On April 11th and 12th 175 participants from ten Boys & Girls Clubs organizations throughout WA gathered at Angel Winds Casino and Resort for the inaugural Youth Development Professionals conference, “Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington are Future Ready!” This annual training event was brought back by local Club leaders after a decade-long hiatus to fulfill the training and networking needs of today’s Club staff throughout Washington. Modeled after Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national and regional conferences, the training event presented an in-depth look at best practices, fun ideas, safety enhancements and overall Club management topics requested by leaders and front-line workers throughout our 171 Club footprint. 26 sessions focused on topics like Outcome Driven Club Experience, Building a Teen Leadership Keystone Program, Basics of Management and Hands-On Gym Games.
Club professionals enjoyed some time networking and building cross-organizational relationships. Bowling, “Find Your Person” scavenger hunt, many ice-breakers and delicious meals brought Youth Development Professionals from diverse backgrounds and communities for the benefit of building a world-class Club experience for WA Club kids and teens!
We are very grateful to a multi-Club planning committee, led by Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County’s Chief Operating Officer Marci Volmer, for leading the way in organizing and hosting the first annual YDP Conference. In 2026, the team at Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA will carry on the torch of professional development for Club staff statewide.
