Program Policies and Procedures

Parent Communication

Once your child has been registered for an after-school class, summer camp, or other program, all announcements regarding your child’s session will be sent via Google Classroom. This is where you’ll hear about weather-related cancelations, changes to the schedule, or other time-sensitive announcements. It’s also the fastest way for you to communicate directly with your child’s coaches.

You will be sent an invitation via email. Accepting this invitation will add you to the class and allow you to receive notifications either through email or through the app. On occasion some email addresses associated with schools are businesses aren’t compatible with Classroom, so you may need to make a free Gmail account in order to communicate with us.

General news about our programs is emailed to parents every two weeks; this is where you’ll hear about new classes, participant opportunities, events, and other community offerings. When you register an account with First Tee — Greater New Orleans, the email address you use is automatically added to our list.

Registration

Registration for all programs must be done in advance through the website. Our classes do fill up, especially at popular times and locations, so please plan to register when the upcoming session is announced. We are unable to reserve spaces and all registrations are first-come, first-serve.

Please do not try to register your child in person at class; even in the event that there is space in the class, our coaches are not permitted to accept new registrations. If there is space, you are welcome to sign up last minute, just please complete your transaction through the website before arriving to class and bring a copy of your confirmation email to show the coach.

The registration period for programs will open approximately a month before the start date and close by the first class. For summer camps, registration will close when the session is full or the Wednesday before the camp begins.

If your child is on a waitlist, you will receive an automated message if a spot becomes free. If you still wish to register, you have 48 hours to accept the open spot and make your payment. After 48 hours the next participant on the wait list will be automatically moved up.

Financial Aid

We offer financial aid to assist participants in economic need. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program are automatically eligible for free tuition at First Tee — Greater New Orleans after-school classes (financial aid is not available for summer camp). Families experiencing economic hardship are also welcome to receive financial aid through our pay-what-you-can option. When registering for classes, complete the Financial Aid section to apply. Once we approve your request, you will receive an email inviting you to complete your transaction. Please keep an eye out for this email; your registration must be completed within 48 hours of receiving it in order for your child to secure a place in class. If participants receiving Financial Aid do not attend either of the first two classes of a session or their parents do not notify a coach of their absence, their spot will be opened for a child on the waitlist.

Please note that financial aid covers the class fee, but not the yearly membership. If you are not able to afford the membership dues, contact us at [email protected]. No student will be turned away for lack of funds.

Memberships and Cancellation Policy

All participants in our programs are required to purchase a yearly membership. Membership dues are non-refundable. With their membership, each participant receives a First Tee hat, shirt, bag and a membership card which allows for discounts at our partner courses. Memberships cannot be purchased without a class or camp registration.

You can receive a full credit to your First Tee account for your program session fee by canceling 14 days or more before the start of the session. For cancelations within 14 days of the first class, you will receive a 50% credit. Please make all cancelation requests by emailing our program staff or [email protected]. Cancelations on or after the first day of class are not eligible for a credit. Method-of-payment refunds will no longer be issued.

First Tee – Greater New Orleans reserves the right to change the specifics of a class or activity, or to cancel a class, an event, or field trip. Prorated credits will be issued if less than 75% of the scheduled classes are held.

Transfers

Requests to transfer session locations are subject to availability. There is no fee for transferring your dates of registration. You must submit your transfer request at least 7 days in advance of your originally scheduled program.

Attendance

Our classes are offered in 4-week or 8-week sessions. Our curriculum is built around learning a new skill each week and working towards goals. For this reason, we place emphasis on good attendance. Coaches are required to start and end classes on time, no matter the number of participants present for class.

Safety

Inclement Weather

In the event of a cancelation due to existing or expected bad weather, program staff will notify participants and families of cancellation via Google Classroom.

In the event of on-site cancellation, coaches must remain at the facility with participants until the participant’s parent, guardian, or approved pick up person arrives.

If no cancelation is announced, class is still meeting as scheduled. We will make adjustments to activities to work around mildly inclement weather such as light rain or wind.

Staff and Volunteers

Safety is a priority at First Tee — Greater New Orleans, and in the First Tee network globally. All employees, coaches, volunteers, and board members complete a background check prior to working with youth and are trained and certified through the Safe Sport program. This is a rigorous training designed to help adults recognize and protect against child abuse. More information on this program is available through First Tee headquarters.

Coaches, staff, and volunteers are not allowed to provide transport to participants unless the parent or guardian has given permission and signed a transportation waiver.

Participants

Parents/guardians are required to sign a Program Participation Waiver during registration for each participant in their household prior to partaking in any First Tee activity.

All participants must be signed in and out of our programs. Participants will not be released to someone who is not their parent, guardian, or listed on their registration as someone approved to pick them up from class. Exceptions may be made for older students; please contact us at [email protected] or speak with our coaching staff.

To ensure participant safety, the following behavior will not be tolerated:

  • swinging clubs without permission from instructors
  • running on the course and/or practice areas, or entering the pro shop and/or clubhouse at any time without permission from instructors
  • bouncing or throwing golf balls without permission from instructors
  • lack of attention or adherence to safety zones
  • horseplay and behavior that may cause harm to participants, coaches, or volunteers
  • horseplay, sitting, or driving near or in golf carts or any other motorized transportation

If a student displays inappropriate behavior, the following steps will be taken:

  • The coach will speak to the participant to address the problem and review acceptable behavioral expectations.
  • If inappropriate behavior does not improve, the Program Director will notify the child’s parent/guardian.
  • If inappropriate behavior persists after parent notification, the participant will be asked to leave the program and will not receive a refund of any kind.

First Aid

In the event of a severe injury or emergency involving a participant, program staff will call 911 immediately and provide first aid until help arrives. Minor or non-threatening injuries will be handled by the on-site coach. The emergency contact that you have provided during registration will be notified by phone call.

Parental Attendance

Space to Swing

Parents are welcome to stay and watch their child’s session at a non-distracting distance to give both our participants and coaches “Space to Swing.” Encroaching parents not only divert the attention of their own child, but also can distract the other participants in class. If assistance with your participant or their class is needed, the coach will determine how best to make each group of students feel comfortable and we ask for your support in those adjustments.

We encourage parents who are interested in volunteering to contact us at [email protected].

Dress

Participants should arrive for sessions dressed in accordance with our partnering golf course’s standards. Clothing choices should also be appropriate for physical activity.

  • First Tee shirt and hat (preferred)
  • Comfortable shorts, pants, or athletic skirts
    • No denim or jeans
  • T-shirt or collared shirt
    • No inappropriate designs or language
  • Hats and visors are optional, but good on sunny days
  • Sneakers or golf shoes
    • No open-toed shoes, flip-flops, high heels, sandals, boots, or cleats.

Media Policy

The use of phones, tablets, or gaming devices is prohibited during sessions unless otherwise instructed by the coach.