About the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth
The Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth has been serving the youth of Plymouth and the surrounding areas since 1911 (operating as the Boys Club of Plymouth until 1988). The Club welcomes children and teens ages 6 to 18, providing a safe environment where they can engage in a variety of enriching activities.
History of Our Movement
The first Boys Club, known as the Dashaway Club, was founded in 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut, by three women: Elizabeth Hamersley and sisters Mary and Alice Goodwin. In 1906, 53 independent Boys Clubs united in Boston to form the Federated Boys Clubs of Boston, creating a national organization called the Federated Boys Clubs of America.
In 1911, the Boys Club of Plymouth was founded. In 1931, the organization renamed itself Boys Clubs of America, and in 1990, it became Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
As of 2025, there are over 5,000 autonomous local clubs affiliated with the national organization. Collectively, these clubs serve more than four million boys and girls. Clubs can be found in all 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and U.S. military bases. In total, Boys & Girls Clubs of America employ approximately 50,000 staff members.
Our Rich History
Founded in 1911 and officially chartered in 1915 by the then-fledgling Boys Clubs of America, the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth has supported the community for over a century. Over the years, the Club’s focus has evolved to reflect the needs of its members. What began as a “gym and swim” program has transformed into a comprehensive approach to youth development, including academic support (basic skills and homework help), fitness and agility training, and programs tailored to boys and girls for individual and group development.
In 2003, the Club moved to its own state-of-the-art, 17,000-square-foot facility at 9 Resnik Road, Plymouth, MA. In July 2014, a newly constructed 3,000-square-foot Teen Center was opened exclusively to serve Plymouth area teens.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Boys & Girls Clubs of America as the number one youth organization for the 13th consecutive year and number 12 among all nonprofit organizations. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is also the official charity of Major League Baseball.
“If you want to change the world, start by changing the life of a child.” – Denzel Washington
Mission and Approach
The Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth offers young people what they need and want most:
- Adults who respect them and listen to them
- A safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves
- Constructive high yield learning activities that channel energy into meaningful and challenging pursuits
The Club’s youth development strategy fosters a sense of belonging, a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, and a sense of upward influence in their Club. This foundational strategy has helped build self-confidence and self-esteem in every member for more than one hundred years.
A Nationwide Network
As part of a nationwide affiliation of local, autonomous, private tax-exempt organizations under the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth works to help youth from all backgrounds develop into responsible citizens and leaders.
Programs and Impact
The Club offers daily access to programs in five core areas:
Character and Leadership Development
Education and Career Development
Sports, Fitness, and Recreation
With a team of 4 full-time staff, 11 part-time staff, and 47 volunteers, the Club provides a broad range of activities and services. Over 800 boys and girls, including those at risk, benefit from the guidance of trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help them take control of their lives, envision productive futures, and achieve their goals.
Non-Profit Status
The Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 04-2103926).
Join us in making a difference for the youth of Plymouth and the surrounding communities.