Every Club Counts: Bringing Custom Apparel and Spirit Wear to All Student Programs

In today’s educational landscape, extracurricular activities have expanded far beyond traditional sports. From robotics and debate to drama and environmental clubs, students are engaging in a diverse array of programs that enrich their academic experience and build lifelong skills.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 57% of children aged 6 to 17 participate in at least one after-school extracurricular activity, and nearly 29% are involved in clubs or non-sport lessons such as music, language, or drama. These programs aren’t just feel-good add-ons—they’re game-changers for student development, building confidence, commitment, and community.

Despite their importance, many of these programs lack access to custom apparel that fosters unity and school spirit. Gary Goldberg, President and Founder of SquadLocker, emphasizes,

“Every student group, whether it’s the chess club or the marching band, deserves the same sense of identity and pride that a football team enjoys. Our mission is to ensure that all programs have access to high-quality, custom apparel that brings their members together.”

SquadLocker’s made-to-order, single-unit manufacturing model eliminates order minimums and keeps online stores open year-round. That means even the smallest clubs can outfit their members without financial strain or logistical headaches.

“Unlike other platforms I’ve worked with, SquadLocker is built for inclusivity,” says Matt McGovern, National Account Manager at SquadLocker. “A club with five students gets the same quality gear, service, and attention as a varsity team. Our SquadSchool program takes that even further, providing built-in fundraising, unlimited artwork services, and exclusive gear extras. It helps these programs stand out and raise the funds they need to keep investing in student development.”

Apparel isn’t just a utility—it’s a powerful fundraising tool. With SquadLocker’s built-in fundraising features, clubs and teams can earn money every time someone purchases spirit wear. No inventory. No hassle. Just seamless support.

This aligns perfectly with guidance from FACTS Management, who note that successful fundraisers should focus on three things:

• Ease of setup
• Low overhead
• High return

As FACTS says, “Fundraising isn’t only about collecting donations—it’s also a chance to boost morale and get your students, staff, and families full of school pride and the spirit of giving.”

With options like spirit wear stores, students, parents, and supporters can rally around a cause and represent their community in style. And when paired with FACTS Giving, schools can integrate tracking, automate giving, and even activate tools like text-to-give, making it even easier to support emerging programs—from STEM to multicultural initiatives.

To support school-wide equity and organization, our SquadSchool membership program takes things a step further. Schools enrolled in SquadSchool receive:

• Professional artwork services for high-quality, branded designs.
• A custom landing page featuring all school clubs, teams, and activities.
• A single shopping cart experience for families to easily purchase gear across multiple programs.

It’s a scalable solution that reduces friction and elevates visibility for every group, not just the big names on campus.

Our integration with FACTS Management connects custom apparel to a broader school ecosystem that includes tuition management, communication tools, family engagement, and more.

With SquadLocker as part of that whole-school platform, custom gear becomes another seamless touchpoint—streamlined, secure, and fully aligned with how modern schools operate.

Read the full press release about the FACTS x SquadLocker partnership

Whether it’s an emerging pickleball team, a growing esports league, or a small STEM club just getting started, every student deserves to feel seen, united, and proud. At SquadLocker, we make it possible—with no order minimums, 24/7 stores, inclusive design tools, and built-in fundraising that fuels what’s next.

Learn more about how SquadLocker and SquadSchool can support your school’s diverse programs.

Safety is a cornerstone of every school. It’s not just a regulatory concern—it’s a reflection of stewardship, trust, and care for students. As schools serve growing communities of students, families, and staff, the need for a dependable, modern visitor management system (VMS) becomes not just relevant—but essential.

Gone are the days when a handwritten name on a sign-in sheet was enough. In today’s environment, schools need smart, efficient tools that provide real-time visibility, accountability, and security for every person entering campus grounds.

Let’s explore why schools are increasingly adopting VMS as part of their commitment to protecting what matters most.

A Visitor Management System is a digital upgrade to traditional sign-in processes. It replaces pen-and-paper logs with a secure system that scans IDs, tracks visitor movement, and stores visit records.

For schools, this means:

• Knowing exactly who is on campus at any time
• Ensuring all visitors are properly identified
• Logging visit history for security and compliance purposes
• Preventing unauthorized access to school facilities

Private and independent schools are known for their close-knit communities. Parents, church staff, volunteers, and vendors regularly walk through campus doors. This makes it even more important to ensure that everyone who enters is identified, logged, and cleared.

A VMS does more than log names—it supports a school’s commitment to safety, order, and accountability, all while honoring the values that guide its mission.

1. Real-Time Awareness and Accountability

A visitor management system ensures that school leaders always know who is on campus. Whether it’s a parent, a repair technician, or a guest speaker, the system tracks check-in and check-out times with precision. This visibility is vital not only for everyday operations but also during emergency situations, reunifications, or lockdowns.

2. Faster, Smoother Check-Ins

Busy mornings and events can create congestion at the front office. A VMS streamlines this process with:

• ID Scanning: Captures visitor data securely
• On-Demand Badge Printing: Clearly displays names, photos, and purposes of visit
• Pre-Registration: Speeds up check-ins for returning or scheduled guests

This creates a more organized, welcoming experience while reinforcing security protocols.

3. Built-In Safety Protocols

In schools, nurturing environments go hand-in-hand with strong protection. A VMS can instantly flag visitors who may pose a risk, based on background check integration. If an emergency arises, staff can access a full list of who is on-site within seconds—an invaluable feature for first responders.

VMS platforms can also integrate with school alert systems, ensuring coordinated responses during drills or real incidents.

Families seek schools they can trust. A visible, reliable visitor management process reinforces that trust.

• Parents see a professional, consistent approach to safety
• Visitors experience a streamlined, respectful check-in process
• Staff have peace of mind knowing protocols are followed without exception

This builds a culture of openness, responsibility, and shared commitment to protecting students.

Visitor management works best when paired with broader campus safety strategies. Many FACTS partner schools combine VMS with:

• Access Control Systems: Limit entry to authorized personnel
• Security Cameras: Log visits with time-stamped video for added verification
• Emergency Management Tools: Support reunification and lockdown protocols

Together, these tools create a comprehensive safety system.

School administrators must often balance limited resources with high expectations. A VMS helps schools remain compliant with state safety laws and accreditation standards by:

• Maintaining digital visitor logs for audits
• Supporting emergency drills with attendance data
• Reducing manual recordkeeping, saving valuable staff time

It’s an investment in stewardship—protecting both people and processes.

As with any new system, there are considerations:

• Cost: Schools must budget for hardware, software, and training
• Training: Staff need clear onboarding to use the system effectively
• Data Privacy: Visitor data must be handled securely, in compliance with laws

However, the long-term benefits in safety, trust, and operational efficiency far outweigh the initial lift. VMS providers like Pikmykid, who serve faith based and independent schools, offer scalable, user-friendly options to support smooth implementation.

Adopting a VMS isn’t just about technology—it’s about reinforcing the values of diligence, care, and responsibility that define education.

It tells families: “We’re watching. We’re ready. We’re committed to keeping your children safe—not just in prayer, but in practice.”

As school safety concerns grow, the need for tools like VMS grows with them. Schools must continue to evaluate their processes and strengthen their safety posture in a way that reflects their goals or mission.

If your school is exploring ways to improve campus security, strengthen emergency readiness, and build trust with your families, a VMS may be the right solution.

Learn how visitor management fits into your school’s safety strategy with a free consultation with Pikmykid.