On October 30, 2003, doors opened for the Boys and Girls Club of Brookings, South Dakota.An open house was held at the club, which was organized by a group of twenty-four board members.

The activity starts at the Boys and Girls Club when the school day is over. Buses transport the youth to the club from their schools, but parents or those designated are responsible for taking them home.All youth from grades one through twelve are welcome to attend. On school days, the club closes at 9 p.m. On other days the hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The club is closed on holidays.

There are many planned activities—physical education, arts and crafts, games, and a technology educational center. The annual membership fee is $10 and presently there are 775 members. The fee is purposely low so that all youth are able to participate. On school days an average of 130 youth attend, while during the summer the figure is closer to 160. The group that is most heavily represented is third through fifth grades. During the school year, there are ten staff members, and in the summer there are fourteen or fifteen. All other help comes from volunteers.

The budget for the Club is $350,000, which is offset by grants and very welcome community support. First Presbyterian of Brookings gave 40 percent of its Pentecost Offering to support the Boys and Girls Club. It was greatly appreciated!

The Boys and Girls Club is also known as “The Positive Place for Kids.” We First Presbyterians of Brookings are proud to help support this “Positive Place.”

Submitted by member of the MIF committee:
Delores Koepsell
First Presbyterian Church
Brookings, South Dakota
(605) 692-2416
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