What are the opening hours?

Monday 7:30am - 6pm Tuesday 7:30am - 6pm Wednesday 7:30am - 6pm Thursday 7:30am - 6pm Friday 7:30am - 6pm

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

Name: Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Address: Sarasota, FL, US
Telephone: +19413663911
Price range: $
Rating: 0

Home
United States
Sarasota, FL
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

Enabling youth to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

Since 1970, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties have played an integral role in the Sarasota County community, providing daily programs and services to thousands of young people. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible c

itizens. The vision is to provide a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.

01/28/2025

Last week, Club teens from the Superintendent's Advisory Council had the opportunity to report on their findings from the Annual Forum earlier this month. Here’s what’s next:
✅ SSAC members will continue to meet monthly at BGCSDC to specify feasible goals and best implementation practices for each school
✅ Dr. Green invited a council member (CJ C.) to attend her meeting with school principals on Thursday, January 30, to share more information on the issues and solutions outlined in the student wellness section.
✅ Superintendent Connor also requested SSAC member, Aleksander M. draft a proposal to present to a community foundation to secure resources and support in creating an emergency fund for schools.

Shout out to for sharing their story! https://sarasotaheraldtribune-fl.newsmemory.com/?publink=13898804c_134f832

We’re so proud of these bold student leaders driving positive change in our community! 💙👏

01/23/2025

🍴 Did you know BGCSDC has a Culinary Program that is cooking up future success for youth? 🍴

Club teens recently enjoyed an unforgettable, behind-the-scenes experience at Chaz51 Steakhouse, where they got a firsthand look at the culinary world in action!

✨ Interactive Learning: They toured the kitchen and dining rooms, discovering the magic that makes a local treasure.
🍕 Hands-On Fun: Rolling flatbreads became the ultimate teamwork lesson—delicious and educational!
💡 Inspiring Insights: The Chaz51 team shared valuable advice on hard work, humility, and the dedication it takes to thrive in the hospitality industry.
🎁 A Sweet Surprise: Each teen received a gift card, making this visit even more memorable!

A special thank you to for your generosity, mentorship, and encouragement. Your support is inspiring the next generation of culinary aficionados ! 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

❓Are you a restaurant owner looking to help invest in youth success? Drop a comment and let us know.
➡️ Learn more about the culinary program at https://ow.ly/ie9250UL7qX

Program

01/22/2025

☀️ GREAT SUMMERS START HERE! 🌟

Looking for an unforgettable summer experience for youth ages 6 to 18? We've got you covered! 🎉

📍 Locations in Sarasota, Venice, North Port, and Arcadia
📅 June 2 - August 1 (Monday to Friday)
⏰ 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

With engaging activities and a supportive environment, our summer programs provide the perfect balance of fun and growth for an unforgettable summer.

📢 Registration is NOW OPEN!

👉 Don’t wait—secure your spot today: https://ow.ly/mjPP50UL5Sh
📞 Questions? Call us at 941.366.3911

01/20/2025

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary leader who fought for equality, justice, and unity. ☮️

🗣️ “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future. 🌟

01/17/2025

🎉 BGCSDC is kicking off 2025 with a dynamic mix of engaging activities that inspire members to grow, connect, and achieve:

📚 Sharpening math skills with a Math Fact Dominoes Challenge
🎨 Expressing creativity through art by crafting acrostic poems and winter-themed crafts
🤝 Fostering teamwork with relay races and interactive games to kick off Run Club Month
🔬 Innovating through STEM with LEGO® and DUPLO® creations, Stonehenge replicas, and a STEAM-powered project that made butterflies 🦋“fly”

Club members also took time to reflect on their winter break and set inspiring goals for the year ahead. Here’s to an amazing 2025! 💙

#2025

01/16/2025

🎉 This National Mentoring Month, we’re super excited to share "Peas in a Pod"—a podcast made by our awesome Club teens! With the guidance of mentors, they’ve developed a comfortable space for open conversation and creative expression. 🎧

📻Tune in to see how mentorship is shaping the leaders of tomorrow! https://ow.ly/szii50UHNHH

01/07/2025

Club teens recently co-hosted the 2024 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Annual Forum 📚, bringing together over 75 teens from seven local high schools for meaningful discussions with Sarasota County School District officials on shaping the future of education.

Sarah L., a sophomore at Booker High School, reflected on the experience: “Initially, as a Superintendent's Student Advisory Council member, I anticipated needing to coax discussions out of my peers. To my surprise, I found myself among equally passionate and driven people who care deeply about our schools. This shared enthusiasm inspires me to keep working towards change.”

🗞READ more on our blog ➡ https://bgcsdc.org/general/boys-girls-clubs-of-sarasota-and-desoto-counties-hosts-the-2024-superintendents-student-advisory-council-annual-forum.html

12/31/2024

As we turn the page to 2025, the future feels brighter than ever. To our valued community partners and supporters: thank you for amplifying the voices of Club members and encouraging them to dream big.

Together, we will continue to empower dreams ✨ and ensure those incredible journeys continue to unfold in 2025 and beyond. Here’s to another year of transformation and opportunity! 💙

12/22/2024

📌Friendly Reminder

All 6 Clubs and 5 School Sites are CLOSED for winter break. ❄️

We look forward to welcoming our Club members back on Monday, January 6. 💙

Wishing you all a safe and fun winter break and a very happy holiday season.🎄❄️☃️

12/21/2024

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing friends The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for hosting a truly magical Breakfast with Santa for Club members! 🎅✨ From a savory buffet to festive activities like cookie decorating, ornament making, balloon art, and more, every moment was filled with holiday magic ✨ and cheer. 🎄💙

12/19/2024

The festive ✨spirit continued in South County at the Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club where members from Venice and North Port came together for a lively holiday celebration. Smiles lit up the room as members decorated cookies, penned heartfelt letters to Santa, and enjoyed an array of festive games. The evening was capped off with a turkey dinner and visits with Santa 🎅 himself. 🎄✨

12/12/2024

Holiday cheer is in the air at BGCSDC! 🎄❤️ The festivities kicked off last week at the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in Arcadia, bringing together over 100 Club members, staff, and volunteers for a festive evening.

Santa’s 🎅visit and a toy room filled with special surprises had everyone smiling, while festive activities like cookie decorating, letters 📭 to Santa, and inflatable slides kept the fun going.

The holiday magic is just getting started! ✨ Follow along as we host celebrations in Venice (South County) and Sarasota (North County) over the next two weeks.

12/04/2024

✨Great Futures Start Here✨

NOW accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Great Futures Academy School-Year Program.

🗓 Starting: Today
🏫 Available for Club locations, school sites, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers across Sarasota & DeSoto Counties
🔑 Enroll today to unlock access award-winning educational, recreational, and developmental programs that enable youth to succeed in and out of school

Learn more ➡ https://bgcsdc.org/boys-girls-clubs-school-year-program

12/03/2024

Today is , and BGCSDC is thrilled to take part in this global 🌎celebration of generosity! Join us as we pause, reflect, and embrace the spirit of giving amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Your donation today, in any amount, will help to ensure all youth, especially those who need us most, are empowered to reach their full potential through a slate of award-winning academic and leadership programs designed to ensure success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors.

Together 🫶 we can build for youth across Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

🎁Give the gift of great futures this holiday season:
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/boys-and-girls-clubs-of-sarasota-and-desoto-counties/give-the-gift-of-great-futures

11/29/2024

We hope your Thanksgiving was filled with family, fun, and gratitude! 🧡 Club members had an amazing time celebrating with festive activities and showing off their best turkey impressions! 🦃 From gobbles to giggles, they brought the Thanksgiving spirit to life.

📷Check out these adorable moments! 🍂🦃❤️

11/27/2024

✨ Over 350 guests, a stunning event design, and unforgettable moments of inspiration—an incredible evening to remember! ✨

Last Saturday’s record-setting, SOLD-OUT Champions for Children Gala was a spectacular celebration of community, honoring Caldwell Trust Company for over three decades of transformational commitment to helping local youth achieve their full potential.

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation, and to Nikki Logan-Curran

And, of course, we couldn’t have done it without all of our incredible sponsors and vendor partners! Metz Culinary & Catering Sarasota Palm Printing and Renee Phinney, The Scout Guide, Sights and Sounds av, inc, Captivation Agency, Harry Sayer, Sarasota Scene Magazine, Hello Gorgeous Photobooth, Weberscenic productions, and Soul Sensations

📰 Read our recap: https://bgcsdc.org/?p=38742&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=38743

🎥 See Caldwell Trust Company’s impact https://youtu.be/UzZSdGyOe1A

📷 Stay tuned for more photos coming soon!

11/19/2024

What a wonderful day of giving and learning! 💖

The 7th Annual Bucket Fillers Reading Day, in partnership with EEmbracing Our Differences brought together BGCSDC staff, volunteers, and 10,000 students from 537 classrooms across 70 elementary schools in Manatee and Sarasota Counties to celebrate the importance of kindness.

Using the concept of an invisible bucket to encourage positive behavior, the Bucket Fillers book series teaches children how to "fill buckets" through acts of kindness, love, and appreciation for others. Embracing Our Differences provides books to each participating student and classroom and each child receives their own book 📚 to read at home with their family.

11/15/2024

Clubs have been buzzing with excitement this week, celebrating Family Literacy Month through engaging 📚 reading comprehension activities and a fun-filled book scavenger hunt. 🔍 Members embraced teamwork and stayed active with energetic games like "crab 🦀 soccer," freeze tag, statue relays, and hula hoop challenges.

STEM activities sparked creativity and critical thinking as members designed turkey 🦃 traps, crafted maps, and experimented with ice melting. Meanwhile, their artistic talents shone during Thanksgiving-themed art projects, vibrant watercolor creations, and journaling sessions 📓that encouraged self-reflection and personal expression.

A ❤️heartfelt thank-you to Safe Children Coalition and State College of Florida (SCF) Occupational Therapy students for enhancing the week with engaging activities and meaningful discussions about situational awareness and managing emotions.

Address

Sarasota, FL

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 6pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 6pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 6pm
Thursday	7:30am - 6pm
Friday	7:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+19413663911

Website

http://bgcsdc.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties:

Videos

Holiday cheer is in the air at BGCSDC! 🎄❤️ The festivities kicked off last week at the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in Arcadia, bringing together over 100 Club members, staff, and volunteers for a festive evening. Santa’s 🎅visit and a toy room filled with special surprises had everyone smiling, while festive activities like cookie decorating, letters 📭 to Santa, and inflatable slides kept the fun going. The holiday magic is just getting started! ✨ Follow along as we host celebrations in Venice (South County) and Sarasota (North County) over the next two weeks. #bgcsdc #GreatFutures #tistheseason #merry #joy #wonder

Clubs were alive with spooky 👻 fun this Halloween! 🎃 From creative costumes to haunted crafts, Club members got into the Halloween spirit with games, treats, and eerie activities! Check out some of our favorite moments! #bgcsdc #halloween2024 #fun #crafts #games #trickortreat

The Back-to-School season at BGCSDC has been filled with opportunities for growth, discovery, and creativity. From academic challenges to wellness activities, Club members have been actively engaged in programs designed to spark curiosity and build essential life skills, setting them on the path to success. 📚 Academically, members explored nouns, learned about Madagascar through weaving, and took on STEM challenges by building paper bridges and "index card towers of knowledge. ❤️ They embraced generosity through activities focused on helpfulness, fostering kindness and community. ⚽They played high-energy games like "Cone Race" and a Tic-Tac-Toe relay, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and strategy. 🎨 In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, members created vibrant "Mexican Folk Art Mirrors," learned Spanish colors, researched countries, crafted art inspired by Frida Kahlo and created their own versions of a Mexican sun, symbolizing the strength and power in Mexican folk art. #bgcsdc #backtoschool2024 #HispanicHeritageMonth #STEM #teamwork #generosity #wellness

Wow, can you believe it? Our summer session is wrapping up! 🌞✨ It’s been an amazing journey full of discovery, adventure, and friendship. From thrilling field trips to the Kennedy Space Center to engaging STEM activities and creative Arts and Sports, this summer was packed with new experiences and lasting memories. As we close this chapter, let’s keep the momentum going and carry that positive energy into the new school year ahead. 🚀📚 A huge thank you to everyone who made this summer unforgettable for our Club kids. Your enthusiasm and spirit truly made it special!

Thank you to the Venice Police Department and former Club member, Colin, for bringing his team to our Robert and Joan Lee Club yesterday! They discussed some very important safety topics and even brought along K9, Palmer! #bgcsdc #clubalumni 🚔💙

We appreciate Sarasota County Schools for recognizing our programs and opportunities. We are grateful to have a strong partnership with our schools which leads to academic success for our members!📓 #BGCWeek

STEM Specialist Day in the Life

Take a look into a day in the life of our incredible STEM Specialist and Operations Intern, Nathan! We are so grateful for the opportunities he provides for our Club members!🧪

Pass the BGC Pin!

For Level 2 of #BGCWeek , we are passing the pin to some legends and alumni who continue to make an impact on the community!💙

🎉Tomorrow is THE DAY!🎉 For 24 hours starting at 12 p.m. EST TOMORROW, your donation will matched 1:1 up to $100, DOUBLING your impact thanks to the generosity of Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation ⏰Make your gift as soon as possible once the challenge begins and help us be one of the first 50 non-profit organizations to reach 50 donations for additional financial support. 📣Help us spread the word! Share this opportunity with your friends, family, and colleagues to amplify the impact of your generosity and inspire others to join the cause. Donate below and BE THE ONE to empower Great Futures! https://tinyurl.com/uubpb45r #GivingChallenge2024 #BeTheOne #empowergreatfutures #bgcsdc #communityfoundationsarasota #pattersonfoundation

Ross BGCA

🎉Exciting news! This year, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Ross Dress for Less in-store fundraiser! Join Ross Dress for Less and support #GreatFutures for Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties youth. Through March 5th, donate at the register and empower Club members with homework assistance and access to resources to achieve academic success! 📚 📌Local locations can be found at: 👉8473 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota, Florida, FL 34201 👉6569 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 👉18139 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287 #bgcsdc #BGCAxRossStores #GreatFutures

Shortcuts

Our Story

The primary goal of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County is to provide a safe, structured, and supervised environment where children between the ages of 6 and 18 years old can learn, play and grow into their full potential after school and during the summer. During the course of one year, our organization will touch the lives of more than 5,100 youth, exposing them to new opportunities to help them excel in school, become leaders, live healthy lifestyles and create plans for success after high school graduation. We operate five Clubs in Sarasota County including the Lee Wetherington Club on Fruitville Road in Sarasota; the Roy McBean Club on 21st Street in the Newtown; the Robert and Joan Lee Club on Gulfcoast Boulevard in Venice; the Gene Matthews Club on South Biscayne Drive in North Port; and the Newtown Estates Park Boys & Girls Club on Newtown Boulevard in Newtown, as well as, the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in DeSoto County, which is located on School Ave in Arcadia.

We offer a wide variety of educational, developmental recreational opportunities for children, as well as, leadership, service, vocational and entrepreneurial training for teens. Our slate of programs focus on five core disciplines including Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, the Arts, and Sports, Fitness, and Recreation. Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County welcomes all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances. For prices of Club membership, please contact the Club in which you are interested in: Lee Wetherington Club (Sarasota): 941-366-3911 Roy McBean Club (Newtown): 941-953-9549 Newtown Estates Park Club (Newtown): 941-358-2878 Robert and Joan Lee Club (Venice): 941-485-7050 Gene Matthews Club (North Port): 941-423-4405 Louis and Gloria Flanzer Club (Arcadia): 941-366-3911

For more information, visit www.bgcsarasota.com.