Since it first opened its doors in 2001, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Baraboo/Sauk County has operated under an Open Door policy in which members were free to come and go as they wish throughout the day.

Neighborhood youth would walk to the Club after school and on hot summer days. When they needed a break from the Club or when it was meal time, they would walk home, often returning to the Club later in the day. But times have changed and it is not always safe for young people to be walking down the street by themselves. In an effort to increase the safety of its members, the Club is going to adopt what it calls the Safe Passage Policy.

Under the Safe Passage Policy, members will no longer be free to come and go from the Club throughout the day as they wish.

For members under the age of 12, a parent, guardian or other authorized adult (e.g. family member, baby sitter) must retrieve the member from the Club. Members age 12 and older may leave the club unescorted with written permission from a parent or guardian.

After a member leaves the Club, he or she may not return until the following day. The new policy took effect when the Club Board of Directors adopted the policy at 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at which time the Club implemented the policy immediately.

"The Club has always prided itself on being a safe and positive place for the youth of the community," said Sarah Resch, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Baraboo/Sauk County. "Unfortunately, our staff cannot control what happens to our members once they leave the Club.

"We have made immediate changes due to the size and layout of our building, which requires all youth have a plan of how they will exit the Club on file.

"When picking up youth, parents will now be required to come to the Club front desk.

"Any changes to the normal plan must be given to the Club staff in writing. The primary reason for this change is to encourage members to stay at the Club for as long as possible, rather than leave the premises unsupervised where they may be exposed to dangers that are beyond the control of our staff."