About Our Club
The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley is a safe space to learn and grow after the school day ends – all while having fun. We see the Club as a welcoming place for kids of all ages and backgrounds to come play, be themselves, and become amazing adults; many of our members see the Club as a second home. Either way, it is the place where great futures are started each and every day.
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to be great today and reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens tomorrow.
We primarily service communities in New Hampshire’s Souhegan Valley: Milford, Amherst, Hollis, Brookline, Mont Vernon, Lyndeborough, and Wilton.
More importantly, we serve hundreds of aspiring young artists, athletes, engineers, teachers, and leaders in our Club’s programs, including diverse gym programs, unique theater and dance opportunities, community service programs, STEAM, and more.
Our History
Since our founding in 1991, our Club has a rich tradition of serving the youth in our community.
1994-1997
Club operates at the National Guard Armory.
1997
Programs move to the Granite Grange in Milford. By the fall of 1999, the Club has 75 members and is averaging 40 children a day.
1991-1993
In 1991, the Club is founded as STOPP (Students to Offset Peer Pressure) offering services to teens. The name changes in 1993 to Souhegan Valley Teens, then Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club.
2000
Programs move to a renovated storefront in Granite Town Plaza.
Daily attendance increases to 60 kids a day!
2004
The Club moves to its current home. The former American Stage Festival building and property is purchased by the Amato family and donated as the site of a new facility. A capital campaign is launched to renovate the theater and build a new Club around the existing structure. A footbridge is installed over the Souhegan River to connect the Club to the town’s recreation fields, pool, tennis courts, and skate park.
2006
The Club launches the Riverbend Youth Company when it produces its first ever musical, Les Miserables, in early 2006, closely followed by Anne of Green Gables, at the new facility. This begins a defining focus on the arts, reflected in the 100+ youth productions that are performed by the RYC over the coming years.
2007
The Club encounters devastating floods in April, forcing the building to close. Thanks to incredible support from the community, programs are offered in alternate locations and the Club reopens in late May.
2009
Club membership increases to 630 kids a year!
2012
Community Action for Safe Teens (CAST) becomes a committee of the BGCSV. CAST joins with a charter to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy choices for youth throughout Souhegan Valley.
2016
In the spring of 2016, Club staff, board members, and the 2016 Youth of the Year grab their shovels and break ground for the new gym, which is built over the next six months.
In October, Club members cut the ribbon on the brand new gymnasium, starting the newest chapter in the history of the Club. We are proud to offer ongoing athletic programs and allow our kids the space to play all year round.
2018
Club membership exceeds 1,000 members for the year for the first time in our history!
2020
When the pandemic hit in March, the Club temporarily closed, but quickly reopened to support essential workers and students with virtual learning. By summer, Camp Souhegan returned with outdoor theater, STEAM activities, and plenty of sunshine-filled fun on the playground.
2022
The Club is continuing to rebuild our memberships, serving more than 700 Club Kids each year from Milford and the surrounding communities.
Today
Each day, more than 200 youth from Milford and 14 surrounding towns walk through our doors to learn, grow, and connect. From before and after school programs and academic support to athletics, STEAM exploration, theater and the arts, and a welcoming Teen Center, the Club provides a safe, engaging space where every child can thrive. Our dedicated staff create meaningful relationships, foster confidence, and make learning and fun go hand in hand.