Our journey began in 1968 as the Boys Club of the Playground Area, with a modest membership of 15. Over the years, we have evolved, faced challenges, and embraced change to better serve our community.

The years that followed saw us grow and expand our influence. In 2001, we opened a Smart Center in South Walton County, laying the groundwork for a fully operational Club by 2002. Renamed the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, we strived to better reflect our profound impact on children and families throughout the region.

In August 2015, the Montclair Club opened its doors, providing another avenue for us to positively influence the lives of youth in the community. Our dedication to their growth and well-being remained unwavering.

In 2022, the BGCEC experienced tremendous growth, registering almost 2,200 kids and extending our impact to over 2,100 other youth served. This milestone reaffirmed our commitment to creating a brighter future for the next generation.

In 1988, economic difficulties threatened our mission, but local businessmen stepped up to preserve and nurture the Club’s value. This commitment paved the way for progress, and in 1990, we proudly became the Boys & Girls Club of Okaloosa County, breaking down barriers and inclusively welcoming girls into our fold. We also broadened our focus to emphasize education, establishing Smart Centers in local middle schools to provide enhanced support to our members.

With a resolute commitment to our mission, we continued to make a difference. In 2010, we extended our reach by welcoming the existing Pensacola Club into our family. Subsequently, we took over the After School Program at Kenwood in November 2014, ensuring that even more young individuals could benefit from our programs.

Even during challenging times, we persisted in our efforts to serve. Despite the pandemic’s grip on the world, we bravely opened the Riverside Club in August 2020, providing much-needed support and hope to young individuals right in the midst of adversity.