1980s

As the Club moved into the 1980s and membership expanded into the 2,000s with both parents in the workplace, the club grew to serve childcare needs when schools were out of session.

The club began opening from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on school holidays and started a ‘Camp At Home’ summer day camp with over 200 members staying at the club facility for an eight week summer day camp program.

The Teen Program expanded with dances, concerts, arcade games and a music and TV lounge.

In 1982 the Teen Council was formed to help operate the programs, selecting local bands and setting up community service projects and activities for young people.

The club also had a Teen Leadership Club and Keystone Karacters, which traveled to National BGCA conferences across the country. In 1986, the club merged with the Girls Club and started to offer bussing from the Clifton schools to the club after school every day for working parents. In addition, the club operated an early childhood pre-school and Oasis shelter for youth in trouble.

Club recreational leagues, cheerleading, swim team expanded, while the travel basketball team continued to grow.

The club’s basketball team won the NJJBL Championship by going undefeated in 1986 under the leadership of coach Tom DiDonna.

2002 - New commercial kitchen donated by the Laraja Foundation

2002 - As Clifton Schools reach new census figures, the Club began negotiations with Board of Education in March to use facilities to hold classes in the Club.

2001 - With expanded services, club's registered youth membership reaches 2,506 in the beginning of September.

2001 - The CHS Mustangs Swim Team (below) rents club's Martini A qu at ic C enter for competitive swim se ason.

2002 - Morning adult la p swim began on Sept . 1 and there are currently 330 adult members using the pool annually.

Fall 2014Club’s 2nd “Taste of Clifton”

Fundraiser held on Sept. 29 attracted

500 people and 38 vendors, raising over $20,000.

2017 - BGCC Youth of the Year winner, Carlos Polanco (second from right) was named “National Youth of the Year.”

2019 - A dance studio was installed in the Teen Center.

2019 - New wall mats, LED lights, and Scoreboard were installed in the gymnasium.

2020 - During the COVID shutdown period, BGCC was able to distribute over 20,000 pounds of food to our families.