PARENT

HANDBOOK

ABERDEEN BRANCH

100 E. Bel Air Avenue

Aberdeen, MD 21001

410-272-8233

EDGEWOOD BRANCH

2002 Cedar Drive

Edgewood, MD 21040

410-676-1020

BEL AIR BRANCH

525 W. MacPhail Rd.

Bel Air, MD 21014

410-838-3354

HAVRE DE GRACE BRANCH

351 Lewis Lane

Havre de Grace, MD 21078

410-939-1774

Welcome To The

Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County

Our Purpose…

The Boys and Girls Clubs are a youth development organization dedicated to promoting

the health, social, education, vocational and character development for youths 6-18. Our

purpose is to help young people improve their lives by building self-esteem and developing

skills as well as values.

Introduction

This handbook is designed to inform parents of the policies and practices of the Boys and

Girls of Harford County. It contains rules by which the Branches are operated and helpful

hints which will make your child’s experience more enjoyable.

Membership

Membership is open to all children ages 6-18 and is valid June 1st to May 31st. This membership

must be renewed annually. Additional fees are charged for special events, such

as league sports, field trips, classes, transportation routes and day camps. Only cash and credit card payments will be accepted. The

membership is good at all Harford County Branches.

Please Be Aware

Due to the Club’s Open Door Policy, parental rules determine where their children

may play. Our staff does not grant permission for children to leave the Branch, nor

do we insist they stay. The Club is not responsible for children if they leave the

branch on their own.

Program Information

There are many fun and exciting activities available for your child at the Boys & Girls

Clubs of Harford County. Members are free to choose the program areas in which they

participate, with some exceptions. Here is just a sample of what is available:

Five Core Areas

In order to provide a well rounded variety of activities that meet the development needs of

the youth we serve, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford County provides programs in the

following 5 Core Areas:

· Character and Leadership Development: Empowers youth to support and influence

their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive

self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural

identities.

· Education and Career Development: enables youth to become proficient in basic educational

disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to

achieve success in a career.

· Health and Life Skills: Develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors

that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.

· The Arts: Enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge

and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.

· Sports, Fitness and Recreation: Develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for

stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.

Summer Enrichment Program

Summer Enrichment Programs are available to youths ages 6-12. they include arts &

crafts, sports, swimming, field trips and more! Summer Enrichment Programs are an excellent

way for members to spend their school vacation in a safe and fun environment.

Photos

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County occasionally makes use of photos and/or videos

of members and member activities for advertising and publicity purposes. Photos

could be used and not limited to the following: newspaper, media, internet, flyers, brochures,

etc.

Sign In/Out

At the beginning of each day, we ask that all children sign-in using their membership

number or their last name, first initial. At the end of each day we ask that all children sign

out in the same manner.

Visitors

Each child may visit the Club for one week before becoming a member. He or she must

first check in at the front counter to meet the staff and receive a membership application

which must be completely filled out and signed by a parent. Visitors may not participate in field trips,

special events or outings. Each child must become a member upon his or her second

week of attendance.

Lost & Found

Personal belongings should be properly marked and stored as directed. Any articles missing,

lost or stolen are not the responsibility of the Club. Take home all projects and personal

belongings each day. Lost & found items are collected and kept for one month. If

they are not claimed, they are donated to charity.

*No cell phones, Electronic Devices, Toys, Radios, Trading Cards, Etc. The Club is

not responsible for these items and will not provide any reimbursement.

Vending Machines

Members use the vending machines at their own risk. Club staff do not have keys to these

machines and are therefore unable to give refunds. Members may eat and drink in designated

areas only.

Transportation Program

Transportation is available from limited schools to the Branches throughout the school

year. Check with local Branch for schools.

Refund Policy

Please plan accordingly we do not issue refunds of any payment.

Field Trips

For most field trips, we utilize the Branch van. There is limited seating so spaces are reserved

on a first come, first serve basis. Permission slips and payments (if required) must

be received in advance. No refund will be given for field trips missed. It is the parent’s

responsibility to see that the member arrive on time.

Club Hours

Aberdeen & Edgewood Branches 3-8 pm; youth under the age of 12 must be picked up by

7pm. Bel Air & Havre de Grace Branches 3-7pm.

Late Policy

The Club opens and closes promptly as posted. We ask that parents ensure that their

children do not arrive early or leave late. Children remaining at or near the Club at closing

time will be taken inside and a staff member will remain with them until they are picked up.

The parent will be called at closing. 15 minutes past closing, the emergency contact will

be called and 30 minutes after closing the local law enforcement will be contacted. There

is a late fee for children left at the Club after closing.

First Occurrence of less than 5 minutes: Warning. (More than 5 minutes will result in

a late fee of $1.00 for every minute.

Second Occurrence: Late fee of $1.00 for every minute.

Third Occurrence: A late fee will be assessed and membership may be temporarily

suspended.

Abuse of our late policy (repeated occurrences) will be lead to revocation of membership.

This action is necessary for the children’s safety and security. We appreciate your cooperation

Technology Use & Policy

COMPUTER LAB/BRAIN CENTRAL

RULES & INTERNET USAGE

MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONDUCT AND ACTIVITIES!

All youth must start or complete the appropriate NetSmartz curriculum before being allowed

to use the Internet at the Club.

Ages 6-7 must COMPLETE Clicky’s Web World.

Ages 8-9 must attend first two sessions of NetSmartz.

The following are restricted sites at all of our Units. Members who intentionally access

these sites will have the Internet privilege at the Club immediately and/or permanently

revoked:

All pornography sites to include any sexually suggestive material.

All hate sites.

All drug sites containing production information.

Site with chat or IM capability – regardless of content including messaging services.

Any music site or site containing music or lyrics.

Facebook, E-BAY, etc.—social networking sites.

Members may not provide ANY personal information online—including, but not limited to,

name, address, phone number, age, birthday, school attended, brothers/sisters/parents’

names, town residing in, location of the computer or Club, their picture, etc.

Members may not access the Internet by any other means than those prescribed by the

Club – i.e., they cannot sign on to their personal accounts; they must use those provided

by the Club.

Web based e-mail services are strictly forbidden including Hotmail, Yahoo, MSN, etc.

Members may not download or install any games or programs without permission of Lab

or Brain Central Coordinator.

Members may not put any CD into any computer drive without permission of Lab or Brain

Central Coordinator.

Members may not print any documents without permission.

Members may not change any control panel settings on the computers. This includes

backgrounds, desktops, screen savers, etc.

Members should notify a staff member immediately if the following occur:

a. Restricted materials are accessed, either by accident or intentionally.

b. Technical or mechanical problems with equipment.

c. Any outside source attempting to make contact.

Members may not remove any equipment, software, or printed materials from the Computer

Lab or Brain Central without permission from the Coordinators.

IF ANY EXPECTATION IS NOT CLEAR, THE CLUB MEMBER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

ASKING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION..

Rules

Please familiarize your child with these rules:

1. Treat people and property with respect.

2. Follow staff instructions.

3. Walk inside at all times.

4. Pushing, shoving or fighting is not allowed.

5. Use appropriate language.

6. Food and drink in designated area.

7. No rock throwing.

8. Always keep your shoes on.

9. No climbing (ie. Fences, trees, toilets, ect.)

10. Kids allowed in supervised areas only.

Additional rules may apply at individual Clubs.

PARENT & STAFF RELATIONSHIPS

Under no circumstances should a parent discipline or argue with a Club Member, other

parent or staff on Club property during Club hours. If you have a problem with anyone

affiliated with the Club, please schedule a meeting with the Branch Director to discuss

your concerns.

DRESS CODE

Club members wearing Flip Flops or sandals, skirts or dresses cannot participate in Gym

or outdoor activities. Please dress them in shorts, t-shirts and sneakers. Please remember

that the Club is air-conditioned so dress your child appropriately.

We abide by the Harford County Public Schools Dress Code. This means no “Short”

shorts or midriffs (showing the belly). No sleeveless shirts or heelies. Girls must wear onepiece

swim suits when swimming. No inappropriate messages on tee-shirts will be tolerated (racist, sexist,

drug related, foul language). Hats, bandanas or any other kind of headgear are not permitted to be worn in the club.

Health and Emergencies

If your child does not attend school due to illness, he or she should not attend the Boys &

Girls Club program. If a child displays any symptoms of illness while at the Club, the parents

will notified. Staff members are trained in first aid, C.P.R., as well as being able to

handle everyday bumps and bruises. Should an emergency arise and medical attention is

required, parents will be notified immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the person

listed as the emergency contact on the registration form will be called. Please keep all

emergency information up to date with the staff.

Head Lice Policy

Parents will be asked to pick up any child found to have head lice (nits or live lice) immediately.

The member may return 24 hours after being treated. Upon return, children must be

nit free and parent will be asked to show proof of treatment.

Infectious Rashes

Children with infectious rashes such as Ringworm, Impetigo, and Scabies must be under

effective treatment (medication) for 24 hours before returning to the Club.

Medical/Injury

Medications for children must be brought to the Branch Director by the parent. It is the

responsibility of the child to take medicine at the appropriate time for the prescribed dosage.

Discipline

We are committed to providing the best possible experience for your child at the Club. In

order to ensure safety and maintain a positive environment, staff must use discipline procedures

with members who exhibit inappropriate behavior. In the event your child does

not follow established rules and/or verbal directions from the staff, she/he will be held

accountable. The following steps may be utilized to assist in the enforcement of established

rules and policies at the Club:

1st Offense: Member is verbally warned or written up.

2nd Offense: Member will be asked to stay home for a day, or more (depending on the

situation and severity).

3rd Offense: Member will be suspended for a week or dismissed from the program

(depending on the situation and severity).

In the event of repeated negative behaviors in one day, the Club reserves the right to

request the early pick-up of a member and/or possible suspension the following day (or

longer if necessary).

(Attendance to the Club is a choice!

Youth who wish to exhibit continuous behavior issues will not be allowed to return

Holidays

New Year’s Day 7 Martin Luther King Day 7 President’s Day

Memorial Day 7 Independence Day 7 Labor Day

Thanksgiving Day 7 Christmas

Other Days:

Day before or after Christmas (as deemed appropriate)

Day before or after New Year’s (as deemed appropriate)

Additional days for training and all Club preparations

Again, welcome to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County. Be sure to ask a

Staff member if you have any questions.