We’re Excited to Announce That We Are Re-Opening with a Modified Summer Program for Youth
After Governor Bill Lee announced Tennessee’s plans to reopen the state, businesses are slowly starting to resume operations while adjusting their models and strengthening security efforts to combat the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic. With the safety of its Club members and staff as the top priority, Boys & Girls Clubs of The Ocoee Region (BGCOR) will open its doors to serve a limited number of children throughout the summer, beginning June 1, 2020.
Membership will be offered on a first-come first-served basis, and Membership Registration will be held on May 19th and 20th from 5:30-7:30pm at the following locations:
- Tucker
- Johnson
- Powers
- Jacobs
- Cleveland State (TBD)
- Blythe
- Rural Vale
- Vonore
- Madisonville
- Madisonville Teen Center
- Sweetwater
- Meigs
- Sutton-Hooker.
Clubs will run at half normal attendance capacity. All youth will be assigned to teams of 10 (9 youth + 1 staff). Youth must be at least age 6 and have already attended Kindergarten to register. The limit was determined based on the number of rooms inside the organization’s Club facilities and the social distancing recommendations of maintaining gatherings of no more than 10 people at 6 feet apart. Availability ranges by Club locations and includes the following limits per session:
- Tucker – 54 youth
- Meigs – 45 youth
- Sutton-Hooker – 36 youth
- Johnson Teen Center – 36 youth
- Jacobs – 27 youth
- Powers – 18 youth
- Blythe – 18 youth
- Cleveland State – (TBD)
- Madisonville – 45 youth
- Madisonville Teen Center – 18 youth
- Sweetwater – 36 youth
- Vonore – 36 youth
- Rural Vale – 18 youth
During the actual registration process, families will be asked to remain inside their cars at all times. Families will also be expected to sign a safety waiver explaining the risks. For a complete list of Member Daily Check-In Procedures, Program Safety Protocols, Member Pick-Up Procedures, and BGCOR’s COVID19 Diagnosis Policy, please see “Policies and Procedures” section below.
“As we transition out of quarantine, youth need Boys & Girls Clubs more than ever to help them get back on track and ready to succeed when schools reopen,” said Derrick Kinsey, President/CEO at BGCOR. “The decision to limit the number of children we can serve this summer was one of the truly difficult decisions we’ve had to make. The kids who attend our Clubs need our Clubs. But the reality is that our regular daily attendance far exceeds the number of youth we can safely serve under the current health restrictions. We’re looking forward to being able to once again serve all those kids who need us most.”
The daily programs will feature the same high quality elements that BGCOR programs have always had: a focus on Academics, Health, Character & Leadership, and The Arts. Meals and snacks will also be served to program participants at no additional cost.
Policies and Procedures
Member Daily Check-In Procedures.
Members will be screened daily before they entered the building –
Staff will check temperatures and complete any necessary paperwork with parents before releasing child from their car.
If displaying a fever of 99.5 or greater, or has a concerning cough or shortness of breath; no admittance until symptom free for a minimum of 72 hours.
No child allowed into facility until screened.
Parents are not allowed into the building for any reason.
Each Unit will share a video to virtually walk families through each Unit to show the daily safety procedures. These videos will be posted by Wednesday, May 27th.
Program Safety.
Youth will have their hands sanitized entering the facility, each program area, and when leaving the program area.
There will be regular routine hand washing throughout the day.
Staff will work to keep youth at proper social distancing whenever able to control.
All areas will be disinfected between group transitions.
Staff will wear masks throughout the day and gloves during food service.
There will be no field trips during the month of June to avoid close contact on our buses.
Member Pick-Up Procedures.
Staff positioned outside at the end of the day to help ease departure process.
Parents encouraged to stay in car.
When picking up mid-day, parents will be given a number to call so staff can prepare their child for check out.
Staff are to identify those authorized to pick up via identification.
COVID19 Diagnosis Policy.
If the child’s family member, or someone that the child did not adhere to social distance guidelines for 10 minutes or longer, is awaiting COVID-19 test results, the parent/guardian is required to notify their Unit Director. The child may not return to the site until negative test results are received.
If the child’s family member, or someone that the child did not adhere to social distance guidelines for 10 minutes or longer receives a confirmed COVID-19 POSITIVE diagnosis, the parent/guardian must notify their Unit Director. The child will not be allowed to attend the program for 14 days from the date of their household member’s diagnosis.
