How do I register?

You can register in person at the Club, or you can register online through our online application portal. Separate applications are required for summer and school year.

Are there any membership requirements?

Membership is available for youth between the ages of 6 and 18. Membership is open to all youth regardless of gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or income.

What is the age range?

Our Clubs are open to kids between the ages of 6 and 18.

What is the cost?

Currently, the School Year program membership fee is $810.00 and the Summer program membership fee is $570.00.  The fee covers the entire school-year and/or summer, whether a member comes one day or every day and includes:

• Healthy snacks and meals,
• A wide variety of fun and engaging programs,
• Math, reading and science enrichment activities,
• Fun field trips,
• Highly trained professional staff and volunteers.

What are the Club hours?

Hours vary by location, but Clubs are generally open Monday through Friday. During the school year, Clubs are open after school until 6:30 pm and in the summer from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm.  Contact your local Clubhouse for the exact operating schedule.

Do the Clubs have summer programs?

Yes. The Summer program typically runs Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Contact your Club for more information.

Do you provide Financial Assistance?

Absolutely NO Child is ever turned away from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County because of our membership fees.  We are happy to work with every family to make sure their child(ren) are able to join us for the school year and/or summer regardless of their financial situation.  We have a variety of individualized options available to help families make sure their child can attend the Club.  These options include:

• Full or partial fee waivers,
• Payment plans,
• Payments by cash, check or credit card

Are there any attendance requirements?

Requirements can vary by location, however, we recommend that members attend the Club at least three times each week to provide consistency and maximize the positive impacts of programming. Please check with your Club Director to verify requirements.

Do memberships transfer between Clubs?

Generally, the Club location a member attends is based on their home school location.  Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.  If you have special circumstances, please contact your Club Director.

Do you provide meals/snacks?

During the School Year, Club members will have access to a healthy meal as part of the Montana Child and Adult Care Food Program.  In the summer, as part of the Montana Summer Food Service program and in conjunction with our community partners, Club members will receive a hearty breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

In general, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County works to be very diligent to accommodate food restrictions.  Please notify Club staff if Club member have any food or other allergies.

Do you provide transportation?

During the School Year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County does provide daily transportation from select schools to our Clubs.  This service is included as part of the school-year membership fee.  Currently, daily after school transportation is provided to students from

• Newman Elementary School,
• Orchard Elementary School,
• Ponderosa Elementary School,
• Bench Elementary School,
• Beartooth Elementary School,
• Alkali Creek Elementary School (primary students only),
• Eagle Cliff Elementary School,
• Riverside Middle School, and
• Senior High School.

During the Summer, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County provides transportation for field trips.  A field trip permission slip must be signed by a parent/guardian for each outing.

All Club members who utilize Club transportation must have a Transportation Agreement signed by a parent/guardian before the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County can provide transportation.

Are you open during school breaks or holidays?

Clubs observe the following minimum closures for staff training, Club maintenance, and/or staff holidays:

Two weeks between the end of summer and the beginning of the School Year.

One week during winter break.

Two Days in April.

All major US holidays.

Clubs may close for additional dates, as needed. Clubs will post all closures and notify families in advance.

What programs do you offer?

Each Club offers a variety of programs that fall into three key programmatic areas: Academic Success; Character and Leadership; and Healthy Lifestyles.

What should my kid bring with them?

Club members are encouraged to bring homework, sports clothing and equipment, and any other necessary items for programmatic participation.

Youth should not bring personal belongings of value and money into the Club. If it is a special circumstance, they can ask Club staff to lock up the item while they are at the Club and collect the item upon departure. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County is not responsible or liable for lost, misplaced, stolen, or missing items.

Does my child need any specific clothing at Club?

At Club we go outside everyday unless the temperature falls below 0 or above 100, or if it is raining/snowing.  This means children should come with appropriate attire for the many weather conditions we see in Montana.  The Clubs follow the general dress codes the schools have, the only addition is that we ask members do not wear flip flops or sandals that do not have an ankle strap.

During the summer every member will be given a Club t-shirt that needs to be worn on field trip days.  Additionally, some field trips may require specific attire, please review field trip permission slips to find out if anything special is needed.

What are the policies, procedures and practices that keep my child safe while in your care?

The safety of the children you entrust with us is our highest priority. We have a rigorous set of safety policies and procedures which provide multiple checks for potential issues and threats. Here are just a few of the highlights:

• Before we hire, we do mandatory background checks and drug testing on employees and volunteers. After initial onboarding, staff and volunteers submit background checks annually, and participate in random drug testing.
• Our employees and volunteers must complete mandatory training on child abuse prevention and reporting requirements.

• If there is an incident, our staff are required to report it, regardless of severity and if appropriate, we report the incident to the local authorities.
• Every year, our entire organization – including each Club – undergoes a safety assessment.
• Professional adults, trained in response protocols for all emergencies, check kids and visitors in and out at our secure access points.
• Staff and kids are trained and practiced in what to do during lockdown, lockout, evacuation, and shelter-in-place situations.
• As a trusted presence in Club neighborhoods, we are in close contact with community members and police so we can respond quickly in any situation.

What is your closure policy?

If an unexpected Club closure occurs (due to weather, facilities emergency, etc.), Clubs will post signs on the building doors and update the Club’s Facebook page. Clubs will notify parents/guardians via an automated email and text notification system. Please be sure that you notify Club staff of any change in emergency contact or cell phone information to ensure that you receive emergency notifications.

Can the Club administer medication to my child(ren)?

The Club can not administer any medications to children.  The Club can provide a safe place for your child to store their labelled medications if they need to self-administer during Club hours.  If your child will need to take medication while at the Club, please discuss this with your Club Director at registration.

Will my children be together at the Club?

The Club runs two separate programs – one for elementary-aged youth, and another for our middle and high school youth.  Within those programs there are times when members will participate in activities together, such as meals or outside play, and other times when members will go to structured activities by age/grade.  If you have concerns about your children, please discuss them with your Club Director.

What is your Short Message Service (SMS) Privacy Policy?

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County does not disclose any information to third parties for marketing or affiliate marketing purposes. Furthermore, we do not provide opt-in consent to third-party organizations.