2009 SUMMER PROGRAM

500 Evergreen Street Unit

Parent Orientation Guidelines

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana is a positive youth development organization using basic principles and proven techniques to help youth achieve their fullest potential. BGC Northeast Louisiana welcomes you to our programs. We plan our programs so the kids will have a fun-filled time they will look forward to each day. We want each child to grow socially, educationally and physically while participating in recreational activities and educational opportunities offered in a Club atmosphere. Parents are invited to visit at any time. Parental sharing of talents or hobbies can be arranged by contacting the program director or the executive director.

1. Youth between the ages of 5-18 can join the Club. (They must have completed their kindergarten year in school to begin our summer program.)

2. Our hours of operation in the summer are 7:30-5:30 weekdays. And some Saturdays, 9:30-1:30 for swimming. Our school-year hours are 3-7 pm Monday through Friday.  A LATE PICKUP FEE will be charged and your child cannot return to the Club until this fee is paid for any child picked up after closing time.  The LATE FEE is $5 for every 5 minutes a child is picked up late (5:35= $5 late fee. 5:40pm=$10, 6:00=$30, etc.) There are no exceptions — we do not have the funds to pay our staff overtime to wait for you to pick up your child. Remember, if you are charged for a late fee, the child cannot return to the Club until this late fee is paid.

3. Our full-time staff includes the site director, program director and education/summer program director. PART-TIME STAFF include the athletic director, technology director, social recreation director, cultural enrichment director, aquatics director and youth development professionals.. VOLUNTEER STAFF includes coaches, tutors, dance instructors, weight room, wood shop, story time, photography, arts & crafts, special events and anything you or someone you know has to offer!

4. DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURES: During summer mornings prior to opening, parents will be expected to wait with their child until a staff person arrives at the Boys & Girls Club. Children must not be left alone. Each child must be picked up by their parent, guardian or other person as authorized on the membership records. Parents must come in the building to pick up their child. Those members who can check themselves out to walk/bike home must have parental consent on their membership form.

5. CLOTHING: Members must wear shoes at all times (when not in the pool area). THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST CLOTHING OR ANY OTHER ITEMS BROUGHT TO THE CLUB. Clothing must be appropriate. This means T-shirts not allowed in the building are those mentioning liquor, beer, wine, drugs or tobacco products. A lost and found box located in the front. LEAVE ALL PER SONAL TOYS AND ANY VALUABLES AT HOME!

6. TELEPHONE USE: Please help us limit the amount of wasted staff time. The telephone should only be used in case of emergency. No child will use the phone to make personal phone calls during the day. The front desk receptionist will determine the seriousness of the “emergency a member may have in needing to make a phone call.

7. ALLERGIES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS: Upon registration, it is imperative that you indicate any allergies to food, medications or any medical conditions which may affect your child’s well-being. The staff will be made aware of these allergies and conditions.

8. EMERGENCIES: It is essential that a complete membership form Is filled out on each member by a parent/guardian list ALL phone numbers (home, work, cellular, pagers, nearest relative) where Club personnel can reach you in case of an emergency. MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD’S MEMBERSHIP FILE IS UPDATED WHEN YOU MOVE AND/OR GET A NEW PHONE NUMBER. The following procedure will be taken when children develop health problems or become severely injured while in the program. After the child receives immediate first aid:

(1) The parent will be advised by phone of the condition of the child.

(2) The Summer Program Director will recommend whether a child is to be removed from the center or allowed to remain.

(3) Following an injury an accident report will be written and kept on file.

(4) In extreme emergency situations, an ambulance will be dispatched. Parents will be notified.

In the event your child has an accident at the Club, first aid Will be applied, you will be phoned and a First Aid Report will be completed and kept on file. If required, paramedics will be contacted or the child will be transported to the hospital. In every instance, every attempt will be made to contact you so please help keep your phone numbers in our files current and up to date

9. SICKNESS: No member will be allowed to stay at the Club if he/she is sick, It is too risky with all the other children that could be affected. Please help us in this matter.

10. MEDICATION If your child is on medication that you wish the staff to administer you must give written consent. We will store the medicine in the office where it is available to him/her at the time he/she is scheduled to take it. Any medicine brought to the Club must be stored in the office. If your child needs an aspirin, parental consent must be given by phones

II. FIELD TRIP POLICY: Before any member participates on a field trip, he/she must have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian giving consent. Phone call permission will not always be acceptable.

12. CHILD GUIDANCE: Children will be briefed about the rules of The Boys & Girls Club. These rules are for safety and well-being of ALL children involved. At times Disciplinary Action Notices and/or Behavior Contracts may be used. These are used to enable staff, parents and members to work together to resolve problems. Staff will use mediation to help solve member conflicts. Members who break the rules may be required to serve Club community service hours or a work detail.

MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN A MUTUAL FIGHT, OR IN BITING, KICKING, SPITTING AND!OR HIT TING WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE PROGRAM ON THE FIRSTOFFENSE. LENGTH OF THE SUS PENSION IS UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR SUMMER PROGRAM DIREC TOR. When behavior problems or conflicts arise, the process in which we try to modify the behavior is as follows:

1st offense — Staff and member conference.

2nd offense — Sit for a time-out 5-10 minutes (perhaps doing some basic exercises.)

3rd offense -- Community service hours or work detail.

4th offense -- Staff, member & parent conference with signing of a Behavior Contract.

5th offense -- Suspension of at least one day from the Club may be imposed for serious infractions or repeated offenses.

Remember, we do not want to interrupt you at work during the day, BUT if your child is disrupting the activities of the Club to such a level by making serious rules infractions, we will not hesitate to notify you to come pick up your child immediately. ANY DISRESPECT TO STAFF MEMBERS (“JUST KIDDING” OR NOT) WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE TOLERATED.

And, finally, on the subject of discipline and behavior, the arent1auardian of any child who continually disrupts activities will be asked to seek other means of care for their child

13. FEES: Summer program fees for beginning 2008 will be $40 per week for the first child in a family and $20 per week for each additional child. The 2008 program lasts 12 weeks, ending Aug. 8 and all parents are responsible for paying the entire 12 weeks of fees. ALL FEES MUST BE PAID ON THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER PROGRAM UNLESS SPECIAL WEEKLY PAYING ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. Those paying weekly must pay on Mondays for the rest of the week. Payments can be made via cash, check, money orders, VISA, MASTERCARD or American Express credit cards.

Here are our Club Member Expectations

Members will respectfully follow the direction of any staff member or volunteer in the building.

Members carry their Club Cards at all times. Club Cards will be needed for snacks, games, swimming, etc.

Members walk to all activities (Running is acceptable in gymnasium and ball fields ONLY)

Members look after their own belongings. Club is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Unclaimed items left more than 2 weeks will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Members are encouraged to participate in all programs. Members may not hang out at the front entrance or front desk.

Members may not use phones at the Club. Staff will take messages for the members. Parents please have a prearranged pick-up time for your children. Cell phone usage will be kept at a minimum.

Members use common courtesy and use polite speech (slurs – racial or otherwise -- will not be tolerated).

Members treat property and equipment with respect. Members will be held responsible for intentional misuse or vandalism of equipment.

Members agree to follow behavioral guidelines of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Louisiana and seek help if they need assistance with a discipline issue.

Members may be suspended from the program for mutual fighting regardless of who may have started the fight. Consequences are up to the discretion of the Executive Director.

2009 Summer Program

Fee Policy

            The 2008 Summer Program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana will begin Tuesday, May 26, and end Aug. 7. The 12-week program runs Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

            With extra hiring and supplies needed in the summer months, the board of directors has adopted the following summer program fee policy:

            The fee for summer program is $440 for the first child and $220 for each additional child. The maximum a family would be charged is $880.   A limited number of scholarships are available. A $25 summer activity fee is charged at registration. This fee covers your child’s transportation to and from the free summer lunch program at Riser School; a summer T-shirt; and transportation for some field trips taken in the summer.

            Regardless of how much time each child plans to spend at the Boys & Girls Club during the summer program, all fees must be paid on the first day for the whole summer program during registration prior to May 26.  Any other special paying arrangements must be made with the Executive Director (for example: when paying weekly, payment MUST be made by 9 a.m. on Mondays for the following week.) For your convenience, the Boys & Girls Club accepts VISA, MasterCard and American Express credit and debit cards.  

LIABILITY WAIVER:  I,  as parent/legal guardian  of the applicant for summer program membership in the Boys & Girls Club of West Monroe, Inc., in consideration for benefits granted to the below named minor, do hereby fully release and discharge the Boys & Girls Club of West Monroe, 500 Evergreen St. West Monroe, La., from all liability of any kind and character upon any claim, demand, or cause or action which might be asserted in behalf of said minor against the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana, Inc. I also have received the parent orientation packet and will be responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines outlined in this information.

I also understand the fee policy of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Louisiana and will pay according to their policy. I also understand I will have to pay delinquent fees if I am late picking up my child from the Club, past the 5:30 p.m. daily closing time.

                                                                                                                                                            ____________________________________________

                                                                                    Parent's signature                                           Date

After-School program

is held from

3-6:30 pm weekdays

After-School activities include Power Hour

Homework Hour;  fun in the gamesroom,

gym, arts & crafts, computer lab, along with a free snack.

If you have not signed up to be a Club member

now is the time to do it!   Ages 5-18.

Free membership forms are available at each site:

Evergreen Unit

500 Evergreen Street — West Monroe 323-1644

Henrietta Johnson Community & Recreation Center

2800 Burg Jones Lane — Monroe 557-6016

BJ Washington Fitness and Community Center

1300 Richwood Rd. #1 — Monroe 557-6016

Welcome to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana is a unique organization consisting of three sites:

**500 Evergreen Street, our original site;

**2800 Burg Jones Lane, Monroe, The Henrietta Johnson Recreation & Community Center.

**1300 Richwood Rd. #1, Monroe, The BJ Washington Fitness & Community Center.

 Our goal is to provide every child, aged 5-18, with the essential tools needed for a successful and bright future. Since 1962, the vision of Boys & Girls Clubs has grown and changed with the needs of our children. As the needs of our children and their families continue to change, so will the dynamics of our programs and services.

Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana strive to improve each child's life by implementing self-esteem, courage, and positive values through all of the educational programs. Our youth come to the Boys & Girls Clubs to receive tutoring, computer training, sports education, homework help, and mentoring. Our youth gain confidence by developing a sense of usefulness and belonging.

Our annual membership fee is a low, low $10. (Additonal program fees may be charged at the different sites.)

If you are looking for an exciting place for children to learn and grow or would like to volunteer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana has something for you. Find out more about the Boys & Girls Club by exploring this Web site.

It just takes one encouraging word to build confidence; one positive place to build brighter futures; one caring adult to change a child's life.