2023 Session Dates
Week One: June 26–30
Week Two: July 3–7
Week Three: July 10–14
Week Four: July 17–21
Week Five: July 24–28
Week Six: July 31–August 4
Week Seven: August 7–11
Week Eight: August 14–20
Click here for more information on special events, programming or activities for youth and families.
Program
Program hours are:
Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–12 p.m. & 2–4 p.m.
Group One is designed for children who are 6 years old or will enter first grade in the fall. It serves as a transition between Children’s School and Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
This special full-day program (9 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m.) is held Monday–Friday and uses the Sheldon Hall of Education facilities in the morning and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club facilities in the afternoon.
The program includes active play, arts activities, swimming instruction and waterfront activities, nature programs, and special events. Children remain with the same teachers/counselors throughout the day.
Chautauqua Institution will communicate with registrants regarding COVID-19 protocols for Youth and Family Programs prior to the Summer Assembly. The protocols will be developed according to industry best practices, the most recent data and applicable regulations, and subject to change throughout the summer if and when those factors change.
Transportation
For the morning session from 9 a.m.–12 p.m., families with Children enrolled in Group One may follow the Children’s School Transportation guidelines:
Children enrolled in the Children’s School may ride the special bus to and from the school. Please take your child to Children’s School on the first day of attendance to receive specific bus stop information. If you are walking with your child, please be especially careful near the school and the areas designated for bus pick-up and drop-off.
If driving your child (from outside the grounds), you must enter via the Turner Gate, turn right on to Palestine, then make a left and park along Hedding. You may leave your car there briefly while you walk your child to the school. For the safety of our children, do not drive directly to the school or park in any area other than Hedding Avenue.
Bus Schedule
(NOTE: The below schedule time is morning pick up time | location | afternoon drop off time.)
South Bus
8:30 a.m. | Farmers Market | n/a
8:32 a.m. | Lincoln Park | 12:11 p.m.
8:35 a.m. | Cookman & Massey | 12:13 p.m.
8:38 a.m. | Overlook | 12:16 p.m.
8:41 a.m. | Hall of Christ | 12:19 p.m.
8:42 a.m. | Heinz Beach | 12:22 p.m.
8:46 a.m. | S. Lake and Cookman | 12:23 p.m.
8:47 a.m. | Sports Club | 12:25 p.m.
8:50 a.m. | Colonnade | 12:27 p.m.
8:57 a.m. | School | n/a
North Bus
n/a | Palestine and Scott | 12:06 p.m.
8:35 a.m. | Main Gate | 12:08 p.m.
8:36 a.m. | Library | 12:13 p.m.
8:40 a.m. | Miller Park | 12:19 p.m.
8:42 a.m. | Gleason | 12:20 p.m.
8:45 a.m. | McClintock & N. Lake | 12:21 p.m.
8:46 a.m. | Evergreen & Pratt | 12:24 p.m.
8:48 a.m. | North Shore Condo | 12:26 p.m.
8:50 a.m. | Pines | 12:27 p.m.
8:53 a.m. | Dance Studio | 12:28 p.m.
8:55 a.m. | School | n/a
For the afternoon session from 2–4 p.m., families with Children enrolled in Group One may follow the Boys’ and Girls’ Club Transportation guidelines:
Young people enrolled in the Boys’ and Girls’ Club may make whatever arrangements are most appropriate for their age and family dynamic. They may walk, ride a bicycle with a parent, sibling, babysitter or on their own, or utilize the public bus/tram system that travels the Chautauqua grounds 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
If you are driving your child to Club (from outside the grounds), you must enter via the Bryant Gate. Special arrangements have been made to open the Bryant Gate for Club and Group One participants only and following a schedule tied to Club’s hours of operation. The gate will be open daily 8:45–9:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m., 1:45–2:15 p.m., and 3:45–4:15 p.m.
Drive straight down Bryant to the foot of the hill adjacent to the tennis courts. Youth may be dropped off at that location, and vehicles can exit by returning directly to the Bryant Gate.
If families need to accompany their child (e.g. on the first day of attendance), they may park their car temporarily at the turn-around area at the foot of Bryant. Vehicle traffic and parking are not permitted in any other areas at Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
Staffing
Group One is led by Stephanie Dawson who joined the youth and family programs leadership team in 2021 in this new position after working as a Group One teacher for many summers. Each classroom has a head teacher and assistant teachers. The staff work as a team and share classroom and camp responsibilities to create an enriching, positive atmosphere. At Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Group One staff is joined by activity specialists including certified waterfront counselors for swimming or other lakefront activities and music, nature, and arts and crafts counselors.
Special Information
- Your child should bring a large shirt to use as a smock.
- Include your child’s name on all personal items brought to Group One.
- Have your child wear or bring gym shoes each day (no open-toed shoes). Water shoes are also recommended for the afternoon waterfront activities.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any of the staff babysit during the season?
A list of babysitters from the grounds and surrounding community is compiled by the Education Department. This list may or may not include Group One staff. Please email aporter@chq.org to request a copy of the babysitting list.
Does my child need a bathing suit?
Children should bring a bathing suit and towel for the afternoon sessions. Swimming (instructional and/or free swim) and other waterfront activities will be offered during the afternoon sessions with the certified waterfront staff at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club. It is also highly recommended that children where water shoes for all waterfront activities.
What happens if it rains while Group One is at Club?
When at Club, each group has a rain schedule in addition to their regular daily schedule. A variety of indoor activities are provided according to this schedule.
What regulations or guidelines impact the operation of Group One?
Group One operates under a day camp permit granted by the New York State Department of Health. Counselor-to-camper ratios, waterfront staff certifications, safety and emergency plans, water quality, and available medical staff support are all requirements of the permit-granting procedure.
May I register my child for single days or half days?
Registration for Group One may only be completed for full week sessions. Prorating, partial refunds, or other discounts for less than one week attendance will not be processed.