Other Sponsorship Opportunities 
The Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area's after-school program ensures that, in those crucial after-school hours, participating children are in a safe place with professional caring adult staff and volunteers. Every day, children are able to channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits through our five core program areas: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts and Sports, Fitness & Recreation.
 
Unfortunately, too many children haven't been given that opportunity. Nationwide at least 8 million children are left unsupervised after school. For these children, after-school hours are the most dangerous, because this is when children are most likely to commit or become the victim of crime. For many others, the afternoon hours are simply a period of idle and wasted time, when opportunities to be mentored and academically challenged are squandered.
 
Below you will find additional sponsorship opportunities... this page will be changing too, as more opportunities become available and some become filled.  
 
Membership Scholarships
A contribution of $15 per year for a suggested three-year period will enable the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area to offer individual scholarships to boys and girls who are not able to cover their $15.00 annual membership dues.  If you would like to sponsor five youth for $75.00 or ten youth for $150.00 this is also available.  
  
Wilderness Adventure Camp
Our Club members become campers at Lake Trails Base Camp where they start their Canoe Adventure.  They also spend the time hiking, fishing, crafting, swimming and singing by the campfire.  This camp is offered to children in grades 6-12.  In 2009, BGCBA sent 10 members and 1 staff to Lake Trails.  
 
We have been able to send our members at a reduced rate due to the generosity of Lake Trails supporters.  If you are interested in this type of sponsorship, please contact Andrea Ohnstad, Resource Developement Director, for more information. 
 
Arts
A contribution of $1,000 would enable us to continue to expose members to the many different venues of the Arts – drama, visual arts, dance, language and art history.  The Club has an Art room that is open daily as well as a community room that serves as ideal space for exploring the arts.  Our Teen Center also hosts a stage for live music and drama.
 
Leadership Initiatives
A contribution of $1,000 per year will allow us to continue to make the Junior Volunteer Program possible. Junior Volunteers are interviewed and placed at one of the Boys & Girls Club's KIDSTOP sites. Duties include assisting with art, gym, social recreation, snack, light office work and many other interesting tasks. This program enables youth to have positive experiences working with other children and Boys & Girls Club staff.
 
Keystone & Torch Club
A contribution of $1,000 per year will allow us to continue to make the Keystone & Torch Club Programs possible. The Keystone Leadership program is for members ages 14-18. This program provides social events, service to the Club, leadership development and fundraising opportunities. The Torch Club is a similar program, serving members ages 9-13, providing age-appropriate leadership building programs.
 
National Youth of the Year
A contribution of $1,000 per year will allow us to continue to make the National Youth of the Year Program possible. Participating youth will write a speech telling their success story involving the Club, and will compete for the Youth of the Year title on local, state, regional and national levels. The Youth of the Year will also speak at various Boys & Girls Club events throughout the year.
 
 
For more information, please contact Leonore Potter, Executive Director at the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area at 218.444.4171.  Thank you!