Kalamazoo for Kids ~ Clubs and Organizations

Most of these listings are national organizations with local chapters. Please click on the name to visit their website for more information.

Please contact us to add a listing.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Growing up today is difficult. Kids are faced with many tough decisions about friends, school, alcohol and drugs, relationships, and their futures. Young people without a positive adult connection are 6 times more likely to drop out of school and 4 times more likely to be involved in delinquent activity. Big Brothers Big Sisters connects volunteer mentors with kids who need and want an adult to show them how far they can go and help them find their way.

Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America's SW Michigan Council offers information about local troops throughout SW Michigan. Their Counsel Service Center is located on Maple Street in Kalamazoo, with a satellite office in Benton Harbor and an upcoming satellite office in Battle Creek. Website also includes information about upcoming area scouting events, camps, and volunteer opportunities.

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo
Their mission is to assure and enhance the quality of life of Kalamazoo youth through education, mentoring, arts programs and recreational activities. The Boys & Girls Club is also an advocate for youth in the community, working collaboratively with others who support our youth. They offer many different programs for children and adults, including sports, arts, character and leadership development, education and career development, a residential camp, and volunteer opportunities.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
The Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan consists of five former central Michigan councils, including the Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers, Girl Scouts of the Huron Valley, Girl Scouts Irish Hills, Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital, Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay and two jurisdictional changing councils – Girl Scouts of Fair Winds and Girl Scouts of Singing Sands. These councils merged in October 2008 to create one great council. The Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan now serves 40,000 girls in 33 counties in Michigan. We offer over 500 programs designed especially for girls, have 11 pristine camps, and six regional centers including Jackson, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Saginaw and Calhoun County (based in Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA). Call your local regional center today to find a troop near you! The GSHOM website has an online shop, includes the information for each regional center, news and information on the Girls Scouts, information on special programs and more. Click on the link above to visit the website and find out how to contact your regional centers.

Kalamazoo County 4-H
4-H offers youth opportunities for ages 5-19 in communications, leadership, career development, livestock, home improvement, and computer technology. The program is instrumental in building life skills in youth and making our communities better places to live and work. 4-H will continue to grow and develop with the head, heart, hands, and health of youth around the world. Contact the Kalamazoo Michigan State University Extension 4-H office at 269-383-8648 or msue39@msu.edu. The Extension staff can guide you to 4-H groups and 4-H opportunities in your community.

YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
Lincoln branch: 912 N. Burdick, Kalamazoo, (269) 345-9845
Maple branch: 1001 W. Maple St., Kalamazoo, (269) 345-9622
Portage branch: 2900 W. Centre St, Portage, (269) 324-9622
The Maple and Portage branches offer a full range of classes and programs. The Lincoln branch offers youth and teen programing.

YWCA of Kalamazoo
353 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, (269) 345-5595
They offer fitness classes for all ages, and provide a women's and children's shelter and 24-hour crisis line. The YWCA of Kalamazoo achieves its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through programs and services operated by their YW-Children's Center, YW-Community & Member Services, YW-Domestic Violence Program, YW-Mentoring Program and YW-Sexual Assault Program. They also offer a Parent's Night Out once per month (during Art Hop), counseling services, various film series, and more.

Please contact us to add a listing.

Please use the information we've gathered here as a "spring board" for your research and interview each business or organization to make sure that it's safe and that it is a good fit for your family. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, we do not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents to confirm any information given herein and consult with your doctor or an appropriate professional concerning any information of question. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Kalamazoo for Kids, its officers, staff or contributors.