About Us
CLUB HISTORY
Ralph Wilson, SR.
The Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple, Inc. evolved from the Temple Boys Club, organized through the efforts of several Temple citizens in 1965. The original Board of Directors applied to the State of Texas for a corporate charter for the Club and received the charter February 9, 1965. The longtime home of the Ralph Wilson Boys Club facility was built and paid for by Ralph Wilson, Sr. in 1970. In its early years, the Temple Boys Club was affiliated with Boys Clubs of America.
The Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple, Inc. evolved from the Temple Boys Club, organized through the efforts of several Temple citizens in 1965. The original Board of Directors applied to the State of Texas for a corporate charter for the Club and received the charter February 9, 1965. The longtime home of the Ralph Wilson Boys Club facility was built and paid for by Ralph Wilson, Sr. in 1970. In its early years, the Temple Boys Club was affiliated with Boys Clubs of America.
However, in 1977, the Girls Club was added thanks to the hard work and planning of Betty Prescott and a host of Temple area women dedicated to the cause—KIDS. At this time, the Temple Boys Club was “ousted” from Boys Clubs of America for adding a Girls Club. This community group was obviously ahead of their time because today Boys Clubs of America is now Boys & Girls Clubs of America…and the Temple Boys Club became the Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple, Inc.
However, in 1977, the Girls Club was added thanks to the hard work and planning of Betty Prescott and a host of Temple area women dedicated to the cause—KIDS. At this time, the Temple Boys Club was “ousted” from Boys Clubs of America for adding a Girls Club. This community group was obviously ahead of their time because today Boys Clubs of America is now Boys & Girls Clubs of America…and the Temple Boys Club became the Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple, Inc.
Due to the expansion of I-35 through Temple, Ralph Wilson Youth Club vacated its former home at 310 South General Bruce Drive on August 22, 2013 and relocated to Emerson Elementary which served as our interim home through the end of 2015. January 4, 2016 brought about “New Beginnings” as we opened the doors of our new 47,000 square foot state of the art facility ready to serve the youth of Central Texas.
Now, having celebrated several years of occupying our 1515 S. 25th St. location, the Ralph Wilson Youth Club continues to look forward to carrying on the excellent tradition of serving the youth of Central Texas!
The mission of the Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple is to offer an organized and supervised environment which gives boys and girls of Temple and surrounding areas the opportunity to share educational, social, and recreational experiences regardless of race, color, and creed as they develop their capacity to be self sufficient and responsible members of the community.
Today, the youth club has multiple program offerings for local youth including an after-school program, a full-day summer program, and athletics programs which include basketball and girls’ volleyball. At the core of the youth club’s initiative is the desire to position youth to excel in the areas of Academics, Fine Arts, and Athletics. As a result, youth can sharpen their academic prowess in the Study Hall. The Study Hall provides an atmosphere conducive to learning where members can complete homework, or simply have quiet time to read a book. Youth experience stimulating endeavors in the arts and crafts room. A multitude of art mediums and projects are offered within the Fine Arts program. Bumper pool, foosball, pool, air hockey, and ping pong games are some of the traditional youth club experiences youth can enjoy. The youth club is furnished with a movie theatre for all youth.
The clubs video arcade provides a chance to enjoy many of the latest video game offerings. Athletics entails three athletic leagues offered to youth. Two volleyball and one basketball league are offered to the Greater Temple community. Games are played in the youth club’s gymnasium that is comprised of three full length courts for competitive play.
Ralph Wilson Youth Club has a fleet of buses and a van which are used for after school program pick up, and travel to summer field trips. Field trips include ventures to the movies, bowling, zoo, hiking, museums, stadium tours, farms, parks and more!
Our motto is “Ralph Wilson Youth Club—We’re Here For Your Kids!” We have lived up to that motto since 1965.
The after-school program serves roughly 400 children over the course of the school year. The program is affordable and provides service to 19 primary and secondary schools in the Greater Temple area. The program ensures area youth have access to safe and structured programming at the conclusion of each academic day.
The summer program serves roughly 600 children during a time when our youth need access to a diverse array of activities and programs. Ralph Wilson Youth Club ensures parents have an option for structured programming their child Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. for the duration of summer.
The athletic program provides sporting opportunities to over 1,000 local boys and girls. Basketball and volleyball opportunities are offered during seasons which in total span 9 months out of the year. Youth are insured they will have the opportunity to develop a love and passion for both sports through a strong developmental program.