About Us

Mission

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh’s mission is to improve the lives of children and families.

Vision

Our vision is to be a generation-changing leading provider of programs emphasizing youth development services and family outreach support to meet the needs of young people ages 6 to 18 years old and their families, especially those who need us most.

2023-2024 Sustainability Plan

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History

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh was founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1968, and the doors officially opened in 1970. Since then, the Club has proved to be an essential organization in the Oshkosh community.

Timeline of the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh

1970 The Boys Club of Oshkosh was founded, and the headquarters officially opened at Main Street and Merritt Avenue.

1974 The Rockwell Foundation purchased the property at 502 N. Main and donated it to the Boys Club of Oshkosh. The Club became owners of its headquarters, which now is the Wagner Opera House.

1981 The Radford family donated 45 acres of land near New London, which has been developed into our summer day camp (Camp Radford) and environmental education area.

1981 The Boys Club of Oshkosh Alumni Association was formed. It now raises about $10,000 annually for the Club and Camp Radford. Members also log many hours of volunteer service.

1984 A permanent endowment fund was established with $200,000.

1988 The Boys Club of Oshkosh began after-school programs in local elementary schools.

1989 Girls were officially welcomed in common membership, and the Club was renamed the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, Inc.

1992 The “Campaign for Kids” raised $1.7 million dollars to construct a new facility.

1993 The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh moved to our new and current facility at Parkway Avenue and Broad Street.

1994 A new facility was constructed to house Head Start. Club members use the facility on non-school days, and 160 children in Head Start use the Club building on school days.

1997 Adjacent property was purchased and converted to a Teen Center and administrative offices.

2007 The “Opening the Doors” campaign raised $2 million dollars for the new Teen Center, $100,000 for the baseball field, and $2.2 million dollars in pledges and cash for the endowment.

2007 The new Teen Center, “The CLUB,” and administrative offices opened in April.

2016 The Club partnered with Catalpa Health to provide on-site mental health services to Club members and families.

2016-2017 Camp Radford received an extensive renovation, including the building of a new Arts & Crafts building and a new garage. Improvements were also made to the main cabin, including installing a new roof and windows, building an enclosed porch, fixing the foundation and remodeling the interior (new bunk beds, new appliances, etc.).

2018 The Club underwent an interior remodel that included building safer more secure entrances, the addition of four new offices, and making updates to many of our program areas in the CLUB Teen Center and the Radford Center.

2020 The Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary!! Names Tracy Ogden as CEO.

2021 The Club holds 50th celebration Block Party after Covid-19 shut-down and announces the expansion of its facilities and new community center.

2022 The Club breaks ground on its building expansion and new community center.

2023 The Club completes the first phase of its building expansion, including the complete renovation of all three floors of J. Wilcox Head Start with a new circle drive and entrance, additional parking and a new playground. The Club completes the Bergstrom Automotive Learning Center, an expansion of the Radford Center (elementary ages) classrooms, and its new Community First Credit Union Multi-Purpose Field.