Boys and Girls Clubs adding locations

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio announced it will open eight new clubs across the region this summer, including sites in Euclid, Lorain and Elyria

The organization will also open its first Club in Huron County at New London Elementary School.

The expansion is the first phase of BGCNEO’s recently enacted strategic plan, which seeks to double the number of kids served by 2025, according to a news release. BGCNEO currently operates 40 Clubs in four Northeast Ohio counties and is one of the largest Boys & Girls Club organizations in the United States.

The new clubs will open at various dates during June.

Euclid’s club will be for those ages 6-18 and will be held at Euclid Middle School, 22555 Tracy Ave. Start date to be determined.

Lorain’s new club will be for kids who have completed kindergarten through seventh grade. It starts June 13 at Longfellow Middle School, 305 Louisiana Ave.

Elyria’s new club is for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. It starts June 27 at Ely Elementary School, 312 Gulf Road.

The Huron County club will be for kids who have completed kindergarten through seventh grade. It starts June 13 at the New London Elementary, 425 Park Ave. in New London.

Boys & Girls Clubs seek to provide safe, fun places for kids ages 6-18 to go after school and in the summer. Clubs focus on healthy lifestyles, academic success and character development.

“There has never been a greater need to prioritize the best interests of our youth,” CEO Jeff Scott said in the release. “This expansion will help more kids and more families in more places in our community. In order to start reversing the worst child poverty rates in the country, parents who are able to work must be able to have free care for their kids while they work to support a family.”

There is no charge to join a club, and activities include athletics, academic help, arts and music programming, leadership opportunities, field trips and breakfast and lunch each day.