history and about

Home / About

Our Story

For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have changed lives by enabling youth and teens to reach their full potential. We give access to experiences and opportunities that children might not have otherwise, leveling the playing field and paving a path to success.

Our Mission

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens

Our vision

Provide a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. 

Local history

Boys Clubs of America grants an operating charter in August 1986 and a Club opens in a city-owned facility in Beaufort. Shortly thereafter a second site at Beaufort Elementary School opens to serve youth ages 6-12 while the first site serves teens. A Club is established in the Sandalwood Terrace public housing complex on Hilton Head Island.

The Beaufort Housing Authority donates an apartment so the Hilton head Island Club could expand.

Construction begins on the long awaited 25,000 square foot building that will house the Beaufort Club.

The new Beaufort Club opens its doors to more than 500 youth

Thanks to the Van Landingham Rotary Club land is purchased near the Hilton Head Island schools. The land is used for a full service Club on Hilton Head Island.

Board member and tennis great, San Smith, launches a capital campaign to build, equip and endow a 28,000 square foot facility off of Gumtree Road on Hilton Head Island.

The Bluffton Club opens at MC Riley Elementary School.

Ground is broken for the new Hilton Head Club with more than $5.8 million pledged to the capital campaign.

A new club opens at Ridgeland Elementary School in Jasper County, South Carolina.

The Sheldon Club opens in a former county building on Agnes Major Road in Sheldon.

The new Bluffton Boys & Girls Club opens its doors at the current location.

The former Teen Center building (Beaufort Club) is sold and proceeds are used to support the Beaufort Club operations. The Club forms a partnership with Bridges Preparatory School. Building is remodeled and creates a K-6 school for 360 students. A learning center is established at the school/club thanks to a $50,000 grant from Coastal Community Foundation-Learning Center Fund. End of 2013, 2220 members were served.

Summer extension site is opened at Shanklin Elementary School in Beaufort, South Carolina. Organization now owns two club buildings (Bluffton and Hilton Head). Operates four partnered locations.

Hilton Head Island Club launched The First Tee of the Lowcountry and secured a 50 year land lease with the town of Hilton Head Island along with raising $1.5M for the facility to be build adjacent to the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head begins $5 million dollar capital campaign to support capital projects, increase endowment funds and enhance programs.

New after-school programs open at Broad River Elementary located in Northern Beaufort County.

Bluffton begins $600,000 capital campaign for Literacy Center addition.

Jasper County area board begins exploring opportunities to open a Club in Hardeeville.

  • Brays Island Nine & Dine Event raises $60,000 for the Sheldon Club.
  • June Average Daily Attendance (ADA) hits a record high of 877.
  • Bluffton Club completes their capital campaign for the Literacy Center addition and raises more than $650,000.

  • Hardeeville Elementary pilot program opens in Jasper County on January 7th.
  • St. Helena Club opens in Northern Beaufort County on January 27th.
  • Awarded 21st Century Learning Center grant from SC Department of Education to expand Hardeeville Club – 4 year grant ($259,400 per year). 
  • Bluffton Club opens Literacy Center permitting 150 more youth to be served.
  • Ridgeland Club relocates to Ridgeland Elementary. 
  • Average Daily Attendance surpases 1,000 youth per day.
  • Jasper County launches first ever Teen Outreach Program.
  • Hilton Head received an estate gift of $450,000, funds are used for major capital improvements.

The Global COVID-19 Pandemic forces Clubs to pause operations and then reopen at limited capacity. Enrollment suffers and fundraising opportunities are hindered.

Hilton Head Island Club received a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant for an outdoor Pavilion which was built in 2020.

Years of significant rebuilding!

Sheldon location is closed and funds are reallocated to operate Whale Branch Elementary School

national organization history

4 women are credited to forming this organization:  Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, Elizabeth Hammersley, and Louisa Bushnell believed that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, so they organized the first Club. With character development as the cornerstone of the experience, the Club focused on capturing boys’ interests, improving behavior and increasing their personal expectations and goals. A cause was born!
In 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate. The Federated Boys Clubs in Boston was formed with 53 member organizations – this marked the start of a nationwide movement and our national organization. 1931: In 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America.  They received a U.S. Congressional Charter in 1956 and celebrated its 50th anniversary.  
The national organization’s name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990 to recognize that females are an equal part of the organization.. Accordingly, Congress amended and renewed the charter. 

visit boys and girls clubs of America website