Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County Opens 9th Unit

Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County Opens Their 9th Unit

Special to T&T Magazine

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County (BGCPolk) is proud to announce the grand opening of their 9th Polk County Unit. The new club will be housed at the Fort Meade Community Center located at 10 3rd St SW, Fort Meade, FL 33841. The grand opening was May 31, 2022.

Members of the community where invited to attend and learn about the impact BGCPolk will have by providing enriching programming for Polk County children, particularly those who need us the most, during the non-school hours.

The unit is scheduled to open on June 1st for the summer and will begin serving the children of historic Fort Meade. BGCPolk’s summer program will provide members with high-quality, high-yield academic programming aimed at combatting the summer slide. When students don’t practice academic skills over the summer, they don’t always retain what they’ve learned in school. Students from low-income families lose an average of 2 months in reading achievement over the summer. BGCPolk recognizes the importance of providing our members with the tools to stay sharp and be prepared for the 2022-23 school year, especially given the struggles students are still experiencing due to school closures and virtual learning during the last two years with COVID-19.

In addition to academic programming, BGCPolk provides members with sports, fitness and health programs, arts programs, resiliency skills and workforce readiness for teens. Finally, a vital component of the Boys & Girls Club program is the provision of breakfast, lunch and a snack each day during the summer program! BGCPolk is excited to be able to offer valuable, high-yield programs to enrich the lives of Fort Meade kids!

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County

Since 1939, Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County has provided children from the local community, between the ages of 6 and 18, with a safe place to learn and grow. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. BGCPolk fills the gap in the community between school and home by providing welcoming, positive environments in which children and teens participate in life-changing programs, build supportive relationships with peers and caring adults, and build positive youth development skills for a well-rounded life. BGCPolk is on a mission to expand services in Polk County by impacting 10,000 kids annually. Learn more at www.bgcpolk.org.