Westonka parents seeking enriching after-school activities for their children now have an exciting new free option with the launch of a Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities site at Voyageur Environmental Center (VEC) in Mound.
“BGCTC has owned and operated the Voyageur property for decades conducting mostly residential and overnight camping experiences for youth K-12,” said Shannon Mattson-Campbell, vice president of development and communications. “In recent years we’ve also started conducting programming year-round on the property and now, as of January 2024, we officially launched a formal Boys & Girls Club site on the property to provide holistic academic youth programming after school for the youth and families of Mound and surrounding cities.”
While affiliated with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, BGCTC operates independently and serves approximately 4,000 youth each year, striving for a North Star goal of all members being on track for a successful future beyond high school graduation.
In addition to the new club site in Mound, BGCTC operates 11 other clubs across the Twin Cities— five in Minneapolis, three in St. Paul, two in Richfield, and one in Elk River. An additional site in North Minneapolis at the new V3 Sports Center is slated to open in April.
“Our programming focuses on three key areas—academic success, health and wellness, and life and workforce—tailored to the specific needs of each community we serve,” Mattson-Campbell said.
Nestled on approximately 100 acres on the shores of Little Long Lake, the Voyageur property boasts a large lodge, eight heated and cooled cabins with private bathrooms accommodating up to 14 people each, as well as amenities such as a swimming area with a dock, archery range, volleyball court, greenhouse, garden, play fields, low ropes course, and various natural spaces.
According to Jessica Daleske, VEC branch director, BGCTC previously collaborated with Westonka Community Education to host a one-week day camp each summer at VEC, marking the extent of their engagement with the community until now.
“Though we’ve been serving BGCTC and Mound for a long time, VEC has remained a hidden gem,” said Daleske.
BGCTC has worked closely with Westonka Community Education to connect with the school district and different groups in the community as the new club gets up and running. Initially providing co-ed after-school programming for 5th-12th graders, VEC aims to expand in the future to serve K-12 students and address the need for programming on school release days.
“Our discussions with Westonka teachers revealed a gap in after-school support for middle and high school students, which we’re poised to fill,” Daleske said. “We’re really focused on environmental education, outdoor recreation and social and emotional learning.”
A significant advantage of the new club is its free after-school programming, made possible through donations from individuals, private donors, corporations, and government grants supporting BGCTC.
Additionally, bus service from Westonka schools is provided, and students receive both a snack upon arrival and an evening meal. Activities range from hiking to skill-building sessions like cooking, alongside volunteer opportunities and occasional field trips. Kids also have access to homework support if needed.
Youth interested in joining the club need only visit with a parent or guardian to sign a membership form and indicate their attendance frequency to VEC staff.
“We encourage a commitment of at least three days a week because that’s where relationships begin to build and success happens,” said Mattson-Campbell.
Registered club members also gain eligibility for free attendance at summer camps.
While VEC is focused on serving Mound and the surrounding communities with the new club site, it will also continue to serve youth across all of BGCTC’s clubs, facilitating diverse interactions among club members from various backgrounds and cities.
“Our primary goal is for kids to have fun while engaging in activities they love and maximize their learning potential,” Daleske said.
Later this year, VEC plans to host a grand re-opening of the club. It also plans to participate in community events like Spirit of the Lakes.
For more information, visit BGCTC’s website at https://boysandgirls.org/programs/voyageur/ .
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