DAYTON—After monitoring the opening of Dayton schools using face-to-face learning, The Club’s Board of Directors voted to resume in-person programs on September 28, 2020. The Club currently offers virtual programs and weekly activity boxes delivered to members.

“All indications are that things are going smoothly at Dayton schools”, said Jim Pearson, Director of The Club. “In coordination with the school, we believe we can open safely and provide some meaningful activities and engagement to the community’s youth”.

Initially, the program will be limited to students in grades K-5. This is to ensure that The Club has staff to accommodate daily attendees as well as limiting potential exposure among students. The Club intends to resume offering additional after-hours activities for middle and high school students when the limits on gatherings are reduced to a safer level.

“Logistically, this will be very challenging for us”, continued Pearson. “We have recently lost a few staff for various reasons, but I am confident we will find qualified people to fill those vacant positions in time to meet the deadline we have set for ourselves. In addition to staffing, there are also a number of health and safety guidelines to which we have to adapt. This will result in our programs looking a bit different than the kids are used to. For instance, kids will be separated into small, similarly-aged groups, and they will remain within their groups for the duration”.

Programs will be offered from 3 - 6pm on school days, and 12:30 - 6pm on early release days. As in years past, Dayton School District will be providing a bus from school to The Club.

Due to the logistical obstacles presented by offering a program under the current circumstances, space is limited. Parents and guardians are encouraged to enroll students as soon as possible to avoid being placed on a waiting list. Students can be enrolled by visiting http://www.theclubdayton.org/applications.