This fall, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota proudly celebrates the 40th anniversary of its groundbreaking KIDSTOP program, which has provided school-age children with safe, engaging, and affordable after-school care since 1985.
The program was born from raising a simple but urgent question: How can we design a program that keeps “latch key” kids active and busy in a positive place? That question, posed by Club staff and District 742 teachers in the early 1980s, led to a pioneering partnership with South Elementary School. Together, they launched after-school programming “Boys & Girls Club style,” bringing the same high-quality experiences kids enjoyed at the Club into their school buildings.
In the fall of 1985, two pilot programs—KIDSTOP South and KIDSTOP East—opened their doors, welcoming 78 children. Tom Wicks, then Director of Operations, along with Executive Director Dave Borgert, played a key role in developing the KIDSTOP program in the community. By 1987, nearly 1,200 youth were enrolled in 11 KIDSTOP locations across Central Minnesota.
The KIDSTOP program quickly became a model for school-based youth programming nationwide. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota was considered the pioneer of school-based programming for children during those critical hours immediately after school,” said Boys & Girls Club’s current President & CEO Mary Swingle. “The KIDSTOP program continued to grow and thrive under Mark Sakry’s leadership during his term as executive director. His passion for serving children in our community ensured the success of KIDSTOP as the premier school-based childcare program in Central Minnesota.”
The program’s expansion has been steady and strategic. After establishing strong roots in District 742, KIDSTOP grew into the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district in 1986, Sartell-St. Stephen in 1990, and ROCORI in 2010. Today, KIDSTOP operates in 13 schools in the St. Cloud, and Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sartell-St. Stephen and the organization recently launched KIDSTOP at two locations in the Little Falls school district. In total, KIDSTOP is currently serving 1,694 registered members with daily attendance topping 1,000 children.
“Our partnership with our local school districts has greatly benefited the children of Central Minnesota and their families,” said Geri Bechtold, Vice President of Operations. “We couldn’t successfully provide KIDSTOP programming without the help of our school partners where programs take place. Collaboration is really the key to KIDSTOP’s success.”
Nationally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s approach has earned recognition. In the 1990s, most school-based Clubs were temporary until permanent facilities were built. Long-term partnerships like KIDSTOPs were rare. Today, more than 2,500 Boys & Girls Clubs operate in schools nationwide, a testament to the trailblazing model established in Central Minnesota.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota were innovative early pioneers in establishing partnerships with local schools to open Clubs,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of America Director of Organizational Development Brent Seelmeyer. “This organization has also sustained operations of KIDSTOP for 40 years, a remarkable testament to the quality of the programming and successful outcomes for the young people served in Central Minnesota.”
Now in its 40th year, KIDSTOP remains one of Minnesota’s largest school-age child care programs for grades K–6. Children engage daily in homework help, gym activities, outdoor play, the arts, and programs that build healthy lifestyles and strong character.
“The heart of KIDSTOP is the kids,” said Bechtold. “For 40 years, we’ve been honored to provide a safe place where children can learn, grow, and belong. We look forward to continuing that mission for decades to come.”