Boys & Girls Clubs 'open door' policy changes

FALLBROOK — Since it first opened its doors in 1962, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North County has operated under an “open door policy” in which members were free to come and go as they wished throughout the day.

Neighborhood youth would walk to the Club after school and on hot summer days. When they needed a break or when it was mealtime, they would walk home, often returning to the Club later in the day.

But times have changed and it is not always safe for young people to be walking down the street by themselves. In an effort to increase the safety of its members, the Club has adopted what it calls the “Safe Passage Policy.”

Under the new policy, members will no longer be free to come and go from the Club throughout the day as they wish.

For members under the age of 13, a parent, guardian or other authorized adult (family member or baby sitter, for example) must retrieve the member from the Club. Members age 13 and older may leave the club unescorted with written permission from a parent or guardian.

After a member leaves the Club, he or she may not return until the following day. The new policy will take effect when the Club begins its new fiscal year on July 1.

The Club has always prided itself on being a safe and positive place for the youth of the community. Unfortunately, the staff cannot control what happens to their members once they leave the Club.

The primary reason for this change is to encourage members to stay at the Club for as long as possible, rather than leave the premises unsupervised where they may be exposed to dangers that are beyond the control of the staff.

For more information, visit http://www.bgcnorthcounty.com or call (760)728-5871.