Age Groups

The five Rainbow DJ Lab groups, from Little DJs to Grown-Up & Elder DJs, and what each means for parents.

The groups

All groups use the same curriculum, with coaching pitched to the age in the room.

If your child is 9

A 9-year-old is in Junior DJs. Here's what that means for you:

• You can drop off. You sign your child in at the start of every class.
• You list who can pick up. Your child is released only to an adult on your signed authorized-pickup list, after a photo ID check. Every release is recorded in the sign-out log. See Authorized pickup form.
• Your child won't walk home alone unless you give written permission in advance.
• You're welcome to watch. See our Open door policy.
• A 9-year-old girl can choose Empress Decks instead, if she'd prefer a girls-only group taught by women DJs.

Class size and adults in the room

The rules below are policies Ras Tafari Inc. commits to. Formal board adoption is a launch requirement.

• Up to 12 children per class, in up to 3 stations of 4.
• No more than 6 children per screened adult. A full class of 12 has at least 2 screened adults.
• At least two screened adults are present with children at all times. No adult is ever alone with a child out of sight.
• Little DJs also have their own grown-up in the room, which is in addition to the staff ratio.

Little DJs (5–7)

Younger children learn alongside a parent or guardian, who stays for the whole class. The adult helps with turn-taking and goes with the child to the restroom. It's a good fit for families who want to learn together.

Teen DJs (12–17)

Teens follow the same course and choose their own Mild, Medium or Spicy level, like everyone else. Every minor is signed in by a parent or guardian. Pickup and release follow the arrival and sign-out rules.

Grown-Up & Elder DJs (18+)

Adults and elders learn in their own group. Any adult who works with children as staff or a volunteer goes through full staff screening first.

Empress Decks (girls, about 9–17)

Empress Decks is a girls-only track taught by women DJs. No coaches have been hired yet, so the women DJs who will teach it haven't been named. They go through the same screening and training as every adult. See Instructors.

Not sure which group fits?

Call or email Stephen Henry: 872-255-9333, stephen@selassiefest.com. If your child is on the border between two groups, or needs support to take part, we'll talk it through with you. See also Accessibility.