Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with three women in Hartford, Connecticut—Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, and Elizabeth Hammersley.

Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club.

With character development as the cornerstone of the experience, the Club focused on capturing boys’ interests, improving their behavior, and increasing their personal expectations and goals.

A cause was born!

Learn more about the history of the Clubs here. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with three women in Hartford, Connecticut - Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, and Elizabeth Hammersley

Meet the founders

Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with three women in Hartford, Connecticut - Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, and Elizabeth Hammersley

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Catch Up with the Club
  • Summer Camp 2024 Registration is now Open!

    2024 Summer Camp Countdown

    Join us at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County for an action-packed summer camp featuring STEAM activities, field trips, arts, and more—register today and make this summer the best one yet!

  • Watch "Yummy Kitchen" a production of our Y-Media program

    Culinary Creativity and Camera Skills: The Yummy Kitchen

    Discover how our club members from The Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County combined culinary arts and digital media skills to create a memorable episode of "The Yummy Kitchen" at the Culinary Education Center in Asbury Park.

  • Meet our 2024 Youth of the Year!

    Celebrating Kai: BGCM’s Youth of the Year

    Join us in celebrating Kai S., the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County's Youth of the Year, who exemplifies leadership, service, and academic excellence as they prepare to represent us at the state competition.