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OUR HISTORY
The Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops began as the Boys Club of Kamloops in 1955 and was registered as a Society on March 29, 1955. The two individuals who were the driving force behind the development of this organization were Keith Pattinson, a young photographer for the Kamloops Sentinel Newspaper, and Harold Foulger, an RCMP officer. Within the first year, the Boys Club became a member of the national organization known as the Boys' Clubs of Canada.
1955
1955
The Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops began as the Boys Club of Kamloops in 1955 and was registered as a Society on March 29, 1955. The two individuals who were the driving force behind the development of this organization were Keith Pattinson, a young photographer for the Kamloops Sentinel Newspaper, and Harold Foulger, an RCMP officer. Within the first year, the Boys Club became a member of the national organization known as the Boys' Clubs of Canada.
1968
By 1968 the Club had grown to 368 members involved in an increasing number of activities: rock work, judo, a fish and game club, and for a while, a band sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. The Club programs for boys were offered out of the Kamloops Athletic Association (KAA) building which was located on Victoria Street where the Thompson Hotel and Conference Centre now stands. A Mother's Auxiliary was formed and provided much-needed support to the Boys' Club fundraising activities. One of the fundraisers was sponsoring wrestling matches at the KAA hall. Club members played sports, raced model cars, and spent summers camping.
1955
In 1971 the City sold the property for commercial development. The funds from the sale of the building were set aside for the development of a new Youth Centre. As this process was underway, the Club ran programs at the Christian Education Centre on St. Paul Street where it operated for another two years. But the Club needed more room so school gymnasiums were the sites for Club programs in 1973. With the start of this satellite programming, girls began to participate in the Club's many activities.
1971 - 1973
In 1971 the City sold the property for commercial development. The funds from the sale of the building were set aside for the development of a new Youth Centre. As this process was underway, the Club ran programs at the Christian Education Centre on St. Paul Street where it operated for another two years. But the Club needed more room, so school gymnasiums were the sites for Club programs in 1973. With the start of this satellite programming, girls began to participate in the Club's many activities.
1971 + 1973
1975
After surveys and opinion polls, construction of a new youth centre was started on McArthur Island in 1974. The new home of the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops was officially opened on February 2, 1975. On November 17, 1975, the name of the Club was changed to the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops.
STRONG CLUB.
STRONG VOICE.
STRONG MEMBERS.
After surveys and opinion polls, construction of a new youth centre was started on McArthur Island in 1974. The new home of the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops was officially opened on February 2, 1975. On November 17, 1975, the name of the Club was changed to the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops.
1975
1981
With the Club settled in its new home, members enjoyed the new facilities and membership grew. As the Club continued to look at the needs of children and youth in the community, it was apparent that after school care was lacking for the children of working families.
The Club opened its first school aged childcare program at the McArthur Island Youth Centre in 1981.
1981
2014
Since then, many additional after school satellite locations opened up around the city and BGCK broadened its services and programs with the addition of a young mother's education program called First Steps. In 2014, Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops was moved to John Tod Elementary school. Beautiful renovations were undertaken to create the John Tod Centre and bring vibrancy back to a forgotten neighbourhood. The building was shared with the Kamloops Community YMCA-YWCA.
With the Club settled in its new home, members enjoyed the new facilities and membership grew. As the Club continued to look at the needs of children and youth in the community, it was apparent that after school care was lacking for the children of working families.
The Club opened its first school age childcare program at the McArthur Island Youth Centre in 1981.
1981
2016
Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops offers 6 low-cost and 12 no-cost programs and services to meet a wide variety of needs in the community. In 2016, 2,740 people were supported with 44,222 visits to the Club and 26,132 meals and 44,410 snacks served.
2021
Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops becomes BGC Kamloops, a more modern name that reflects all are welcome at the Club.