August 2026

Welcome to the August 2026 edition of Community & Club Connections, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area’s (BGCAA) monthly newsletter! Stay up to date on the latest news.

💙✏️ Start the School Year Strong with Boys & Girls Clubs

As the new school year begins, give your child a place to learn, grow, and thrive after the school bell rings. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area provide safe, engaging after-school programs that help youth build confidence, stay active, and strengthen the math and reading skills they need to succeed in the classroom.



Make this school year their best one yet! Find a Club and register today at bgcaustin.org/join-the-club 

With caring mentors, enriching activities, and opportunities to explore new interests, Club members are empowered to reach their full potential all year long. 

Join us for our Back to School Bash hosted by Spurs Sports & Entertainment + Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area. 

When: Saturday, August 8 

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 

Where: Home Club on the Sheth Family Campus, 6648 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 

You can expect: 

🎒 Free school supplies (child must be present to receive) 

🩺 Free physical exams 

🏀 Interactive Games 

⚡️First come, first served while supplies last. 

☀️ Summer of Growth, Learning, and Opportunity

We wrapped up another incredible Great Futures Summer Camp, serving nearly 1,600 Club kids across 12 sites. Every day, our Clubs provided safe, engaging, and enriching experiences that made this summer one of learning, connection, and unforgettable memories.

From museum and library visits to fishing, swimming, and movie days, Club kids explored, discovered, and grew through every adventure. More than just summer fun, these experiences built confidence, strengthened relationships, and prepared young people for the school year ahead.

At the same time, Club teens took important steps toward their futures through internships and workforce development programs, including Ladders for Leaders, Classroom Ready, Next Gen Academy, and partnerships with the Austin Housing Authority and Travis County Summer Youth Employment Program. They explored career pathways, developed professional skills, and built confidence alongside mentors invested in their success.

A major milestone came as we celebrated over 100 young leaders who completed the 2026 Ladders for Leaders Summer Internship Program. Over six weeks, they gained real-world experience with 21 business partners across Central Texas, building professional skills, confidence, and connections that will help shape their futures.

As we prepare to welcome thousands of young people back to our Clubs this school year, we're proud of all that our members accomplished this summer. From creating joyful childhood memories to opening doors to college and careers, every experience helped inspire great futures and reinforced the lasting impact of our mission.

✨Keystone Club Teens Creating Change in their Communities

This summer, Club teens from Navarro High Boys & Girls Club traveled to attend the 2026 National Keystone Conference at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, joining hundreds of Boys & Girls Club members from across the country for several days of leadership development, service, and inspiration.



Centered around the theme "Move the Tide, Raise the Temp!", the conference challenged teens to use their voices, lead with purpose, and create positive change in their communities.

Congratulations to Youth of the Year Runner-Up H'Sanii B., who was one of the Panda Cares Scholarship recipients in recognition of his commitment to leadership, advocacy, and service.

"Winning the scholarship meant a lot to me because it showed me that I do have a lot of leadership qualities. Being a part of Keystone has taught me the importance of collaborating and advocating for our community." –H'Sanii B., Navarro High Club member

Recognized during the National Keystone Conference, H'Sanii received a $2,500 Panda Cares Scholarship in honor of his commitment to leadership, advocacy, and service. From representing youth voices on Capitol Hill to leading community service projects through Keystone Club, H'Sanii continues to make a lasting impact in his community.

The conference offered all of our Keystone Club members opportunities to grow as leaders through inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, service projects, and meaningful connections with peers from Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. They returned home empowered to make an even greater impact in their schools, Clubs, and communities.

Beyond the leadership experience, the teens also enjoyed visiting the Disney parks, with many experiencing Disney for the very first time, a memorable celebration that made an already life-changing experience even more special.

We can't wait to see how they'll put what they learned into action here in Austin.

🏀 Introducing ACE Hoops: Expanding Opportunities Through Basketball

This summer, we launched BGCAA ACE Hoops, our inaugural Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball program, giving Club teens from Navarro Boys & Girls Club the opportunity to compete on Girls 16U and Boys 16U teams.

As an official AAU club, ACE Hoops provides student-athletes with a platform to develop their basketball skills while building leadership, teamwork, discipline, and confidence. The program also introduces young people to opportunities beyond high school through athletics, helping prepare them for success on and off the court.

Coached by Club Director Jacob Hernandez and Director of Club Operations Alexis Frias, the Girls ACE Hoops team qualified for the AAU tournament in July, competing against teams from across the country and making it to the semi-finals!

As ACE Hoops grows, so will opportunities for more Club teens to compete, develop as leaders, and explore college and post-graduation pathways through sports.

⚾️ T-Ball Champions Swinging Away Towards Success!

Our second T-Ball season brought together more than 60 of our youngest Club athletes across five Club teams for a season filled with learning, laughter, and friendly competition. Through weeks of practices and games, members developed fundamental baseball skills while building confidence, sportsmanship, and the value of working together both on and off the field.

Congratulations to our 2026 T-Ball champions, the Home Club team, for an outstanding season! While the championship marked an exciting finish, every player stepped onto the field with opportunities to grow, make new friends, stay active, and discover that success comes from teamwork, perseverance, and having fun.

🎵 Building Confidence, One Song at a Time

This summer, Boys & Girls Club members are finding their voices through Choir thanks to the American Artists Project!

“One thing I like about this class is I learn a lot of new things, and I love singing.” – 4th grade, Kiersten, Club kid 

As they learned vocal techniques, rhythm, music theory, and new songs, Club members also built confidence, strengthened teamwork, improved listening skills, and found new ways to express themselves.

Now, that journey continues! Students in grades 4–12 are invited to audition for the Boys & Girls Clubs Choir with an opportunity to perform at the 2026 Great Futures Gala on Thursday, October 8. Selected members will receive mentorship from experienced music educators, participate in weekly ensemble rehearsals, and build their confidence.

Auditions: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Where: Home Club | 6648 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:00–6:00 PM (September 1–October 6)

🤝Celebrating Community at Be the People Fest

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area was proud to be part of Be the People Fest this July, where community members came together to celebrate connection and make a difference for local youth.

Throughout the day, visitors stopped by our booth to write encouraging back-to-school notes for Club kids, snap photos, and learn how their support helps open doors to safe spaces, caring mentors, and life-changing opportunities. Every note served as a reminder that our community is invested in helping Club kids succeed in school, build confidence, and achieve great futures.

Thank you to Be the People for hosting this incredible event and to everyone who stopped by to support our mission. Your words of encouragement will remind Club kids that an entire community is cheering them on as they head into a new school year.

⚽️ World Cup Soccer Day with the City of Manor Mayor and FIFA Donation 

Boys & Girls Club members participated in the City of Manor’s soccer clinic with Mayor of Manor Dr. Chris Harvey and FIFA, which generously donated 150 soccer balls to BGCAA to inspire youth through the game. 

Club kids were introduced to soccer through engaging drills and activities that built teamwork, resilience, and confidence with every kick of the ball. 

"My favorite part was when we were playing Red Light, Green Light. It helped us learn more things and to do it more confidently." – Manor Club Kid, Emory



Thanks to the partnership between FIFA and the City of Manor, every participant received an official FIFA soccer ball to take home, extending the day's impact beyond the field and encouraging active play long after the event ended. 

Summer Movie Express Experience with Clubs

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Regal, our Club members are making unforgettable summer memories through the 2026 Regal Summer Movie Express program! 



This partnership with Regal and Boys & Girls Clubs of America gives youth the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the movies while helping prevent summer learning loss through fun, educational activities inspired by their favorite films. 

"Thanks to Regal's generosity, our Club members can experience the magic of the movies together while building friendships, expanding their imaginations, and creating memories that will last a lifetime." — Dr. LaTasha Carter, Chief Programs Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area 

We're grateful to Regal for investing in experiences that inspire creativity, strengthen friendships, and create opportunities for our youth to learn, grow, and thrive all summer long. 💙 

Bake Back Financial Literacy at Overton 

Thanks to volunteers from Bake Back America, Club kids at Overton BGC learned the difference between needs and wants through engaging, hands-on financial literacy activities through their youth engagement program.  

By introducing smart money habits at an early age, these lessons help build the confidence and decision-making skills that lay the foundation for lifelong financial success. 

“I learned that I shouldn't just spend all my money on things I want and think about what I need first.”– Ashley, Overton BGC Club member

Experiences like these empower Club kids with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed choices, reach their goals, and build great futures. Thank you, Bake Back America, for investing in the next generation!

🌟 Bank of America Charitable Foundation Helps Create Pathways to Success

Thank you to Bank of America Charitable Foundation for their generous donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area.  

Their support helps expand workforce readiness programming, equipping Austin-area youth with the skills, experiences, and confidence they need to prepare for future careers.  

By investing in young people today, Bank of America Charitable Foundation is helping open doors to brighter futures and ensuring more Club members have the opportunity to discover their potential, pursue their goals, and thrive. Thank you for believing in the next generation!

🏛️ Club Teens Explore Leadership, Government and

Careers in Law

Our Club teens recently stepped into the world of public service for a day of career exploration, civic engagement, and leadership development. 



During their visit to the Texas State Capitol, teens met with Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson and gained a behind-the-scenes look at the impact of government leadership. From exploring the House Chamber to engaging in meaningful conversations about service, advocacy, and community change, teens discovered how their voices can help shape the future. 

The experience continued at Foley & Lardner LLP, where teens explored careers in law, connected with legal professionals, and learned about the education, skills, and experiences needed to pursue careers in the legal field. 

"I am so so grateful for this opportunity, as I really want to go into law and have always been interested in policy, so this was a perfect event for me! 

I learned so much from this field trip, and this event made me even more certain to go into the legal field!" – Cleo, Ladders for Leaders Cohort participant

We'd like to thank Foley & Lardner LLP for investing in our Club teens and helping prepare the next generation of leaders, advocates, and changemakers. 

August

8

Back to School Bash!

Saturday, August 8, Spurs Sports & Entertainment + Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area is hosting our annula Back-to-School Bash from 10AM - 1PM at the Sheth Family Campus - 6648 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. RSVP today!

Great futures start with you.