Opportunity Changes Everything

About BGC

Opportunity Changes Everything

For more than 100 years, BGC Ottawa has provided children and youth with a safe place between the realities of home life and the pressures of school – a place of positivity and belonging where they can play, create and learn what it takes to become their best selves.
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As one of Ottawa’s largest child and youth-serving charitable organizations, BGC Ottawa provides free life-changing programs and services to more than 12,000 young people each year. The Club serves 31 neighbourhoods through its Neighbourhood Ambassador Program, operates four Clubhouses located throughout the city and Camp Smitty, our overnight camp in Eganville.
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We provide safe, supportive places where all kids and teens, of all backgrounds, can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, and develop confidence and skills for life. From anti-racism to Reconciliation to 2SLGBTQ+, food security to scholarships to job readiness, our Clubs battle systemic issues with systemic solutions – equity, acceptance, support, opportunity.

BGC Ottawa Membership and programs are completely
FREE

To provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.

All children and youth discover and achieve their dreams and grow up to be their best selves.

Our core values

Belonging

We welcome everyone in a safe, accepting environment based on belonging and positive relationships.

Respect

We ensure that everyone - children, youth, families, volunteers, staff - is heard, valued, and treated fairly.

Encouragement

We encourage and support every child and youth to play, learn, and grow to achieve their dreams.

Working Together

We work together with young families, volunteers, our communities, and government.

Speaking Out

We speak out for our children, youth, and families, so that we can make our world better.

Club History

100 years… it’s hard to believe that BGC Ottawa has been around for a century!

From where we came from… a Boy’s Club and Camp for youth where they could participate in boxing matches, hockey games and hone their woodworking skills. To a club that provides safe, supportive places where all kids and teens can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers and develop confidence and skills for life.

Dive into our history to learn more about the people and moments that have helped shape who we are, and why the Club is important to Ottawa, the communities we serve and the tens of thousands of Members who have walked through our doors.

View our Full History