Youth Safety Is Our Top Priority

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, nothing is more important than keeping young people safe. Every day, our Clubs provide fun, welcoming spaces where youth can learn, grow, and build positive relationships—all under the care of trained, trusted adults.

What Safety Looks Like at Our Clubs

We take a strong, proactive approach to youth safety. Our commitment includes:

  • Clear Safety Policies
    Every Club follows strict guidelines that protect youth and ensure appropriate behavior from staff, volunteers, and members.
  • Zero Tolerance for Misconduct
    We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior, abuse, or harassment of any kind. Every concern is taken seriously and addressed immediately.
  • Highly Trained, Caring Adults
    Our staff are well-trained to recognize warning signs and respond quickly. They complete ongoing training in abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and creating emotionally safe environments.
  • Empowered Youth
    We teach young people the social-emotional and decision-making skills they need to make safe, smart, and healthy choices—inside and outside the Club.

Safety is more than a promise—it’s a practice. From our hiring policies to everyday Club routines, we work hard to make sure every child who walks through our doors is protected, respected, and supported.

BGCTC Safety Policies

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our policies are designed to protect young people, support caring adults, and create an environment where all youth can thrive.

Background and Reference Checks

To keep our Clubs safe, all employees and volunteers go through a rigorous screening process. This includes:

  • Criminal background checks at the state, county, and national level
  • Identity verification and sex offender registry screening
  • Reference checks for all applicants—including those with prior Boys & Girls Club experience

Staff and volunteers in our OJP mentoring program also complete fingerprint verification. Volunteers who work directly and consistently with youth follow the same screening process as staff. In addition, pre-employment drug testing is required for all staff, in compliance with state and federal law.

Supervision and Professional Boundaries

We maintain clear boundaries and safety measures to ensure youth are never left alone with a single adult. Our supervision policies include:

  • Two adult staff members must be present in the Club at all times
  • Staff must never be alone with a member unless visible to others
  • If a member stays behind to talk or help, another youth must also be present

All staff are expected to maintain professional relationships with Club members. Outside contact—including babysitting, texts, phone calls, emails, or social media—is not allowed.

Restroom Safety

To safeguard privacy and reduce risk, our restroom procedures are as follows:

  • Only one youth may use the restroom at a time
  • Staff may monitor entrances during high-traffic times
  • If no staff-only restroom exists, youth restrooms must be cleared before adult use

Staff restrooms are for adults only, and youth are not permitted to enter them. Likewise, staff may not use youth-designated restrooms.

Training and Reporting

All staff and volunteers are trained before their first day on:

  • Preventing child abuse and grooming
  • Mandated reporting laws
  • BGCTC’s internal safety and supervision policies

We are committed to taking immediate action when concerns arise. Any allegation involving a staff member is reported directly to law enforcement. All staff and volunteers are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS). Critical incidents are also reported to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for transparency and accountability.

Community Supporters