The Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys was incorporated in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, on April 11, 1923. Founded by William Edwin Hall, who was serving as the first president of the Boys Clubs of America, Hall saw an important need to provide an alternate and safe option for youth in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Today, there are over 4000 clubs throughout the United States but the St. Marys’ Club was one of, if not the first, rural club in the nation. On December 16, 1923, Harry J. Brock, the Club’s first Director, registered James (General) Stauffer as its first member. The Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys flourished throughout the 20th century providing the small community of European settlers with a facility offering recreational activities, an environment to improve character development, and educational opportunities among future generations.
The Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys provides youth development services and programs to students enrolled in grades K-12. The Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys’ mission is to support all children and young adults, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible individuals. In order to best serve youth in the community, the club designs programs around six focus areas:
- Education
- Character and Leadership Development
- Health and Wellness
- Art Programs
- Sports & Recreation
- Career Development
