Standing Watch

Children protest racism at private club

Private club claims kids would “change the complexion” of their membership

It was a typical summer day in Northwest Philadelphia, hot and humid, on June 29, 2009. Creative Steps Daycare had a plan to cool things down a bit, a weekly trip to a private club called The Valley Swim Club. Membership was a hefty $1,900 for the one day per week membership, but for 60 plus children, all that mattered was getting into the pool.

 Unfortunately, the first visit for these children was cut short, and to be their last. As the African-American children entered the pool for a few hours of fun splashing around, white children were evacuated by their parents, who demanded from club staff to know “what are all these black kids doing here?” According to Horace Gibson, a parent of one of the daycare children, “The pool attendants came and told the black children that they did not allow minorities in the club and needed the children to leave immediately.” Children of the day camp report multiple comments were aimed at them regarding the color of their skin.

Shortly after, the club had refunded the daycare’s money without explanation, and cancelled their membership. While the daycare staffers were still bewildered and uncertain as to the reasons behind what had happened, Valley Swim Club president John Duesler issued this public statement: “There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club,” making quite clear the reasons behind the sudden eviction.

According to The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, PA, accusations of racism toward the Creative Steps day camp are untrue. It says it was overcrowded and returned funds to more than one camp. The club says any comments that may or may not have been made by members aren’t shared by its board. In a statement on the private club’s web site, the club doesn’t have the capacity to deal with outside groups and returned funds to more than one camp. In its statement, the club calls its membership diverse.

The Valley Swim Club has shut down their web site since issuing the statement.