Boys & Girls Club of Owen County to partner with S-OCS

The Boys & Girls Club is proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with the Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation (S-OCS) to expand access to affordable, high-quality youth programming for families across Owen County.

Beginning in August, the Club will partner with S-OCS to provide accessible after-school programming that supports working families while creating safe, engaging environments for young people to learn and grow. As part of this expansion, the Club will now serve as the official afternoon latchkey provider for students at McCormick’s Creek Elementary School (MCES) and Spencer Elementary School (SES). Existing Boys & Girls Club Programs will continue to operate in Gosport Elementary School (GES) and Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) with no changes, ensuring continuity for families already engaged in those communities.

All after-school programs provided by the Boys & Girls Club in the schools will be open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Boys & Girls Club membership fees will be kept at just $20 per year for full after-school programming, which includes academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership-focused offerings. A healthy snack is also provided for each child every day.

Middle and high school youth in Owen County will still have access to after-school programming offered by the Boys & Girls Club. They will be transported to SES for Tween and Teen programming each day.

The Club’s lease for its current space on Shepard Patrick Road will end July 31, 2026, and will not be renewed.

“We are tremendously thankful for our original Club home in Owen County. It has served us well. We believe this next iteration of the Owen County Boys & Girls Club, operating in the schools, will help families better access the affordable, high-quality programs we provide,” said Leslie Abshier, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club.

S-OCS and the Club are working together to ensure that break-day and summer programming can still be offered through this school-based Club model. This is a one-year commitment by both entities, with plans to evaluate and renew the partnership until the Club finds a more permanent home in town.

“This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in ensuring that all youth in this community have access to safe, supportive and enriching afterschool experiences for just $20 per child per year,” Abshier said. “By working alongside our local schools, we are able to meet families where they are and remove more barriers to participation.”

Additional details about program schedules, enrollment and offerings will be released soon. Families are encouraged to visit bgcowen.org or follow us on Facebook to stay informed and sign up for updates from the Club.

Andy Cline, Superintendent of Schools, emphasized the importance of this collaboration by saying, “Working in collaboration with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club provides our families an opportunity to have close-to-home resources afforded to them. This is a chance for working parents, guardians and the school system to provide a reasonable and sustainable means to support our students throughout the afternoons.”

About the Boys & Girls Club of Owen County

As part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, the Owen County Club is an organization dedicated to empowering all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as caring, productive and responsible citizens. The organization currently operates three units serving youth in Monroe County at Lincoln Street, Ferguson Crestmont and Ellettsville; and, three units serving youth in Owen County at LaCampagne, GES and PES. Offering low annual rates, the Club is a place where all local youth can safely learn, grow and become the adults of tomorrow. Focusing on academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and leadership, and the arts, programming at the Club is enriching and varied, led by professional staff and volunteers. To learn more about programs and events at the Owen County Boys & Girls Club, or to make a donation, or to register a member, visit bgcowen.org, call 812-250-6500, or follow the Owen County Club on Facebook and Instagram.