Playing baseball and softball offers numerous physical and social benefits. These sports help improve hand-eye coordination, agility, and overall physical fitness. They also foster teamwork, communication skills, and a sense of camaraderie among players, contributing to personal growth and a sense of belonging within a team. Lastly, baseball and softball provide opportunities for stress relief and enjoyment, promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

Boys’ baseball (ages 12 & Under) and Girls’ softball (ages 14 & under) offers league play generally starting in June of each summer. Off-season workouts for both sports are also offered during the winter to prepare aspiring members for league play in the spring and summer months. Most of our games are held at the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club in Sherman Park.

Quickball is literally Quick Baseball. With innovative concepts like timed games, multi-batter offenses and arena-style action, Quickball is the diamond’s great equalizer – a sport that anyone can excel at regardless of size or strength! At the Clubs, we use the game of Quickball to engage youth while providing adults with a platform to discuss life lessons and the value of positive decision making. Using the game as a vehicle to increase dialogue, youth and their peers discuss and learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, communication, and other key life skills. 

Hip hop dance offers a dynamic and engaging way to stay physically active and fit. It promotes coordination, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance through its energetic and rhythmic movements. Beyond the physical benefits, hip hop dance is a creative outlet that fosters self-expression, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging within a supportive community of dancers. Dance lessons are offered at various club locations throughout the summer. 

For more information, click here or contact Cedric Gardner. 

Pitch Hit & Run is a free event that provides boys and girls — ages 7 to 14 — an opportunity to showcase their baseball and softball skills, while earning a chance to attend and perform during the MLB® World Series! Our local event is held each summer at the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club in Sherman Park.  Athletes are tested, and their measurements are recorded. Based on their scores, they advance from a local event to a Team Championship held in MLB stadiums. Top scores then qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip for two to compete at the National Finals, which is hosted at the World Series.  

Playing basketball offers numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. It enhances cardiovascular fitness, agility, and coordination, promoting overall physical health. Additionally, it fosters teamwork, communication skills, and discipline, while also providing a fun and competitive outlet for stress relief and personal growth. Boys & Girls Clubs hosts basketball leagues for all ages and skill development sessions throughout the year at various Clubs.

Skiing offers a multitude of physical and mental benefits. It provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, enhancing endurance and overall fitness. Additionally, skiing challenges balance and coordination, contributing to improved body control, while the picturesque mountain landscapes and fresh air provide a natural stress-relief and a sense of exhilaration, making it a perfect activity for both physical health and mental well-being.  We are fortunate to partner with Positive Altitudes to offer free equipment, proper clothing, lessons, lift tickets, and more to select members each year to provide them the opportunity to hit the slopes in a safe and fun way. 

The Pull Your Own Weight program is designed to build self confidence in our members by strengthening their bodies, keeping them physically fit, building good nutritional habits, and helping them to set and achieve goals. In “Pull Your Own Weight” training, you are the resistance. No matter if you weigh 80 or 120 pounds, you’re hauling those pounds around every day. This program teaches members how to use their body’s weight for a workout with a minimum amount of stationary equipment or no equipment at all.  This allows everyone to train their entire body, even if they don’t have access to a gym. 

The TeamSmile Dental Home Project will connect children with a dentist and long-term dental care resources. As such, the impact of the TeamSmile program will have a tremendous ripple effect in the lives of children throughout the country.  Here in Milwaukee, we are fortunate to partner with Delta Dental and Milwaukee Brewers to offer our members free oral health education, screening, treatment.  Our members are taught that the mouth and body are linked for overall health. This event typically happens in June of each year.  

This program is designed to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club Experience. Healthy Habits emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity and improving overall well-being. The program, for ages 6 to 15, is the Mind component of Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul. 

Golf offers a range of physical, mental, and social benefits. It provides a low-impact exercise that can improve cardiovascular health, flexibility, and balance. Golfers also benefit from spending time outdoors in green, serene environments, which can reduce stress and enhance overall well-being. Additionally, golf is known for its social aspects, allowing players to network, build relationships, and enjoy leisurely rounds with friends or colleagues.  Each summer, we offer an opportunity to members at select Clubs to try golf for the day. 

Fishing offers a unique blend of relaxation and outdoor adventure. It provides an opportunity to connect with nature, unwind, and de-stress while enjoying the tranquility of a natural environment. Moreover, fishing can enhance patience, concentration, and problem-solving skills, as anglers must adapt to changing conditions and think strategically to catch fish, making it a rewarding and mentally engaging pastime.  We are honored to partner with “Learn 2 Fish With Us”, who provide our members with two fishing clinics each summer. Members are provided their very own fishing rigs which are theirs to keep at the end of the clinic.

This prestigious scholarship is a merit-based award designed to support the educational and training pursuits of our valued members in various fields, including sports, art, visual arts, dance, and theater. Active Club members are encouraged to apply for this scholarship each year, and they can be awarded up to $3,500. The recipients are all in between the fifth grade and 10th grade, which ensures them plenty of time to hone their respective skills before graduation. 

Playing hockey offers a unique combination of physical, mental, and social advantages. It promotes cardiovascular fitness, agility, and strength due to its fast-paced nature and demanding physical requirements. Hockey also fosters teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship, as players work together to achieve goals while building camaraderie and social bonds within a team.  We are fortunate to partner with the Milwaukee Admirals to offer a variety of experiences exposing youth to the sport of hockey. 

Play Breaks are quick outdoor activities to incorporate healthy movement into Club programming for members 6-18.  Statistics show that Americans spend, on average, 95 percent of our time indoors – equivalent to nearly 346 days a year inside and a mere ten outside! We spend four times more time watching TV than enjoying the great outdoors.  The youth development professionals in our Clubs utilize Play Breaks to get members outside, get them active and get them on a path to long-term healthy lifestyles. 

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is a sport that brings numerous physical and social advantages. It promotes cardiovascular fitness, agility, and teamwork, contributing to overall physical health and coordination. Playing soccer also encourages camaraderie and sportsmanship, fostering social connections and a sense of belonging within a team, while the fast-paced nature of the game improves quick decision-making and strategic thinking. We are excited to share that select Clubs run soccer leagues and have access to soccer fields. 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee is proud to be a supporter of the Neighborhood Children’s Sports League (NCSL). This league was created in 1958 as a non-profit organization encouraging youth development for over 50 years in the central city of Milwaukee. NCSL endorses leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills that will transition our youth into productive human beings willing to contribute time, energy and money back into their own community. Responsibility, sportsmanship, mentorship and social skill development are the keys that drive the organization, and this aligns with the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs. The season runs from August to October each year.

Playing chess enhances critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and memory retention. It fosters patience, concentration, and the ability to manage time effectively. Moreover, chess promotes resilience and sportsmanship, making it a valuable tool for both intellectual and personal development. Select Clubs teach chess fundamentals to beginners of all ages. Members will learn the moves of each chess piece and how to engage in competitive play. Once they learn how to play, they will have the option of competing in real tournaments with other players from around the world!