What are Boys & Girls Clubs all about?
Our motto is simple: Great Futures Start Here!
But great futures don’t happen by accident.
They take work. Focus. Determination. Opportunities. Encouragement. Mentors. Friendship. Hope.
In fact, every kid needs something to help them get there.
And every parent or guardian needs something for their kid.
So our mission is clear: Offer a safe and encouraging place to go during out of school time to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as Caring, Productive, Responsible citizens.
- CARING (We want them to be engaged by caring, friendly, welcoming staff who help them to become skilled in understanding and navigating their own and others’ emotions, values, and interests.)
- PRODUCTIVE (We want them to have positive learning opportunities and a variety of Club experiences that foster creativity and imagination.)
- RESPONSIBLE (We want to be engaged citizens, involved in the community, and modelling strong character and healthy lifestyle choices that lead to Great Futures!)
What do Boys & Girls Clubs offer youth?
Great Futures start with a safe and encouraging place to go during out of school time, a place to learn and grow, a place to be loved, respected, and encouraged, and a place to challenge and inspire them to set big goals and dreams and develop the skills and discipline to achieve them.
Boys & Girls Clubs does this by offering a variety of programs for school age youth that focus on the following:
- Sports & Recreation—Organized group programs, activities, and games that get members up and moving, plus sports activities that teach members sportsmanship and healthy competition.
- Education—Programs that provide educational activities and daily homework assistance.
- The Arts—Programs introducing members to multiple art forms from visual to dramatic
- Health & Wellness—The Club aims to address food insecurity by providing free snacks daily and meal opportunities
- Character & Leadership—Program created to identify ways to set healthy boundaries and avoid at-risk behavior including bullying, alcohol, and drug use.
- Workforce Readiness—YouthForce is an economic and job readiness program within the P.I.E. Center for the purpose of equipping youth with the tools necessary for professionalism and success through:
- career exploration
- the development of skills and certifications
- the development of a growth mindset that raises the level of work ethic
- introducing a sense of pride to continue investing in their personal productivity
- supporting the overall goal of breaking the cycle of poverty within their family unit and community
Ages
What age do kids have to be in order to be a member at the Club?
Any school age youth—ages 5-18 and currently in K-12—can join any of the Clubs in the Ocoee Region. A completed Membership Enrollment Form, birth certificate, and current shot records are the documents required to get started. The enrollment form will ask for insurance-related information, so it’s helpful to gather that info before beginning the process. Anyone who is currently on Families First will also need to submit documentation verifying that status.
Does the Club accept kids with special needs?
While we are not currently set up to specialize in special needs care, we do not turn any child away. Our policy is to start with a consultation and create an individualized program plan, and then work to make reasonable accommodations for the child. Obviously, this must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Parents/guardians should schedule a meeting with a Unit Director to discuss the needs of a specific child.
Is membership required to attend the Club?
Yes, membership is required. Non-members can request a temporary 1-day guest pass. A nominal fee (see “Costs” for details) is required to participate in the many programs and activities offered by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region. This super-low fee helps us cover the cost of operating expenses. Memberships also help us keep kids safe by tracking attendance and verifying identity, as well as tracking improvement in school grades and more.
Programs
What is included in Club membership?
Members only have to show their membership card at ANY Boys & Girls Club to enter and participate in all that the Club has to offer! Once inside the Club, members can play games, receive homework help, participate in a number of programs and activities, and even have a meal. Membership also allows kids and teens to register for summer programs and participate in all the fun activities that come along with being a BGCOR member.
What does a typical day look like at the Club?
Once kids arrive at the Club, there are plenty of opportunities to build friendships, learn and grow, and even to become a leader. They’ll be able to:
- get homework help during Power Hour
- have a snack and/or dinner
- join a program such as character development, life skills, Smart Girls, Money Matters, and much more
- participate in special activities such as STEAM, performing arts, arts & crafts, and computer lab
- enjoy social recreation/physical fitness time like sports or riding bikes
Do members have leadership or community service opportunities?
Yes. We offer leadership and service opportunities through Youth of the Year, Keystone (high school club), and Torch Club (middle school) programs.* In fact, in BGCA’s latest Member Survey, 91% of our members felt like they were doing fine or great as leaders, 87% felt the same about personal integrity and the pursuit of goals, and 90% expressed positive concern for their community.
*While there are no GPA requirements for participation, all three of these programs require students to accrue community service hours either through the Club and/or via another organization. (Keystone officer positions do have GPA requirements. See Jared Goins for more information.)
Do Clubs offer field trips for members?
Yes. Fields trips are offered year-round, but many more happen during summer months. During the summer, BGCOR offers field trips weekly, especially for older kids and teens. Generally speaking, trips are Unit specific. Contact a Unit Director for details. Some examples include things such as field trips to Top Golf, College Road Trips to colleges and universities all across the eastern U.S., Braves games, and much more. Prices vary based on the trip itself.
How do teens join special programs like YouthForce Workforce Development?
The first step is to become a member of the Club. Then, have the Unit or Teen Center director contact Jason or Joe about getting involved in YouthForce.
Do kids have to join another Ocoee Region Club if they want to participate in a program that is not offered at their Club?
No. Any BGCOR member can simply present their membership card and have access to any other Club in our organization. The only exception is that only teens can attend a Teen Center or teen programming.
Costs
How much does it cost for kids to join the Ocoee Region Clubs?
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region charges a flat rate fee of $20 per week, per child.*
Transportation (Bradley County Only): $5 per week.
Membership: $10 a year
*Multi-Child Discounts are available. Families First Accepted.
What are the sibling discounts? How much would a family pay for multiple kids?
Weekly fees are set as follows: 1 child = $20, 2 children = $15 each, 3 children = $10 each. 4 or more children = $5 each.
Bus fees (Bradley County ONLY): 1 child = $5, 2 children each = $3, 3 or more children = $1 each.
Does the Club offer scholarships or financial assistance for families?
Yes. For Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region, assistance starts with Families First. However, if someone has applied for Families First and cannot get approved, they simply bring proof of their status and schedule a meeting with a Unit Director to discuss. Exact scholarship amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis. No child is ever turned away due to finances.
If a family receives food stamps, can their children attend the Club for free?
Possibly. BGCOR is not a government-administered program, so there is no direct relationship between the Club and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Those in need of financial assistance would need to go through the Families First application process to determine assistance.
Does the Club offer scholarship opportunities to high school students?
Yes. Every year, high school students can apply for various scholarships. The application(s) will likely include an essay and a letter of recommendation.
We offer County-based scholarships in Bradley, Polk, Monroe, and Meigs. Additionally, through our Youth of the Year program, high school students in any of our counties who have been members of the Club for two or more years are eligible to win one of three different scholarships. Contact Jared Goins for more information about Youth of the Year, or Wyatt Bevis for information regarding county scholarships.
Can a family make too much money for their children to attend?
No. There is no income limit imposed on parents.
How is it so cheap?
The majority of funds required to run each Club are subsidized through the generosity of people throughout each community who give—often sacrificially—in order to make sure that our doors stay open year-round. The remainder of our costs are covered by the nominal weekly fees and annual membership dues.
Do families have to pay for weeks their children don’t attend?
No. Our fees are accrued weekly. If a child does not plan to attend during a given week, no payment is due for that week. However, to attend even one day in a week, the weekly fee is charged. Payment of weekly fees can be set to the schedule that is best for the individual (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc).
Hours
What are your hours of operation?
During the school year, Clubs are typically open from 2:30pm until 7:30pm. In the summer, Clubs are open from 7:00am until 5:30pm. Check with the Unit nearest you for any slight variations in times.
Are Clubs open on school breaks?
Yes. When schools are closed for spring, summer, and fall breaks, our Clubs are open! However, BGCOR Clubs are closed for all Federal Holidays, including two days for Independence Day, two days at Thanksgiving, and two weeks between Christmas and the New Year.
What is your “early bird” schedule?
In the summer, Clubs are open from 7am to 5:30pm, with 7am-10am designated as the early bird schedule. The cost is $10 per week per child, and no scholarships are available. Please contact an individual Club for specific times and schedules.
Where are all the Clubs located and how can I contact a Club?
You can find a list of all our current locations (addresses, links to Google Maps locations, phone numbers, names of Unit Directors), by clicking here.
Transportation
Is transportation provided to and from the Club?
We currently have a fleet of eight Club buses that run daily in Bradley County for after school transportation to Bradley Clubs. Transportation sign up is included on the Membership enrollment form.
In Polk, McMinn, Monroe, and Meigs counties, school buses transport students after school to those Clubs. Parents must both sign up their kids for transportation at the Club and then inform the school that their child will be riding the bus to the Club after school.
Food
Are meals or snacks provided during program hours?
Yes. After-school snacks (usually some sort of grain and fruit) and a CACFP-approved dinner (protein, dairy, grain, and fruit) are provided at all Clubs.
Some Clubs will serve a snack upon arrival and dinner later, but most Clubs do the reverse.
Volunteers
How can I get more involved in Club activities? How do I get involved with Boys & Girls Club?
All those interested in volunteering at any of our Clubs are required to go through a background check. Afterwards, there is an orientation process designed to answer questions about how to match your skills and interests with the needs of the Club and our members. Contact any Unit Director or Area Director for more information.
What kind of help could we use from volunteers?
The Club is always looking for adults who are interested in being tutors (primarily math and reading), teaching specialized skills, life skills, and mentoring. That said, one of the single most beneficial programs we have right now are our partnerships in reading. Many of our members are currently struggling with 3rd or 4th grade retention tests, even kids who typically get straight A’s. Our reading volunteers—the ones who are inspiring a LOVE for reading—are changing the game for our kids. The number of positive, grateful letters and emails we have received both from parents and teachers is incredible, and it’s all because of our volunteers!
Employment
Are the Clubs run by volunteers?
No, but we do accept volunteers by application. Background check is required.
How old do you have to be to work at a Boys & Girls Club?
You must be at least 18 years old and be a high school graduate or equivalency.
What professional development is available for staff?
Every employee has access to BGCA’s Spillet Leadership University in which staff members can accumulate nearly 40 hours of online training annually. Additionally, the Club offers an annual Club-specific pre-summer training, and even leadership book clubs that allow for discussion and deep dives around specific topics. Occasionally, there are even special scholarships offered to help with personal development opportunities (provided by BGCA or by a local donor).
Impact
What impact has the Club had on local youth? How do you measure the success of your programs?
There are many variables that we monitor in order to determine the impact we are having. Just one of those is BGCA’s annual member survey. For example, 80% of our members are earning As and Bs in school, and 93% are expected to graduate on time. (Current graduation rate across Tennessee is 84.1%.) 89% say they enjoy learning new things, and 92% say they purposely choose activities that push them to learn new things. Compared to other places they could spend their time, 94% think of the Club as a safe/safer space to be in—physically, mentally, emotionally, and relationally! 89% report having positive adult connections with staff, and 95% feel that staff have positive expectations for students and are quick to encourage students when they make positive choices. In fact, across 20 different measures of common risk behaviors, Club teens abstain from those behaviors an average of 89% of the time!