bows, swords, knives etc.) and shooting, hunting, practicing with them (this includes attendance at gun shows where the participant has an opportunity to handle weapons)**.
- Scuba diving (with proper certification).
- Kite surfing, parasailing, bungee jumping, and trapezing.
- Whitewater activities.
- Caving/spelunking.
- Activities that call for interaction with non-domesticated animals (such as swimming with dolphins).
- Hot air balloon ride.
- Paintball.
- Deep-sea fishing/ice fishing.
- Sled dogs.
Please see the Resources Section for a copy of the Activity Waiver, Supplemental Waiver and AFS Medical Plan pamphlets.
**FLEX, CBYX and YES students are NOT allowed to use firearms (such as at shooting ranges for example).
If your host family owns firearms, or has firearms on their property, they have agreed to safe storage, training, supervision, and special permission requirements. If you receive permission to use a firearm via a Supplemental Activity Waiver, you may only do so after undergoing appropriate training on firearm safety and only when properly supervised by an adult.