By MELISSA BILL

news@breezenewspapers.com

The Boys & Girls Clubs will officially reopen two of its Lee County locations including Renaissance Preserve in Lehigh Acres on June 15.

Organization officials say they are excited to reopen the two sites and resume activities, mentorship, promotion of good citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.

The phased reopening marks three months since it announced closing the doors at all four locations. Even during the closures each location worked to get meals out to the youth who needed it the most.

“This Board has worked tirelessly, as has the staff, to ensure we have a positive place for our kids during the summer,” Boys and Girls Club Vice-chair Mike Knox said in a prepared statement. “Though this pandemic has presented many challenges in offering a traditional summer program, I am so very proud we can offer programs that will be fun and educational, while taking every precaution for the safety of our staff and members.”

Pre-registration began on Monday, June 8, for current members and children of first responders. Then on Tuesday, June 9, registration opened up to the general public, on a first come first served basis.

According to Knox, they have already had an overwhelming response to their opening.

“The community response at both locations including Lehigh has been great. First responder families are looking forward to it, and it’s great to get the kids back into a routine and a positive environment. Give families the ability to get back to their normal work schedules,” Knox said. “We are doing everything in our power to stay open during the day to help those families who work. Our normal hours during the school year are after-school, but in light of COVID we thought it’s important to be open as long as possible.”

To ensure compliance with CDC guidelines, the club will initially serve no more than 40 percent capacity at each location. Online registration for these sites, along with detailed information, can be found at loveleekids.org.

“It took a lot of preparing and us having to factor in our staff hours. We worked long and hard to figure out how we could offer the program to as many families as possible in a safe and effective way,” Knox said.

The BGCLC will implement rigorous sanitization, safety, and social-distancing protocols for members and staff and adhere to CDC and State of Florida guidelines. The reopening of the Pueblo Bonito site is slated for June 29 contingent upon successful implementation of safety protocols. The club will increase enrollment at each location based on the state’s phased reopening plan.

To ensure the safety of both staff and members the club has the following protocols in place:

Staff Safety

All staff will undergo wellness checks that include health surveys and temperature checks. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 will be sent home and unable to return until fever-free. Frequent handwashing, social distancing, masks, and gloves are required for staff throughout the day.

Member Safety

Members will comply with CDC requirements including social distancing, handwashing, and temperature checks. Masks will be available upon request. Parents are enlisted in helping regularly check for symptoms. Any child who tests positive for COVID-19 may not return for 14 days.

Programs

Club members will be placed in groups of no more than nine and assigned to the same club professional. Safe, social distancing will be in place for transitioning from the inside to outside programs. The area and equipment will be sanitized between each transition. Water fountains are closed and only one member at a time can use the restroom.

On June 15, the BGCLC, in partnership with the School District of Lee County will also launch its Summer Feeding Program. Grab and Go breakfast and lunch will be offered. Visit SDLC at leeschools.net for distribution sites.

For more information visit the website at loveleekids.org.