About Us:

The City of Gardiner has supported the development of year round recreation programs for the past 15 years, prior to that the City supported many years of summer programs. 

Gardiner Recreation began offering year round child care programs in 1996.  This started with a small program for six children enrolled at the River View Community School.  Today we offer 250 area children a safe place to go everyday from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Programs served over 900 different children from Southern Kennebec county last year.

In 1999 the recreation committee began researching community centers and building based recreation programs such as YMCA's and Boys & Girls Clubs.  After much consideration and meetings with national representatives from YMCA and BGCA, the committee recommended that the recreation program begin developing a nonprofit BGC.

The mission the BGCA aligned with the work the recreation department was already doing.   The National BGC offers a wide range of programs, administrative support, funding opportunities and training. 

In 2000 the recreation committee worked with City Council and the Waterville Area Boys & Girls Club to create an affiliation agreement with Waterville to begin the development of a nonprofit BGC here in Gardiner.  In April of 2000 the BGCA awarded us a $27,000 grant to establish a teen center. 

In May 2001, the first slate of board members was chosen for the nonprofit.  By June they had developed bylaws for the organization.  The teen center was up and operating in the community room at Gardiner Public Library.   In May the railroad station was leased to house the growing teen center and administrative offices.