Frequently
asked questions

All youth must be registered members to attend the Club. Families complete a registration packet, pay a registration fee, and participate in an orientation prior to attendance.

Members are expected to follow the Club’s Positive Climate and Positive Choice policies, which emphasize respect, responsibility, safety, and accountability.

Additional guidelines related to attendance, supervision, drop-off and pick-up procedures, and behavior expectations are shared during registration and orientation and are outlined in the Membership Handbook.

For preschool-aged children, the LEAP Early Childhood Center in Detroit Lakes maintains a staff-to-child ratio of 1:10.

For school-aged, certified child care services, Boys & Girls Club sites maintain a 1:15 staff-to-child ratio, meaning one qualified staff member for every fifteen children.

These ratios are aligned with Minnesota child care licensing standards and help ensure safety, supervision, and age-appropriate support for all members.

Yes. The Boys & Girls Club is an inclusive organization and does not discriminate based on abilities. The Club works with families to understand individual needs and provides reasonable accommodation when possible.

Because programming is group-based, the Club may not be able to meet the needs of those requiring consistent one-on-one supervision or advanced medical care. Families are encouraged to connect with the Unit Director to discuss individual needs prior to registration.

Yes. Financial assistance may be available to families who qualify.

Families are encouraged to first apply for Minnesota state child care assistance (CCAP) when applicable. Once approved, families may apply for Boys & Girls Club scholarships to help cover any remaining balance.

Scholarship availability varies by Club site and is dependent on funding.

During the school year, the Detroit Lakes Club contracts bussing from the following schools: Rossman Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Holy Rosary School, and Detroit Lakes Middle School. Bussing from other school districts may be coordinated with that district.

Families are responsible for transportation to and from the LEAP Early Childhood Center Program year-round.

During the school year, the Perham Club provides supervised walking or transportation to school for the morning program and from school to the Club in the afternoon. Transportation decisions are based on weather conditions, safety considerations, and location.

During the summer, families are responsible for transportation to and from the Clubs. The Clubs do provide transportation for field trips and special outings as part of summer programming.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Perham Area and Detroit Lakes are funded through a combination of:

• Program and membership fees
• Individual and corporate donations
• Thrift Store proceeds
• Grants
• Fundraising events
• Community partnerships

This funding model allows the Club to provide high-quality programming while keeping services accessible to families.

Volunteer opportunities vary by Club site and include:

• Perham Advisory Council: The Advisory Council plays a vital role in supporting our Boys & Girls Club at the local level. Council members serve as ambassadors for the Club, helping strengthen community connections, raise awareness of the Club’s mission, and provide guidance to Club leadership. Individuals interested in joining our Advisory Council or committee service may contact the Unit Director for more information.
• Program volunteers: Program volunteers help strengthen the Club experience by providing additional support, encouragement, and positive adult connections for youth. By volunteering, community members help create a safe, welcoming environment where kids feel supported, engaged, and inspired to learn and grow. Program volunteers work alongside trained Club staff to support daily activities and special programming. All program volunteers who are regularly scheduled complete a standard background check as part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for youth.
• Event volunteers: Volunteers are often needed for fundraising and community events throughout the year such as Giving Hearts Day (February), Polar Fest Plunge (February), Cheers for a Cause dinner (October), and other special events, and seasonal activities. Please contact site Resource Development staff to inquire and learn more.
• Corporate Board: Serving as a corporate board member offers a meaningful opportunity to provide strategic guidance, governance oversight, and professional expertise that directly influences both the Detroit Lakes and Perham units. If you are interested in the long-term success of these clubs and want to learn more, contact Patrick Petermann – ceo@dlclub.org – to learn more.

For more information or to get started, please contact the Unit Director.

There are several ways to support the Club:

• Donate online through our website >Click Here
• Drop off a donation in person at either Club location
• Call the Club to ask about current needs or in-kind donation opportunities
• Donate services or items that support Club programming
• Support each of the Clubs’ thrift stores – Re-Use It Store in Perham and Boys & Girls Club Thrift Store & More in Detroit Lakes
• Give to the Endowment Fund in Detroit Lakes whose mission is to financially enhance and support the Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes now and into the future.

In-Kind Donations

You may use the following shopping links to purchase items for our programs.

               LEAP Early Childhood Center Program - Amazon.com

               School Aged Program - Amazon.com

Our wish list includes the following:

• Board Games: we can always use board games and card games for youth of all ages! Get creative. New board games are always being launched.
• Art Supplies: each of our sites provides arts & crafts programs on a daily basis. We can always use markers, art paper, construction paper, water colors, craft paint, canvases, brushes, beads, fabric, thread and other crafting supplies.
• Sports Equipment: basketballs, volleyballs, dodgeballs, 4-square balls, baseballs, tennis balls, soccer balls, jump ropes, chalk, pickle balls, etc.
• Imaginative Play: our kids love to play with Barbies, doll houses, costumes, trucks, Legos, play kitchen supplies, remote control cars, etc.
• Education Enhancements: we can use school supplies to ensure our kids have the tools they need in school and at the Clubs, including spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, glue, scissors, calculators, books for all ages, etc.
• Technology: we can use Chromebooks, ipads, Playstations, VR headsets, and more for programs. Gently used technology donations go through simple approval process.
• PPE: hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, disinfectant, etc.
• Personal hygiene: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, feminine products, etc.

These items are always needed to replace used equipment and to maintain quality programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Detroit Lakes and Perham. Thank you for supporting our community’s young people.

Gifts of land, shares of appreciated stock, and other financial investments, etc. 

Planned Giving – I will get you a better description for this

The Boys & Girls Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Your generosity directly supports local youth and families.