At first glance, the mission of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry seems beautifully simple: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
But behind those words lies a world of structure, commitment, and daily care that helps more than 1,400 children across Beaufort and Jasper counties discover what they’re truly capable of.
The work isn’t just about after-school care or summer camps, though. Mandy Parsons, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry, said it’s about cultivating success from every angle. “We focus on academics, character, healthy habits – the whole individual, which I really love,” she said. “We want to see every child become the best version of themselves.”
The organization spans nine club locations, including Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Hardeeville, and Ridgeland, each bringing to life the club’s shared vision: To provide a world-class club experience that ensures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors.
This vision takes shape through five core program areas: Arts; Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Each area is designed to meet kids where they are, sparking interests that can lead to lifelong skills and confidence.
“When school is out, clubs are in,” Parsons said. After school, students head to the club, where the first hour, called Power Hour, is dedicated to homework, tutoring, and academic support. “That’s the only requirement,” she said. “Everything else, they get to choose.”
This choice matters: Whether it’s joining the choir, playing basketball, learning to garden, or diving into art or robotics, kids can explore what truly excites them.
Academic growth is a cornerstone of every club. Innovative tools like Lexia, a literacy software, help kids identify their reading level and build personalized plans to advance. For math, the hands-on Math Masters program pairs students with volunteers to help them catch up or get ahead.
The results are impressive. “At the Bluffton Club, we had one member gain nearly half a year of growth in just 2.5 months,” Parsons said. “Three students advanced from below grade level to on grade level. It’s tremendous growth.”
These programs supplement, rather than replace, school instruction and close critical gaps that might otherwise keep kids from thriving academically.
Growing Character and Confidence
Beyond academics, the club’s work in character development shines through programs like Smart Girls and Passport to Manhood. These popular programs guide pre-teens and teens through topics like respect, friendship, etiquette, hygiene, and emotional health, all in a safe, supportive environment.
In Smart Girls, members might learn table etiquette at a tea party, explore how to be a supportive friend, or gain tools to navigate adolescence. Passport to Manhood offers a parallel experience for boys, teaching responsibility, respect, and how to be a gentleman.
What makes these programs resonate is the blend of fun and guidance, as well as the involvement of volunteers. “Typically, it’s groups like Kiwanis members, neighborhood associations, or women’s groups,” Parsons said. “Before volunteers come in, they undergo background checks and training focused on children’s physical and emotional safety.”
The impact extends beyond the kids. Volunteers often stay involved for years because they find the experience deeply rewarding. “It becomes an investment not just in the youth, but in the entire community,” Parsons said.
Health and wellness play a major role too. Kids learn about nutrition, healthy eating, and even how to grow food in the Garden Club. Local master gardeners volunteer their time, sharing both skills and passion.
“They absolutely love it,” Parsons said. “The kids get so excited, not just about planting and growing, but about cooking and tasting the food they raised.”
Thanks to staff like AJ Jenkins, who brings a culinary background to his role, members learn recipes and kitchen skills that connect garden to table.
Programs like these aren’t just educational. They foster pride, curiosity, and a sense of agency.
A Place for Everyone
If there’s one defining feature of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry, it’s inclusivity. Children from all backgrounds, ages six to 18, come together to learn, play, and grow.
“It’s a very diverse group of kids,” Parsons said. “There’s no single descriptor for who joins. It’s about giving every child, no matter their circumstances, the same chance to succeed.”
Parsons understands firsthand the difference that access can make. Years ago, as a single mom new to Hilton Head Island, she struggled to find affordable childcare for her two kids. Discovering the Boys & Girls Club proved transformative.
“It changed my life,” she said. “Not only did my kids have a safe place where they thrived, but it gave me the stability to grow in my career. And I never felt judged for needing help.”
Her story underscores why the club keeps program costs as low as possible, and why scholarships are so vital.
Investing in the Future
Running these programs isn’t free. Most members receive full or partial scholarships, funded by individual donations, grants, and events.
In Bluffton and Hilton Head, the clubs don’t receive government funding. Instead, they rely heavily on the generosity of the local community. “It’s private individuals, family foundations, and some corporate and neighborhood foundations,” Parsons said.
To keep these programs thriving, the organization hosts several annual fundraising events. The Hilton Head Gala each spring is the signature event, along with the Charity Clays Shoot in Jasper County in April. In May, Pedal Hilton Head Island brings cyclists together for a good cause, combining two existing rides into a single, larger event benefiting both the Hilton Head and Bluffton Clubs. In September, Par Fore Kids supports the Bluffton Club, and the Candy Cane Classic in December features golf, pickleball, and tennis tournaments at Sea Pines.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry isn’t just a collection of after-school activities. It is a place where kids discover who they are and what they can become. It’s where volunteers invest in the next generation, and where parents find support and peace of mind.
And while the club’s daily work covers everything from tutoring to theatre and sports, the real mission is deeper: equipping kids to graduate high school with a plan for the future, good character, and healthy habits.
From arts to athletics, gardening to math, each program adds another layer of skill, confidence, and connection. At its heart, the club creates a safe, inclusive space where potential becomes possibility.
Parsons sums it up best: “We remove financial barriers, so every child has access. We give them a safe, fun place to thrive – and that changes lives. It changed mine.”
For more information, visit BGLowcountry.org. Donations can be made online or by mailing a check to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry at 10 Pinckney Colony Road, Suite 103, Bluffton, SC 29909.
At a Glance: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry
Mission:
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Vision:
Provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
9 clubs, 1 goal – Serving youth across Beaufort and Jasper counties
Annual membership: 1,400 kids, ages 6-18
Core focus areas:
Arts
Character & Leadership Development
Education & Career Development
Health & Life Skills
Sports, Fitness & Recreation
Signature Programs
Power Hour: Dedicated homework help & tutoring every afternoon
Lexia: Literacy software tailored to each child’s reading level
Math Masters: Hands-on math support that drives real growth
Smart Girls & Passport to Manhood: Character-building, etiquette, and life skills for pre-teens and teens
Garden Club: Kids learn to grow, harvest, and even cook their own fresh food
