The Club Shines Bright for Lights On Afterschool!

On Thursday, October 23rd, all of our Boys & Girls Club of Clifton sites came together to celebrate Lights On Afterschool by participating in the nationwide Lightbulb Challenge!

October can be a busy month, but we made time to join this special event that shines a spotlight on the importance of afterschool programs. Across America, 7.6 million children are alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs—like ours—help keep kids safe, support working families, and inspire learning, providing opportunities for young people to grow into successful, confident adults. 🌟

Our Club members and staff were proud to show their support and creativity through the #LightbulbChallenge, highlighting the impact of afterschool programs and the bright futures they help build. 💛 #LightsOnAfterschool


Discover Activities & Classes for Your Child at The Club

Looking for a safe, fun, and meaningful way for your child to stay active and engaged this fall? The Club offers a variety of after-school and weekend classes that promote creativity, learning, confidence, and connection — all within a supportive community environment.

Whether your child loves to move, create, cook, or just needs a little academic boost, there’s something for everyone this season.


What’s Being Offered This Fall?

This session’s lineup of classes includes options in creative arts, life skills, fitness, and academic support. Here’s a quick look at the types of programs currently available:

  • Bucket Drumming

  • Latin Dance

  • Jr. Chef Cooking Class

  • Baking Class

  • Parent + Child Cooking Class

  • Martial Arts

  • Homework Help & Academic Enrichment

These programs are designed to support kids across a range of ages and interests — and even include opportunities for parents to participate alongside their children.


Why Choose BGC Clifton Programs?

  • Supervised, structured enrichment in a safe environment

  • Encourages creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence

  • Taught by experienced instructors and supportive staff

  • Great way to try new hobbies or build existing skills

  • Options for all grade levels and interests


Ready to Enroll?

📌 All class registrations must be completed in person at The Club’s front desk.
🧒 Active Club membership is required for participation.

For full class descriptions, dates, times, fees, and age requirements, please visit:
👉 bgcclifton.org/classes-activities

Please note: Some programs have limited space and may fill up quickly. Be sure to review class details carefully — refunds are not available once registered.


First Day of Summer Camp!

Camp Clifton kicked off today with a full day of creativity and games. Kids dove into drawing and coloring, bringing their ideas to life with bright colors and bold designs. There was friendly competition at the foosball and ping pong tables, and some talented players shared their skills on the piano.

The energy was high and the smiles were wide as everyone settled into the rhythm of camp. A big thank you to our staff for making today run smoothly and keeping the fun going all day long.

We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait for the rest of the summer!

Here are some great moments from day one! 🎨🏓🎹


Exploring Futures: Club Kids Attend Hackensack Meridian Career Day

On June 4th, a group of middle and high school Club Kids had the incredible opportunity to participate in Hackensack Meridian Career Day, a special event designed to inspire and educate the next generation of professionals.

Hosted at the Hackensack Meridian Health Center, the day began with a guided tour of the facility, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the many moving parts that keep a major healthcare organization running smoothly. From advanced medical technology to the everyday workings of a busy hospital, the experience was both eye-opening and engaging.

But the highlight of the day was the chance for students to sit down and speak directly with professionals from a wide variety of fields. Club Kids were able to learn firsthand from architects, real estate experts, lawyers, EMTs, special education teachers, and more. These one-on-one and small group conversations gave our young attendees valuable insight into what it takes to succeed in these careers, what a typical day looks like, and how to start planning for the future now.

Of course, no Career Day would be complete without some fun. After an inspiring afternoon of learning and exploring, everyone came together to enjoy pizza and ice cream, a perfect way to wrap up an amazing day.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Hackensack Meridian Health for opening their doors and to all the professionals who took time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge and experiences. Your support makes a lasting impact on our Club Kids and helps spark the dreams that will shape tomorrow’s leaders.

Until next year!


M.S. Fun Nightz at American Dream Mall

On May 23rd, our middle school teens had an unforgettable night at the American Dream Mall as part of our ongoing M.S. Fun Nightz program! From playing laser tag to sharing laughs over pizza, Popeyes, and Wendy’s, it was a fun-filled evening packed with energy, connection, and community.

At The Club, we believe that every young person deserves a safe, supportive space where they can be themselves, build positive relationships, and experience new opportunities. Events like this give our teens a chance to unwind, have fun, and grow socially and emotionally in a positive environment outside the classroom.

These experiences are more than just a night out—they’re part of our mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

A huge thank you to Maxine, our dedicated Teen Coordinator, for organizing the night and always going above and beyond to create meaningful experiences for our youth.

We’re excited to continue offering programs that inspire, support, and uplift our members. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to get involved!


Clifton Seahawks Set New Team Records at 2025 MetersMania Meet

The Clifton Seahawks made a splash at the 2025 MetersMania Meet, held May 17–18 at the Jersey Aquatic Center! It was a weekend full of energy, great swims, and some exciting new team records.

We’re thrilled to give a big shoutout to the following swimmers who broke long course team records during the meet:

  • Julianne Roldan – 50 Freestyle & 50 Backstroke

  • Madilyne Hackett – 50 Freestyle

  • Marcelina Korszen – 100 Backstroke & 400 Individual Medley

  • Alyanna Roldan – 50 Butterfly & 100 Freestyle

  • Daniel Antonyshyn – 100 Backstroke, 200 & 400 Freestyle, and 200 Individual Medley

Each of these swimmers put in the hard work and showed up ready to race. Whether it was a quick sprint or a long medley, they gave it their all—and it paid off in a big way.

At this point, we’re starting to wonder if we should just keep a pencil handy for our record board—because these athletes keep rewriting it! (Not that we’re complaining…)

We’re so proud of the entire Clifton Seahawks team for their effort and teamwork throughout the meet. Great job to all our swimmers, coaches, and families who support them every step of the way.

Go Seahawks!


🏈 Join the 2025 Junior Mustangs Football Season! 🏈

For Ages 7–14 | Season Runs July – November

The 2025 Junior Mustangs Football season registration opens soon! Whether you're a returning player or new to the team, come join us!

📅 Season Dates

July through November 2025
Open to boys and girls ages 7 - 14

📝 Registration Info

Registration Period: May 5 – July 28
Register online through the Parent Portal:
👉 https://parentportal.bgcclifton.org

💰 Fees:

  • Current Members: $200 Activity Fee

  • New Members: $40 Membership Fee + $200 Activity Fee

  • Late Registration (July 28 – August 4): Activity Fee increases to $250

📋 Required Documents (Due by August 4):

To complete registration, the following must be submitted:

  • Copy of birth certificate

  • Recent photo of the participant

  • Proof of school (report card, school schedule, etc.)

  • Proof of address (utility bill, lease, etc.)

  • Current physical exam (must be within the last 12 months)

No registrations will be accepted after August 4

📧 Need Help or Have Questions?

Reach out to us at: jrfootballcjm@gmail.com

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to build skills, teamwork, and community spirit. Go Mustangs!


Clifton Seahawks Championship Success!

The Clifton Seahawks made a splash at the 2025 Boys & Girls Clubs Championship Meet in Florida – and we couldn’t be prouder!

A huge congratulations to Marcelina Korszen and Alyanna Roldan for setting new short course team records! Marcelina broke the record in the 100 Fly, and Alyanna flew to a record in the 50 Fly – an incredible feat at such a competitive meet!

But that’s not all – our swimmers brought home a wave of top finishes across multiple age groups:

🏅 8 & Under

  • Mie Barrientos – 4th Place

  • Denys Synchuk – 4th Place

  • Alistair Jiang – 5th Place

🏅 10 & Under

  • Julianne Roldan – 1st Place

🏅 11/12 Age Group

  • Marcelina Korszen – 1st Place

  • Alyanna Roldan – 2nd Place

  • Santiago Sanchez – 4th Place

  • Madilyne Hackett – 5th Place

  • Olivia Chen – 5th Place

  • Matte Buzariashvili – 5th Place

🏅 13/14 Age Group

  • Markiian Hul – 3rd Place

From record-breaking swims to impressive age group finishes, these young athletes have shown what dedication, teamwork, and a whole lot of heart can do. We are incredibly proud of each swimmer who represented Clifton with excellence, sportsmanship, and pride.

Go Clifton! 💙💪


A Buzz-Worthy Victory at the 2nd Grade Spelling Bee!

On April 11th, our Club was buzzing with excitement as our 2nd graders took the spotlight for the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton’s Spelling Bee!

These young spellers impressed us all with their vocabulary, confidence, and focus. A big round of applause goes to Isabelle, who took home 1st place with an outstanding performance! 🏆

We’re proud of every participant who stepped up and gave it their best. Events like these help build confidence and make learning fun—exactly what The Club is all about.

Way to go, 2nd grade! 💙🐝


And We're Off! Basketball Clinics Day 1

This past Saturday, April 5th, we kicked off our basketball clinics here at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton. The gym was packed with energy as boys and girls ages 8–17 hit the court for the first session. Whether it was their first time picking up a basketball or they’ve been playing for years, everyone brought their best and had a good time.

It was awesome to see so many of our Club Kids having fun, staying active, and supporting each other on and off the court. Check out some photos from Day 1, we’re looking forward to the weeks ahead!