What started in 1941 as a way to keep boys off the streets has grown into a comprehensive youth development program empowers boys and girls to be successful citizens and make a difference in their community. Originally the Club was designed simply as a place for young men to box and play sports. The Boys & Girls Club of today, as with all good things, has grown and evolved to meet the needs of the community it serves. Over the last 85 years, the Boys and Girls Club has tripled the number of youth served and grown from a single location to several different locations across Washington County. True to its origins, our commitment to enriching the lives of local youth remains as strong as it did when the first Club opened over 85 years ago.
Throughout 2026, the BGCWC will celebrate its 85th anniversary, marking more than eight decades of service and commitment to youth across Western Maryland.
Founded in 1941 as the Boys Club, the organization first operated behind the Hagerstown farmer’s market, serving local boys from the city. It later moved to its long-term home in the former Fairchild building at 805 Pennsylvania Avenue, where the Club continues to thrive today.
The mid 1990s marked a major milestone with the inclusion of girls in programming and expansion into the first of three Hagerstown Housing Authority communities. Growth continued in the early 2020s with the addition of programs serving youth in two Hagerstown Elementary Schools, Allegany County and the complete renovation of the Pennsylvania Avenue clubhouse—now the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Center.
The Club unveiled a special 85th anniversary logo at its Holiday Showcase in December. The design blends the organization’s current branding with elements of its original Boys Club emblem.
The 2026 celebration calendar includes:
• March: Honoring former Youth of the Year recipients at the annual Youth of the Year dinner
• May: Hosting the Maryland State Youth of the Year competition in Washington County
• Summer: A community-wide alumni reunion
• November: A special 85th Anniversary Gala to conclude the yearlong celebration
