Now that the school year is in full swing, the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau is excited to welcome youth back for another year of free after‑school learning.
The Club’s 2026–2027 after‑school program began Monday, August 24, and serves youth through May 2027 at both BGCP locations. The Cashiers Club, located at 558 Frank Allen Road, and the Highlands Club, located at 171 Hospital Drive, serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Free transportation is provided from Blue Ridge School and Summit Charter School for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and from Highlands School for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, making high‑quality after‑school programming accessible to local families at no cost.
Academic success is at the core of the club experience, beginning with Power Hour each afternoon, where members receive homework help from caring staff before diving into hands‑on activities that make learning fun. Younger readers who need additional support can also participate in Read2Learn, BGCP’s one‑on‑one literacy tutoring program designed to strengthen foundational reading skills.
At BGCP, no two afternoons look exactly alike. One day members may be building rockets during a STEM project; the next they might be creating artwork, tending the garden, hiking to local waterfalls, playing sports, or learning to cook a new recipe. The variety keeps members engaged, allowing them to build teamwork, creativity, and problem‑solving skills through experiences they genuinely enjoy.
Behind every great club experience are caring Youth Development Specialists who build meaningful relationships with members each day. They create a safe, welcoming environment where young people are encouraged, supported, and known by name. Reflecting its strong partnership with local schools, BGCP received the 2025–2026 Highlander Service Award from Highlands School in recognition of its ongoing support of students and the broader school community.
Carmen Waite, Chief Executive Officer, said, “At BGCP, we’re committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed. We’re proud to provide free after‑school programming that supports local youth and makes a lasting impact on our community.”
As another school year begins, BGCP looks forward to welcoming both returning and new members through its doors. Every afternoon brings another opportunity for local youth to learn, laugh, build friendships, and go home knowing someone believed in them. The club continues to help the Plateau by building bright futures one afternoon at a time.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau serves youth from kindergarten through 12th grade in the Cashiers and Highlands communities. BGCP is nationally recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as one of the top 20 Clubs out of 5,200 in the country. The Club offers a wide range of programs focusing on academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles. BGCP is committed to ensuring that all children, especially those who need it most, have access to a safe and supportive environment after school and during the summer months.
For more information, please contact me, Kayla Deaton, at (828) 743‑2775 or via email at kayla@bgcplateau.org. Visit our website at bgcplateau.org.
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