About the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa

Serving the Ottawa area since 1923, the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa is a leader in after-school, weekend and summer programs for children and youth aged 6 to 18 years. Each year, through its seven locations strategically located in vulnerable areas throughout the city, the Club offers approximately 4,500 children and youth barrier-free access to a supportive place where they can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. Membership and programs are completely free.

After-school and weekend hours are a critical time for youth. That time can represent either an opportunity to learn and grow through quality after-school programs, or be a time of risk to youth’s health and safety. Experts agree that after-school programs offer a healthy and positive alternative. They keep kids safe, improve academic achievement and help relieve the stresses on today’s working families. They can serve as important intervention strategies for youth.

The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa operates under four specific pillars of programming: Education; Physical Activity/Healthy Lifestyle; Leadership and Social Skills; and Creative Arts. These pillars are comprehensive and encapsulate the overarching goal of social skills development to build strong and productive community members.