In more than 350 military Youth Centers worldwide, children and families find the same guidance, stability and dynamic programs provided by traditional Boys & Girls Clubs. From teen leadership groups to fine arts contests, BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers give members a positive place to learn and grow.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America's partnership with the military began during the Persian Gulf crisis. As parents in the Reserves and National Guard were deployed overseas, BGCA asked local Clubs to reach out to children in need, providing memberships and special programming to some 17,000 youth.

Working with the Department of Defense, BGCA went on to develop formal partnerships with each branch of the Armed Forces. BGCA recognized that military Youth Centers have a long tradition of excellent service to youth. The BGCA partnership complements that tradition, offering Youth Center members consistent programming and stable support. No matter where families are transferred, children in any military community will find the same quality services and programs.

A Sense of Place

Children on military bases face more than the usual challenges of growing up, from moving and re-establishing friendships every few years to worrying about family members who have been deployed. Youth Centers are here to help, providing stability and a sense of place. With time-tested Boys & Girls Club programs at every military installation Youth Center, members will always feel at home.

What the Youth Center Offers

The military Youth Center is a positive place that offers a wide variety of educational, recreational, cultural and social activities. Using a comprehensive youth development strategy, caring, trained staff provide guidance in helping girls and boys to:

• discover their needs.
• pursue their interests,
• nurture their talents,
• broaden their viewpoints,
• dissolve their prejudices,
• resolve their conflicts,
• set their goals,
• understand themselves, and
• have fun!

MISSION: Youth Outreach
Now serving children of Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force!

Supporting Military Families
There are military families in every community. With this in mind, Boys & Girls Clubs should open their doors to children of all military families. Giving these young people a safe place to go, staffed with caring adults, provides relief to these families.

To reach these youth, local non-military Boys & Girls Clubs are encouraged to distribute MISSION: Youth Outreach brochures, which target these families. 

Should you need additional information, please contact us at msi@bgca.org.