Inspiring & Enabling Youth to Realize Their Greatness!
Yelm Branch
About
After years of inclusion in Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County’s strategic plan, the Yelm branch opened September 2019. Located in the former Yelm City Hall building, the Branch averages a daily attendance of 50 youth. Strong community support and fundraising were instrumental in bringing the Club to the Yelm community. In 2021, the Branch installed a permanent display to honor and thank these generous donors, businesses, and community and corporate partners who advocated for and supported opening a new Boys & Girls Club in Yelm.
The Yelm Branch prepares young people for real-world success by offering programs and activities that teach Healthy Lifestyles, Academic Success and Good Character & Citizenship. The Club provides academic support, an array of educational programs, enriching games and activities, time to play and enjoy the company of peers as well as positive adult role models dedicated to supporting the social and emotional growth of the youth they serve.
The Yelm Branch partners with the Transportation and Food and Nutrition Departments of the City of Yelm and Yelm Community Schools. Since opening its doors, the Club has collaborated with numerous community groups and small businesses that support youth in Yelm.
Youth Spotlight
“The Club makes me happy because I actually got to see and hang out with friends during the pandemic.”
— Gabe, 5th Grade
Emily Sharwark, Yelm Branch Director
See What Happens Inside Boys & Girls Clubs!
Notices & Reminders
Branch Closures
To receive updates and information on the status of the Yelm Branch location, call (360) 529-5392 or visit the Yelm Branch Facebook page.
All Boys & Girls Club branch locations are closed the first Friday of every month for Staff Training (excluding July & August).
Additionally, we are closed on the following dates:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- One week before summer camp programming begins
- Independence Day
- One week after summer camp programming ends
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving and the following day
- The week of Christmas
The safety of Club members, their families, and our staff is our top priority. When the Club’s respective School District is closed due to poor weather conditions, Boys & Girls Clubs will also close before and after-school programs. When schools release youth early due to inclement weather, Clubs will also close.
If school is in session and the weather worsens during the day, decisions to remain open or not are made by Club leadership and are dependent on the specific weather conditions in and around each community.
School Year Hours of Operation
Morning Program:
6:30 to 9:00 a.m. (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)
6:30 to 10:00 a.m. (Wednesday)
Club members must be pre-registered.
After School:
2:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Our Club offers morning, after-school and summer day camp programming!
Inquire at the front desk regarding availability of programs and openings during school breaks and holidays.
Program Fees
Regular school-year activity fees are $150/month with an additional annual membership fee of $50.
Scholarships to cover fees are available to families who apply and qualify. Please inquire at the front desk of your respective branch.
Branch Location
The Yelm Branch is located in the former Yelm City Hall building:
105 W. Yelm Ave
Yelm, WA 98597
Phone: (360) 529-5392
Email: info@bgctc.org
Mailing Address
2102 Carriage Dr SW Ste A
Olympia, WA 98502
Academic Success
We want every child to graduate from high school with a plan for the future. Our members have resources such as:
- Homework help in the education center
- Reading and writing clubs
- Programs in the tech lab and various art projects
We also have many volunteers who help mentor our club members.
Character & Citizenship
Every day, our members are taught about:
- Being respectful
- Being responsible
- Having integrity in their lives and interactions with others
We maintain these expectations not just for our kids, but also for our staff and volunteers, whose leadership and mentoring help guide our young people by example.
Healthy Lifestyles
We want children to live healthy, active lifestyles and practice making good decisions for themselves. In order to achieve this, we:
- Serve nutritious food for snack sand dinners
- Encourage kids to play sports and be active
- Help them find new ways to communicate in the art and music rooms
- Make sure they are surrounded by great mentors