Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes Inc

Our Story

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Detroit Lakes and Perham have shifted gears several times over the past few years addressing different needs faced by local youth due to the pandemic. Thanks to the committed staff and partners dedicated to thinking of creative ways to serve the mission, the Clubs have not stopped offering programs and services to Becker County and Ottertail County's youth. Over the last few years, we have been blessed to sustain strong services, although they changed in nature temporarily. Some of the programs and services we have offered include free curbside meals for youth, in-home activity kits, full-day hybrid learning support, and in-person full day summer care as well as in-person before and afterschool fun and programming. Donations support the work our Clubs continues to do every day. Thank you!

"I'm so glad my mom and dad let me start at Boys & Girls Club this fall...Boys & Girls Club is a place where I can be myself and have fun and not have to worry about anything" - Club Member, 10 years old

Our Clubs have responded to the needs of children in our area since 1957.  Between our Clubs in Detroit Lakes and Perham, we serve over 850 children between the ages of 5 and 18, with more than 250 of those children bursting through our doors each day after school.  Our mission, “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens” motivates us to keep reaching out to serve more kids and families in the Becker and Otter Tail County areas of Minnesota.

Every day, our members receive time for social interaction, physical activities, arts and crafts time, and nutritious meals and snacks.  We choose only the best adult staff and mentors to work one-on-one with our members.  The activities and programs we implement focus on three priorities:  academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.  We strive to provide experiences so rich and so fun that our members want to come back day after day!

By our mission, we are committed to serving those young people “who need us most”.  To do this, we must understand what our members and their families need.  For many, the need is financial. For others, the need is simply a safe and fun place to go after school. Other children need help academically, while some need a place where they can be assured a snack and a hot meal. Need is expressed in many different ways, so we offer our services as though every child who walks through our doors needs us most.

Childhood should be a time of discovery and excitement. It should be full of feelings of security and support from others around them. At the same time, it needs to be a time of growth and moving forward into young adulthood with all its responsibilities and expectations. Striking a balance is so very important – and that is what we do so very well at our Clubs.

Please consider a gift to our Club.  We believe that every child deserves a chance at greatness – to reach their full potential – and we hope that you will support our efforts to make that happen for every child we serve.