New Spot For Flandreau's Boys & Girls Club

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
November 16, 2012 8:59 PM


Boys & Girls Clubs across South Dakota have been growing at a rapid pace.

The Brookings location has worked on plans to expand their club, while Flandreau will be see their first stand alone facility come next winter.

In the early afternoon hours, the Boys & Girls Club in Flandreau is empty, but come 3:30, Monday through Friday, nearly 100 of kids shuffle their way into the building.

"It's a busy location," said Carruth.

Emily Carruth, the Director of Development and Marketing for the Boys & Girls Club said the location in Moody County, has been open since 2007, but they've had to bounce between five different locations.

"We've never had a permanent home of our own, for the past few years we've been exploring options," said Carruth.

Now, Moody County will see their first stand-alone building, one that will serve kids from Kindgergarten, all the way up to 12th grade and the club, got quite a good deal on land.

"The city is graciously giving us this land for one dollar," said Carruth.

The land is right next to the school in Flandreau, providing easier access for the kids.

"Being next to the Bill Janklow Community Center allows our students to just walk straight from school over to the Boys & Gils Club," said Carruth.

The Club is hoping to raise $4 Million through a capitol and endowment campaign and so far, they've raised nearly $1 Million, all for their mission.

"To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most to realize their full potential as productive and caring citizens," said Carruth.

Come December of 2013, the Boys & Girls Club in Flandreau will have a new home, just a couple blocks down the road from this location, to play, learn and to grow.

The Flandreau Boys & Girls Club will break ground this May for their new location.