Boys and Girls Clubs of Marion County

About the Boys & Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with several women in Hartford, Connecticut Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club. Character development has been the cornerstone of the Boys & Girls Club experience since the first Club opened in 1860. The Club's leadership developed a system of informal guidance to attract boys into the Club, capture their interest, improve their behavior and increase their …
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Character & Leadership

Helping youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills for participating in the democratic process is the main thrust of the character and leadership programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs. They also develop leadership skills and provide opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to Club and community and celebrating our national heritage. Keystone Clubs Keystone Clubs are chartered small group leadership development clubs for young people ages 14 to18. Keystoners …
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Education & Career Development

Education And Career Development The following programs of the Boys & Girls Club help youth create aspirations for the future, providing them with opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement: Making Minutes Count A comprehensive homework help and tutoring program, POWER HOUR is designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members ages 6 to18. Goals For Graduation Goals for Graduation introduces Club members ages 6 to18 to the concept of academic goal setting. …
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Health & Life Skills

These programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs develop young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults: SMART Moves The SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) prevention/education program addresses problems such as drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity. The program uses a team approach involving Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. …
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How You Can Help

If you are interested in being a volunteer, you are welcome to stop by our facility or fill in our secure form listed under our contact us link. Your information will be kept strictly confidential and will never be sold to or shared with any other organization. Always feel free to call, fax or email us with your questions and comments. More than ever before, our children are faced with unprecedented challenges – lack of supervision, spiraling youth violence and increasing academic demands. …
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The Arts

These initiatives of the Boys & Girls Clubs help young people enhance self-expression and creativity, develop multicultural appreciation, provide exposure to and develop skills in crafts and visual, performing and literary arts: ImageMakers: National Photography Program View the 2006 ImageMakers National Photography Exhibit Virtual Gallery. Funded by the Circuit City Foundation, this comprehensive photography program encourages girls and boys to learn and practice photography, expressing …
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Boys & Girls Club News:

New Leadership at the Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County, which provide youth development programs for about a thousand local kids, has hired Stan Creel as its new Executive Director. Mr. Creel is replacing Jerry Lane, who retired in 2014 after a career of more than 40 years in the Boys & Girls Club. "I am excited about seeing the Boys and Girls Club soar to new heights," Mr. Creel said. "I'm eager to hear the board's vision and then lead our team of staff to create exceptional environments and …
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Come “Roc with the Docs!” Feburary 6th

Ready to Roc? Mark your calendars for Roc with the Docs and join us at the Ocala Hilton on February 6th, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of fine dining, dancing and an auction that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County. The gala event features the band, Second Opinion, which is composed of area physicians and healthcare professionals. The event is organized by the Boys & Girls Club board of directors, staff, members, and volunteers and a key to the event’s success are the …
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Michael Warren receives donation from the Reindeer Run

Reindeer Run Raises $21,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs

OCALA, FL -- Gateway Bank of Central Florida, along with more than 300 runners and community sponsors, raised $21,490 in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County at the annual Reindeer Run on December 13th. The race, which started and finished at Gateway Bank on Silver Springs Boulevard, kicked off the 59th annual Ocala Christmas Parade. The 5K event included several runners from the Dunnellon Unit of the Boys & Girls Club. Club member Victoria Ricketts placed third in the …
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