When the first school bell of the year rings, our Clubhouses are already in motion.
While kids are packing backpacks and teachers are setting up classrooms, our team is busy preparing to welcome the hundreds of young people across our seven sites for the after-school hours—the hours that research shows are among the most critical in a child’s day. These are the hours when kids are most likely to encounter risky situations if they’re unsupervised, but also the hours when life-shaping opportunities can take root—with the right support.
For our staff, back-to-school prep begins long before September. In August, teams gather for in-depth training on everything from positive guidance strategies to building high-quality programs rooted in youth development principles. Staff learn how to set age-appropriate expectations and create structured environments, reframe conflict in healthy ways, and implement Power Hour—our dedicated time for homework help and academic support. Meanwhile, supplies are unpacked and sorted—paper, markers, binders, books, basketballs, paint, technology—and program plans are finalized. Each site tailors its setup to meet the specific needs of its community, and each staff member plays a role in shaping the environment kids will walk into every day after school.
“We want the Club to feel like a second home,” says Asbury Park Unit Director Nini McClain.. “For some kids, this is the most consistent and encouraging place in their life.”
That consistency is intentional. Whether a member walks into our Club in Red Bank, Neptune, Long Branch, or Asbury Park, they’ll find caring adults, engaging activities, and a space designed to help them grow—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Back-to-school season may come with a long checklist for families, but at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, we make sure one item is never in doubt: a safe, inspiring place to be after school.
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