Watertown Boys and Girls Club announces permanent closure of Kidscope program

March 14, 2024

WATERTOWN, S.D.–The Kidscope sites operated by the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown will permanently close at the end of the school year. This will include the two school-year sites at Jefferson and Lincoln Schools and the summer Kidscope program. Friday, May 17 will be the last day of services.

The closure is not a result of poor youth outcomes or quality issues with staff or program execution. Streamlining organizational operations and duplication of services provided at the Boys & Girls Club is the main factor in making this decision.

Declining enrollments and the need has also changed within the Kidscope program in the last five years. Only 5% of eligible Watertown School District youth are utilizing the Kidscope program which currently enrolls 73 youth. Summer enrollments have significantly decreased with many families choosing the Club or other childcare options.

Club officials said they are proud of the quality, full-service youth development programs at the Main Club Site and youth members who have completed Kindergarten can enroll for this summer and fall. The Club site is open to 1st – 12th grade youth. Annual membership is $25 a year.

The organization is currently researching the need for a new Kindergarten program at McKinley Elementary for the school-year and plan to release more information about potential programming later this spring.