Youth Club Certification

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

The Youth Club Certification has enhanced our Club’s operation by allowing a child to use the Club unsupervised, once they are at least ten (10) years old and complete the Youth Club Certification program. The emphasis of this program is to ensure each unsupervised child using the Club is well-versed in etiquette, rules of the Club, conduct, and behavior while on Club property. Once a child turns ten (10) the parents will be sent a letter explaining what the Youth Club Certification is, and available class dates for their child to complete the certification process. The one time certification includes an interactive exam and a full access tour of adult member and staff areas. Upon completion, the certified child will receive a diploma, special recognition in the bi-monthly bulletin and their picture will be hung in a frame outside the Teen Clubhouse.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The idea was implemented following the governance process. First, we developed a Youth Policies Handbook which documents all policies related to kids such as; the process for policy violations, age restrictions, conduct and decorum, attire, guests, club property, weather safety, swim, tennis, golf, fitness, teen clubhouse, kid city, bowling and ice rink. We provided this document to the Family Activities Committee for approval. Once approved, it went to the House Committee for approval and then to the Board of Governors. Then, we changed the by-law to state that kids must be ten (10) years or older to be on club property without adult supervision. Once all that was approved, we designed and developed the interactive quiz portion with input from the Family Activity Committee. We came up with hundreds of questions, all pulled from the Youth Policies Handbook, and narrowed it down to the top 50 we wanted kids to know and understand. Using those questions, we made a Columbia Country Club Jeopardy game using PowerPoint. When kids come to take the certification, we have a meet and greet with the attendees, 5-10 min prior to the start of the class. This allows kids to get to know the Youth Activities Director and the Operational Director, as well as get to know the other participants of the class. Participants of the class are with other club member’s children they may not have had the opportunity to meet. The initial meet and greet helps ease any nerves and answers any questions they may have about the class. We then head to the Teen Clubhouse to play a round of jeopardy (25 questions) with two teams, or as individuals depending on how many kids we have. For each question answered correctly, the kids on that team all receive one piece of candy. We then take a full access tour of the Club, focusing on adult areas and staff areas. The idea is to get them to understand how big the operation is, and which areas they are allowed to enter, or what age you must be to enter/use each outlet. We also talk about Club policies, how to handle certain situations, and the other questions omitted form the Jeopardy portion. Then we play a second round of Jeopardy (another 25 questions) and at the end, each player from the winning team, gets to pick a prize out of the prize box. We then give them their diploma and take their picture that will be framed and hung outside the Teen Clubhouse.

The members all have love with program. Not only are we helping teach kids the policies of the club, but it has helped kids feel that this is not just their parent's club, but their club too. Parents also love the program because it teaches kids what dues are, and when they charge something using a member number, there is someone paying for that charge at the end of the month. It has also helped Youth Activities Director and staff develop relationships with kids and their parents. The program has helped enforce safety rules while holding certified kids accountable, as well as certified kids helping us enforce the rules with those who have not yet completed the program. The program is a huge selling point to new and prospective members as well. To date, we have seen 80% of kids eligible for participation, complete the program. The children who complete the program tend to be biggest promotors. Every attendee has had fun, reporting to their parents what they learned about the Club and how much fun it was. Parents tell us that their kids could not stop talking about the program with a few asking if they can take it again.