Boys & Girls Clubs of Copperas Cove announces day camps for mission essential employees, enrollment now open

Special to Leader-Press

To more adequately and effectively meet the emerging needs of individuals and families affected by disaster events in our local area, Boys & Girls Clubs of Copperas Cove (BGCCC) will begin to offer Day Camps for mission-essential employees important for supporting the infrastructure needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

Beginning Tuesday, March 31, BGCCC will operate essential family support day-camps for 5-12 year-olds at the BGCC Clubhouse (Fairview Community Church) – 1202 Veterans Ave., Copperas Cove.

Day Camps will provide youth of mission-essential families with a safe place, positive adult supervision, exposure to traditional Boys & Girls Clubs youth development programs – centered on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character & citizenship - and a minimum of two meals and a snack per day.

Day Camps will adhere to State and Federal 10+ gathering restrictions and follow CDC guidelines extended to child development agencies.

BGC-EWC will observe rigid safety measures associated with disinfection, health screenings for participants, and proper health care modeling.

At this time, in order to ensure compliance with COVID-19 related safety guidelines, BGCCC can only provide day camp services to 30 youth.

Accordingly, day camp enrolment will be extended to families in the following priority audience order:

1. Youth of mission-essential families who support the COVID-19 response infrastructure of medical and government entities in Coryell County – City and County staff, first responders, Texas National Guard, hospital workers, and healthcare workers.

2. Youth of families employed by “essential businesses” – as defined by the Department of Homeland Security - critical to supporting the region’s COVID-19 economic infrastructure.

In order to sustain BGCCC program delivery and operations during and following the pandemic period, the Club will institute a $75 weekly fee per child for day camp participation. Club leaders are actively seeking agreements with eligible mission-essential agencies and firms to establish partnerships that 1) reserve BGCC Day Camp slots for a partner’s employment base, and 2) provide financial support for program participation. Eligible agencies interested in partnership opportunities may contact Daniel Hall at dhall@bgctx.org.

Families interested in day camp services must enroll eligible youth online at www.bgctx.org or at Club sites, and submit proof of residency and mission essential employment status prior to day camp participation.

Applying for BGCC’s Day Camps does not automatically admit eligible youth child(ren). Day Camp support for families and agencies will be provided upon availability and priority for employee functions that play an essential role in our community. Please consider whether you have other options for your child's supervision before applying.

BGCC Day Camps will operate Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until such time that pandemic related emergency child care solutions are no longer required.