About the program
About the Program
Group One is a program designed for children who will enter first grade in the fall and serves as a transition between Children's School and the Boys' and Girls' Club.
This special full-day program (9 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m.) is held Monday–Friday and uses the Sheldon Hall of Education facilities in the morning and the Boys' and Girls' Club facilities in the afternoon.
The program includes active play, arts activities, swimming instruction and waterfront activities, nature programs, and special events. Children remain with the same teachers/counselors throughout the day. Each of two classes is limited to 36 participants.
Staffing
Staffing
Each of the two classes has a head teacher/leader and three college or high school-age assistants. The staff work as a team and share classroom and camp responsibilities to create an enriching, positive atmosphere. At Boys' and Girls' Club, Group One staff is joined by activity specialists including certified waterfront counselors for swimming or other lakefront activities and music, nature, and arts and crafts counselors.
Transportation
Transportation
For the morning session from 9 a.m.–12 p.m., families with Children enrolled in Group One may follow the Children’s School Transportation guidelines:
Children enrolled in the Children's School may ride the special bus to and from the school. Please take your child to Children's School on the first day of attendance to receive specific bus stop information. If you are walking with your child, please be especially careful near the school and the areas designated for bus pick-up and drop-off.
If driving your child (from outside the grounds), you must enter via the Turner Gate, turn right on to Palestine, then make a left and park along Hedding. You may leave your car there briefly while you walk your child to the school. For the safety of our children, do not drive directly to the school or park in any area other than Hedding Avenue.
For the afternoon session from 2–4 p.m., families with Children enrolled in Group One may follow the Boys’ and Girls’ Club Transportation guidelines:
Young people enrolled in the Boys' and Girls' Club may make whatever arrangements are most appropriate for their age and family dynamic. They may walk, ride a bicycle with a parent, sibling, babysitter or on their own, or utilize the public bus/tram system that travels the Chautauqua grounds 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
If you are driving your child to Club (from outside the grounds), you must enter via the Bryant Gate. Special arrangements have been made to open the Bryant Gate for Club participants only and following a schedule tied to Club's hours of operation. The gate will be open daily 8:45–9:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m., 1:45–2:15 p.m. (for Group One drop off), and 3:45–4:15 p.m.
Drive straight down Bryant to the foot of the hill adjacent to the tennis courts. Youth may be dropped off at that location, and vehicles can exit by returning directly to the Bryant Gate.
If parents need to accompany their child (e.g. on the first day of attendance), they may park their car temporarily at the turn-around area at the foot of Bryant. Vehicle traffic and parking are not permitted in any other areas at Boys' and Girls' Club.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
✔ What do the children do between noon and 2 p.m.?
The program is in recess noon–2 p.m. each day. Children may return home, have lunch or join other family members in another activity. This period of time is the responsibility of each family. Parents are encouraged to refer to the babysitting list if they need to make child care arrangements. Please email youth@chq.org to request a copy of the babysitter list.
✔ Does my child need a bathing suit?
Children should bring a bathing suit and towel for the afternoon sessions. Swimming (instructional and/or free swim) and other waterfront activities will be offered during the afternoon sessions with the certified waterfront staff at the Boys' and Girls' Club. It is also highly recommended that children where water shoes for all waterfront activities.
✔ How do I register my child for Group One?
Registration information for the 2021 season is forthcoming. Continue to check this page for updates regarding Group One.
All youth information forms are collected electronically. Following your registration, you will receive an email with the necessary information to complete your child’s forms. Please make sure that your email is accurate at the time of registration to ensure that you receive this email.
Group size is limited and early registration is strongly recommended. Minimum registration is one week.
