FAQs: Join a YAC

On this page you can find answers to common questions about joining a YAC.

For practical information about leading a YAC please visit our Run a club page. If you have questions about volunteering with YAC visit our Become a volunteer page.

If you are looking for information about what archaeology is or have specific archaeological questions, please visit our Explore archaeology page.

What is YAC?

The Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) is the only UK-wide club where 8–16 year olds can participate in real archaeology and discover why it matters. YAC is co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and it comprises a growing network of local hands-on YAC branches across the UK, where young people can get involved in practical archaeology. If you want to become a professional archaeologist in the future or just feel like taking up an amazing new hobby, YAC is the right place for you! You can find the location of local clubs on our interactive map.

YAC also uses this website and an e-newsletter to keep young people and interested adults up-to-date with archaeological news and activities. Explore the website for ideas of hands-on activities, places to go, and competitions.

Who runs the local YAC clubs?

Most of our YAC clubs are run by teams of adult volunteers. At our CBA-managed branches, volunteers complete an application form and provide two references and undergo regular criminal record checks. Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds; some are professional archaeologists, others work in museums or schools.

Some of our YAC clubs are run in partnership with another organisation, such as a museum or heritage site. These YAC clubs might be run by a combination of paid staff and volunteers. 

We also have After-school YAC clubs which are run by teachers in both primary and secondary school settings.  

All of our YAC clubs offer the same types of awesome archaeological activities for young people!

How does YAC keep children safe?

The Council for British Archaeology works very hard to make sure that every child who attends a YAC club is safe, happy and well cared for.

This includes:

• Health and safety. Every YAC session is risk assessed and there is a trained First Aider at every session.
• Volunteer recruitment. Our YAC Leaders at CBA-managed branches go through an application process, including providing two references and regular criminal record checks. Our Leaders also sign up to YAC’s Code of Behaviour. Some YAC clubs are run by other established education providers, such as museums and schools and these are run by staff and volunteers who go through their organisation’s recruitment checks.
• Insurance. Our CBA-managed YAC groups are covered by the Council for British Archaeology’s Public Liability insurance to the value of £5 million and by its Employer’s Liability insurance to the value of £10 million. A copy of the insurance certificate is sent out to each CBA-managed club. Some YAC clubs are run by other established education providers, such as museums and schools, who provide their own insurance (checked by YAC-HQ). If you have any queries about insurance, please get in touch with YAC-HQ.
• Training and guidance. Our CBA-managed YAC clubs are provided with Child Protection and First Aid training, and guidance is available to all our clubs in our Handbook.
• Emergency support. YAC has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) based at the Council for British Archaeology, who is specially trained to support children, parents and volunteers if a child is thought to be at risk. If you have any concerns about a child or an adult involved in a YAC club please contact DSL Joanne Kirton: joannekirton@joannekirton.org
• Child Protection Policy. This is CBA’s full Child Protection Policy. More information is available here: Safeguarding

How often do YAC clubs meet and what do they do?

Most of our YAC clubs meet once a month, usually for two hours on a Saturday or Sunday with after-school YAC branches running on a weekday. Sometimes YAC clubs run whole-day events.

Our YAC clubs do all sorts of archaeological activities, including visiting and investigating archaeological sites and historic places, trying out traditional crafts, taking part in excavations, and lots more. Each club has a different programme of activities. Contact your local club to find out more.

Where do YAC clubs meet?

YAC clubs meet in a range of different places, including universities, museums, schools, and village halls. Some have a regular venue, some move around and use a different venue for each meeting. You will need to contact your local club to find out about where they are meeting.

Do I have to accompany my child to YAC meetings?

No. YAC meetings are just for children and young people aged 8–16. Your child will be well looked after by your local team of volunteers.

Speak to your local YAC team if you feel your child needs extra support to attend YAC sessions, and you would therefore prefer to stay with them. YAC volunteers are not able to help children with medical or personal care, except emergency First Aid. If your child needs this kind of help, a parent or guardian will need to accompany them at sessions. This should be discussed prior to attending the session to ensure everyone understands the needs of your child.

How much does it cost for my child to join?

YAC is a charity and runs on a not-for-profit basis. Each YAC club sets its own charges depending on their circumstances. These charges are often a combination of an annual membership fee and a per-session charge. For example, some clubs need to pay room hire, and others need to cover the costs of materials. Contact your local club to find out what their charges are.

YAC also runs regular fundraising activities in order to meet the running costs for the whole organisation, so your local volunteers may ask for your help with fundraising occasionally.

I’ve tried to contact my local YAC club, but no-one is getting back to me. What should I do now?

Please bear in mind that the majority of YAC clubs are run by volunteers who fit YAC in at weekends around their very busy lives. It might take them a while to get back to you.

If you don’t hear back from your local club please contact YAC’s head office by email on yac@yac-uk.org or telephone 01904 671 417.

Is there support for children with disabilities or additional needs?

YAC welcomes children with disabilities and additional needs. If your child wishes to join a local club, please get in touch with the leadership team of the club in question to find out more and discuss any adjustments they might need to make to help your child access the sessions.

The leadership team will ask you for advice on how to support your child, for example what works best for them at home or school. They may ask you to stay at sessions with your child to provide additional support if needed.

YAC volunteers are not able to help children with medical or personal care, except emergency First Aid. If your child needs this kind of help a parent or guardian will need to accompany them at sessions.