Imagine a place where who you are, where you’re from, or the circumstances that surround you don’t determine your access to experiences or opportunities. This has always been the mission and the purpose of the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown.

“An era in my life that brought about the largest increase in my horse training knowledge was the six years I spent directing the Horse-Care Program in Watertown, South Dakota which was the origin of the Watertown Boy’s Club. 

The Club would meet weekly through-out the school year and, in May, we would buy or borrow from sixty to one hundred unbroken, green broke, or spoiled horses. Three weeks later, after intense training, we would go on our first of four long trail rides…In August, the horses were returned to the owners or sold by auction as ‘kid broke’ horses. 

The first ride taken during those six years was from Watertown, SD to Wessington, SD for a Stan Gunn celebration and then back over a 12-day period. We had a record of 207 buck-offs the first day on the trail.”

Who would have thought that installing new lights in an old building would impact the lives of thousands of kids and their families? Courtney has been active in many different ways. He served as the Board of Directors President in 1979 and did a lot of work with the tri-state Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He won the Man & Youth Award in 1992. He has also volunteered countless hours, helping with fundraising and community events. 

When we recently sat down with Courtney to talk about different historical events, he remembered when the Club struggled financially. He is now amazed at the successes and the progress the Club has made. He attributes all of this to the very generous support of the Watertown Community. From its very early days to now, the Club is fortunate to have the generosity of so many in the community. Courtney also remised that the Club has been lucky enough to have resourceful staff and volunteers who made things happen when things were tight for the organization. 

Courtney Livingston is a true advocate for youth, and we are so proud to call him a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown Family.

This is an excellent example of the resourcefulness of our organization. The fabric has been worn and torn a few times, but with a little TLC, the table gets up and running in no time! 

Of course, Bumper Pool has always been in our Games Room. The Games Room is a perfect place where kids learn about good sportsmanship, make new friends and develop lasting memories.

Executive Director of the Watertown Area Community Foundation, Jan DeBerg, says, “The Foundation is all about investing in the vitality and future of the greater Watertown area. Investing in our youth and the Boys & Girls Club is one of the best ways to do that. Donors have always been the ones who make it happen. I know the Foundation, as well as the Club, are so grateful for our generous and caring community.”

Dr. Brist has served on our Board of Directors since 2011. He has been instrumental in strengthening and continuing our working relationship with the Watertown School District. He can foster a spirit of excellence and create a collaborative environment to move the vision forward. He is an exemplary leader who approaches educational leadership with a commitment to innovation. We are so proud to have his a part of our Boys & Girls Club family. 

1. a safe, positive environment
2. access to fun and a sense of belonging
3. access to supportive relationships
4. meaningful opportunities and expectations
5. formal and informal recognition

The Five Key Elements are so important because we have repeatedly seen that members who have a great Club Experience also do better in school, live healthier lives, and are stronger leaders. They are also way more likely to keep coming to the Club! While the Boys & Girls Club has been all fun and games for 50 years, it means so much more than that to the staff, families, and youth members who have walked through our blue doors.

Current radio-based forms of marketing:

1. All 9 stations participate in a full-day radio-a-thon blitz to assist our Club in selling 1000 truck raffle tickets each year.  Radio announcers lead commentary regarding the raffle along with guests including staff, Board Members, sponsors, and youth to share the community impact of the Club.
2. Weekly and monthly standing segments on two “talk-radio” programs in which Club staff or Board Members are interviewed regarding events or campaigns.
3. Participation in our Career Expo week and setting up a mock newscast for youth.
4. BGC News Beat – a weekly segment narrated by Club kids that features a specific program or service of the Club.
5. The Club is frequently highlighted on the “good news” segments at the conclusion of the traditional news format broadcasts.
6. Public Service Announcements regarding Club events or around a targeted message
7. The affiliates promote and sponsor our special events including the Truck Raffle and our Blue Door Derby camel races.
8. Live remotes conducted at our special events, press conferences, etc.
9. Sponsor recognition to entities who we partner with to provide our youth development programs.
10. Community event partnerships allow the Boys & Girls Club to share our mission with the general public.

As we have been talking with many individuals involved in the Club’s history, we learned that the Boys & Girls Club was very close to building a facility downtown near the old post office; however, plans quickly changed when Club leadership was approached by City officials with a new idea.

Those leaders, now nearly 40 years ago, had a brighter future in mind. This building construction is the cornerstone for the many years that have followed. Without this visionary thinking in 1984, we would not have our beautiful facility today and a beautiful wellness center in our community too! 

This construction did not yet include the gym, which comes later!

At the Boys & Girls Club, we are proud to provide tobacco and vape prevention education for our youth members. A dedicated staff member implements a program designed to educate youth on the dangers of vape and e-cigarettes called Catch My Breath curriculum. Over 100 youth in grades 3 -12 are impacted via this program annually. 

In addition to offering the curriculum, the program team at the Boys & Girls Club educates over 300 students on the dangers of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping products through special events annually as well like Take Down Tobacco and Great American Smoke Out. 

He recalls the meetings in the Blue Room and gathering together there to talk about what kids needed in the community. Jeff attributes his success to the partnerships with so many individuals and business leaders in Watertown. He remembers the community “just wanted to take care of kids.”

For 13 years, Jeff brought inspiration, fun, and a sense of belonging to the youth, staff, and Board Members. He was known to be quite the pool and ping pong player, but also cooked, cleaned, mentored, and ignited the flame for his passion for youth development services, which continues to burn today.

After his career in Watertown, Jeff served in many leadership capacities for the Boys & Girls Club of America. He led other youth trailblazers as a Vice President, focusing on field services, training, and professional development. He is the Director of Organizational Development for the Major Metro Clubs across the Country. Jeff will retire in June from Boys & Girls Clubs of America with over 40 years of youth development service.

Jeff has built his life and legacy around the Boys & Girls Club movement, not only in Watertown but across the whole country. In fact, the 5000th Boys & Girls Club will be opening soon in Elgin, IL, where Jeff and his wife Nadine have lived for many years. You can listen to Jeff’s leadership experience in a 2018 BGCA Masters and Mentors feature.

Jeff is a true advocate for the mission of the Boys & Girls Club and has shared smiles with 1000’s of kids and youth champions on his path.

To donate in honor of Jeff’s historical impact and retirement, please go to  https://bgcofwatertown.com/donate-now/

Youth offenders are judged by a jury of their peers who give the defendant a chance to serve as a contributing and constructive member of their community.  The underlying philosophy of a Teen Court program is that youth serving in these roles will have positive peer pressure on the offenders.  The offenders will be more receptive to consequences handed down from their peers than to those given by adults in a traditional court setting.

Depending on the nature and severity of the crime, each defendant will receive a legal and behind disposition. Teen Court defendants may be required to perform community service, write essays or apology letters, attend educational programs and/or be referred to counseling or mental health resources.

The Teen Court program engages youth from 10 – 18 years old.  Trained teenage volunteers and returning defendants make up the Teen Court team. Local attorneys volunteer their time as judges.

For more information, contact Louis Canfield, Director of Diversion at canfieldl@bgcofwatertown.com

Trustees also support the organization financially and actively assist with resource development efforts of the organization. We are thankful for their vision, leadership, and guidance they have contributed to the success of our organization over the last 50 years!

We want to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, and event attendees we’ve had over the years. You are the ones who truly make the magic happen. The Camel Races has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars since its inception to give youth in our community the opportunity to grow, learn, and play at the Boys & Girls Club!

You can check the Camel Races this Friday, April 28th. Call the Club to reserve your spot! 605-886-6666. Individual and reserved tables remain! Individual Tickets are $25. 

The “Endowment Run for the Future” was held in 2005 and engaged numerous runners and walkers, raising funds to ensure that our children can live successful lives in a safe, positive, and caring environment forever.  The Heritage Club Planned Giving Society was introduced in 2006 to allow donors to give back in their personal estate plans. 

The “Opening Doors Capital Campaign” executed in 2016 also raised dollars for the Endowment Fund.  All funds raised have remained local, and the Watertown Community Foundation professionally manages the account.