Program Fees: Membership in The Clubhouse is $40/mo per child. Payment is due the first of the month, and a $25 late fee will be charged for any payments not made by the fifth of the month.
Program Hours: The Clubhouse is open from 12:30pm to 4:30pm each Monday. There is no attendance requirement or on-time arrival requirement. Members can drop in anytime as often or as little as they like during any month they have an active membership.
Pickup: Only people authorized on record by the parent/legal guardian may pick up a child. Please let us know ahead of time if you will be arriving late. Failure to arrive on time regularly may result in dismissal from the program.
Inclusivity: In our inclusive and equitable learning environment we welcome, respect and celebrate individual differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religion, ability, and neurodiversity. We encourage our members to actively challenge discrimination, both within our community and in society at large.
Consent: We value consent as an ongoing agreement between individuals, freely given without coercion, that can be withdrawn at any time. At Big Tree, children shape their own learning experiences and choose their level of participation in activities and projects. Facilitators help everyone express their needs, concerns, and boundaries about physical touch, personal space, sensory needs, and emotional well-being. We all work together to create an environment that values the autonomy and well-being of all participants.
Respect and Safety: Respect and empathy are cornerstones of our community. We actively discourage any form of discrimination or harassment, and we address any instances promptly and decisively. It is important that all members of our community feel physically and emotionally safe. We do not tolerate hateful speech or verbal/physical aggression. Facilitators are always active in supporting problem solving between children. Anyone persistently engaging in harmful behaviors may be removed from the program.
Conflicts: We use many interconnected conflict resolution processes. Facilitators help everyone check in with themselves and speak up about their feelings and needs. We use the Heart to Heart program for using Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in a classroom setting. Members are encouraged to collaborate with each other to resolve conflicts, and facilitators support and mediate this process as needed. We use Change Up meetings to discuss group conflicts and to co-create the culture of our community.
Community Library: Our library of books covers a wide range of subjects, including evolution, the Big Bang Theory, human anatomy, sexuality, gender, and religion. These books are appropriate for children, provide scientifically accurate information, and address questions with openness and honesty. Books about religion are from an academic learning perspective. No religious belief or practice is promoted or discredited. We choose history books that promote anti-racism, highlight marginalized voices, and challenge existing power structures. We hope this library promotes intellectual curiosity, fosters respect for all people, and helps members feel represented and valued.
Weapons: Members are not allowed to bring any weapons to Big Tree. Bringing a weapon may result in immediate dismissal from the program. Members may undertake projects involving tools (whittling, carving, etc) on a case by case basis with appropriate supervision. Pretend weapons (Nerf, foam swords, etc) may be used playfully after reaching group consensus about safety and individual comfort levels.
Personal Devices (cell phones, iPads, etc): Personal media devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc) are allowed at The Clubhouse. Facilitators do not monitor the content of device usage when a member is using their own device privately, out of view/sound of other members. When devices are shared between members for collaborative use, facilitators do monitor the content to ensure suitability for all members. What constitutes appropriate content and equitable resource sharing is an on-going, flexible conversation between parents, facilitators, and current members. Parents and members are encouraged to speak up with any questions, concerns, or ideas as we explore this topic as a community.