Who is BCG Yorkton?
BGC Yorkton is a Provincial Recreation Association who receives annual funding from Sask Lotteries. BGC Yorkton is one of three BGC Clubs in Saskatchewan alongside clubs located in Saskatoon and North Battleford. Each Club belongs to the same national network, but programming looks different in every community. This is to address and prioritize the unique needs of each local community.
In Yorkton, the focus is on after-school care, summer day camps, and programs for middle years and teens. Membership is free and almost all programs are offered at no cost. This removes financial barriers so kids can simply just show up and have a great time.
Meeting Community Needs
For many families, after-school care is difficult to access. Waitlists at other programs in the city can be long and options are limited. BGC Yorkton helps fill this gap. What I found amazing is that BGC Yorkton has teamed up with local schools to include their facilities on the school bus route. This is impactful and ensures families can access after-school care without transportation barriers.
Children start their after-school hours with a snack, spending a little time reading from the lending library, or enjoying free play with toys until everyone has arrived. Afterwards, staff lead planned activities such as crafts, science experiments, or active play that help kids shake off their school-day energy. On busy days as many as 50 children fill the space and on quieter days around 30. No matter the number, the room is always full of activity and laughter. Additionally, the Club’s summer day camps are just as popular. This year, registration filled up in just 11 minutes. As staff put it, “a good problem to have.”
New Programs and Initiatives
What I was most intrigued about and excited to hear was BGC Yorkton’s new initiatives and programs. This includes:
Monthly Family Programs - intentional opportunities for parents and children to share new experiences together. This can include seasonal crafts to active games, while connecting with other families in the community.
Cultural Nights - inviting community members to share traditions, food, and activities with youth.
Rewild Your Child - a new outdoor play program for ages 3-5, encouraging exploration and connection with nature.
The Club also works hard to break down barriers by supporting food security with daily snacks, cooking programs, and weekend brown bag meals. They also offer an environmentally friendly, stigma-free teen clothing closet where youth can pick out a fresh wardrobe. This initiative, called “Clothes for Bros,” taps into the thrifting trend and makes clothing access both fun and empowering.
A Place for Teens
Older youth also have a space of their own. The Teen Centre, open daily after school until 8 p.m., has become a home base for many students in Grades 7–12.
Here, the amenities reflect what teens want and need: a tech centre, a lending library, and plenty of lounge space. Some come for pool tournaments or Mario Kart. Others prefer art programs, beading, recreational sport, or cooking nights. However, many simply enjoy and prefer just to hang out at the kitchen counter, chatting with staff about their day.
What makes the Teen Centre unique isn’t just the amenities. It’s the relationships. Staff take the time to listen, to remember details, and to celebrate milestones. As the Director of Operations, Erin Roussin, said “Sometimes they just need someone who isn’t a parent to talk to about school or friendships. That sense of connection keeps them coming back.”
A Place to Belong
The stories that come out of BGC Yorkton show how lasting their club’s impact can be. Children who once attended programs are now returning as volunteers, staff, or even as parents who bring their own kids through the doors. Staff have been invited to weddings, messaged years later by former participants, or simply greeted on the street.
As Oranchuk put it, “We try hard to create a sense of belonging because we wholeheartedly believe that belonging is the antidote to so many challenges. No matter who you are, you can come here, and this is your place.”
As a summer student with SPRA, I left my conversation with BGC Yorkton feeling inspired and hopeful. The creativity of their staff, their commitment to breaking down barriers, and the strong relationships they built with participants truly stood out. The passion their staff bring to each program shows just how impactful a safe and welcoming space can be for kids and teens
BGC Yorkton is a powerful example of how recreation can shape healthier, happier, and more connected communities.
Learn more about BGC Yorkton here:
https://www.bgcyorkton.ca
