AFTER SCHOOL DROP-IN PROGRAM
Watertown Boys & Girls Club offers it’s traditional After School Drop-In Program from Monday-Friday for youth and teen members ages 7-18 years on days when Watertown Public Schools are in session. Members can participate in a range of programs and activities during their time at the Club. Program schedules will be updated by session and available on the “Youth Programs” page of our website!
IMPORTANT: Please note that our traditional After School Drop-In program operates separately from our new KidConnect Licensed After School program. Click the link for details on the KidConnect program.
Special thanks to the Watertown Community Foundation, Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation and Cambridge Savings Bank Foundation for providing the funding for free healthy snacks for all members in our After School Drop-In Program!
ABOUT our After School Drop-In Program
To participate in the After School Drop-In Program:
- Register for a WBGC Membership: CLICK HERE to register for a Membership. Note that membership runs from Sep-Aug and must be renewed for each school year.
- Register for the After School Drop-In Program: CLICK HERE to register for After School Drop-In Program.
Hours Of Operation
Monday – Friday:
Cadets (Ages 7-10) : 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Juniors (Ages 11-12) : 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Teens (Ages 13-18) : 2:30 PM – 8:00 PM
On WPS early release days, the After School Drop-In program will open at 12:00pm
Saturday & Sunday:
Please note there is NO drop-in program on the weekends.
Our Club offers a limited schedule of registered programs on the weekends and during school vacation breaks during the school year. Visit our ONLINE REGISTRATION portal for current available programs.
Supervision:
Please note our after school drop-in program is NOT a licensed childcare program. Members participating in programs should remain in supervised areas at all times.
Watertown Boys & Girls Club provides our members with Youth Development Programming. Supervision is provided for members INSIDE the Club, and during occasional Club-organized activities both outside and offsite.
FAQ’s About After School Drop-In Program
What does After School Drop-in Program mean? Do I need to register my child for the Membership AND the After School Drop-In Program?
Yes, a child must first be registered as a Club member, and then they must be registered in the After School Drop-In Program in order to attend .
What is your Drop-In Policy?
Watertown Boys & Girls Club is a drop-in Youth Development facility. Supervision is provided for members INSIDE of the Club, and during occasional Club organized activities both outside and offsite. We encourage all members to stay in the Club’s supervised areas at all times. Different families have different rules for their own children regarding expectations about leaving the Club or staying inside of the supervised areas. We ask families to discuss these expectations to be sure each child knows their family’s rules about when they are allowed to leave the Club. Please Note: Club staff cannot be responsible for members that leave supervised areas and members should only leave the Club if they have permission from their parent/guardian. We cannot prohibit any child from leaving the building, so it is critical that you discuss your expectations with your child.
Are there “sessions” where we would need to re-register every 6-8 weeks?
Our Drop-In program is for the school year (Sept – June). Members can enroll at any time throughout the year and the membership fee is $25.00. There are often additional program offerings that parents can register their children for separately that would run on specific start and end dates. An example of this would be swimming lessons, Biddy Basketball (for 2nd/3rd graders), and other programs that may happen during the school year. The day to day Drop-In Program is covered with the $25.00 membership fee.
How do you keep track of the children who are attending the program?
Members are required to sign in at our front desk when they enter the Club. This is how we know who is in the building at any given time.
Is it possible for the program to be “sold out” such that a child would not be able to join?
In theory, our Drop-In Program could fill. This would be out of the ordinary and has not recently happened. Specific programs may fill, but the child can still attend the After School Drop-In program as long as their membership is current.
Is there a designated activity each day or is it all free choice? Is there a schedule?
Each day there are choices of activities that will be posted on a dry erase board for the members to see as they enter the building. There are usually several choices each day.
There are multiple age groups – do they mix together or are they kept separate?
Some activities are for specific ages only, other activities can be selected by any of the members.
How are students released after the activities are concluded?
Parents that come to pick up their child will come inside to our front desk and tell us the name of the child they are picking up. Club staff use walkie talkies to call for the child to come to the desk to be picked up. Members use their card to scan out upon exiting the building.
Holidays, Early Release Days, School Closures & School Vacation Weeks:
Early Release Days: The Club will open 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM on most days that Watertown Public Schools have a scheduled early release day.
Scheduled days off for Watertown Public Schools: The Club is closed on most major holidays. The Club will be open on some of the days that Watertown Public Schools are not in session. Check our website for details.
School Vacation Weeks and Summer Camp: Please visit our website for information on school vacation and summer camp offerings.
Questions? Please contact us for more information:
email: info@watertownbgc.org
Tel: 617-926-0968
