In an average year, as winter settles in, the number of kids enrolled in programming at the Boys and Girls Club of Door County nears 100. This week, the organization's headquarters reopened to afterschool programming for only 20. Carrying over policies from the summer, kids are divided into pods. There is no commingling so that a potential COVID-19 positive case does not force a quarantine of everyone at the center. Interim Director Eric Anderson says that the Hatch Center on Third Avenue can accommodate up to four pods or 40 participants with new staff. With that in mind, Anderson is hoping to partner with area businesses and churches to access new facilities.

Anderson says that those who apply for a job at the Boys and Girls Club must pass a background check, among other safeguards. Still, no professional or regulatory license is necessary. The organization had initially planned to reopen on September 28th before moving the date back one week as a precautionary measure. Anderson said the first days of in-person programming went smoothly.