Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale to open Anthem Extension, offer full day facilitated virtual learning services
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is opening a full-time extension site on Wednesday, August 5 in the growing Anthem community to serve K-6th graders.
The addition of the Anthem Extension comes as part of the youth development organization’s efforts to serve more kids and families with its Facilitated Virtual Learning programming in the wake of delayed in-person learning for Arizona schools.
“We know that many parents are left scrambling to figure out how they will be able to work and keep their children home when the new school year begins, let alone facilitate their online schooling,” said Robyn Julien, BGCS President, and CEO. “I am proud and excited to announce that we will be expanding our geographical reach a little further north to provide our essential services in the Anthem community.”
The BGCS Anthem Extension is located just south of the Anthem Outlets on the west side of the I-17 Freeway at 42101 N. 41st Drive in the Legacy Commons campus shared with The Crossroads Church, Starting Blocks Academy, and Ridgeline Academy.
Initial membership will be capped at 50 to ensure physical distancing in the 2,800 square foot space that has undergone construction to open up the main programming area and add safety sight lines between rooms. The entire space has been refreshed with new flooring, paint, and furnishings in preparation for the August 5th opening.
Kids will take part in STEM programming in the site’s Cox Technology Center; get help with and complete their homework in the education room; play foosball, ping pong, and recreational activities in the games space; experience art and creative programming in the multipurpose area; and expend some energy in the outdoor play area.
Registered members can bring their electronic devices to complete remote schoolwork at the extension site from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Club staff will provide technical assistance for logging into remote school sites and help children as they manage their schoolwork schedules. When schoolwork is complete, kids will participate in regular fun Club programming and activities.
When children return to in-person schooling, the BGCS Anthem Extension site will adjust its hours to provide after-school programming from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
BGCS continues to operate with a comprehensive safety plan that follows CDC and local health guidelines put in place at the onset of statewide COVID-19 closures.
“We have been operating Summer Camp effectively with our new safety procedures in place for over two months now,” explained Julien. “We are able to control the Club environment including the number of people in the facility to ensure physical distancing with our programming and regular handwashing for the kids. Our youth are learning great healthy lessons that will serve them well, especially when schools return to in-person learning.”
New members are currently being accepted. Space is limited to assure physical distancing. Register online at www.bgcs.org/clubconnect.
- Kids will need to bring their own tech devices and headphones. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale will provide the WIFI and staff to assist with technology setup, troubleshooting, and managing schoolwork completion.
- Kids will take part in regular Club activities when schoolwork is complete.
- A current $25 annual membership is required for all kids who attend a Club
- Facilitated Virtual Learning programming for youth grades K-6th is $179 per week or $40 a day for those families who only need a few days a week.
The following safety procedures are in place at all Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale facilities:
- All members and staff have their body temperature taken with no-touch thermometers prior to entering the facility
- Hand sanitizer is required for all entering the facility
- Planned/spaced hand washing for members between rotations
- Hourly disinfecting of high touch areas
- Programming that is physical distancing conscious
- Field trips and external outings have been canceled until further notice
- Entry is limited to those who provide direct services to Club members
- Professional regularly scheduled sanitization of facilities
- Facial coverings (covering nose and mouth) required for members and staff
In addition to the new Anthem Extension site, Facilitated Virtual Learning is available at the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch in south Scottsdale, the Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch in Fountain Hills, the Virginia G. Piper Branch in the Scottsdale Ranch neighborhood, the Thunderbirds Branch in the Grayhawk Community, and the Vestar Branch in Desert Ridge.
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, please visit www.bgcs.org.
