Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito CEO Marineke Vandervort outlines activities at local clubhouses
St. Peter’s was having an event at their Parish Hall, our usual venue, so the Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) of San Dieguito Harper Branch kindly hosted our meeting on their shaded rooftop deck. Marineke Vandervort, BGC of San Dieguito CEO, gave a brief overview of all the activities that the clubs offer. BGC of San Dieguito has 7 clubhouses and over 6,500 registered members. In 2016 BGC San Dieguito impacted nearly 11,000 youth in San Diego’s north county. Among its many activities, the BGC of San Dieguito offers after school programs, tutoring, and summer camps. The Harper branch in Solana Beach is home to the Pardee Aquatics Center, which, in addition to providing swim lessons for thousands of kids, hosts the San Dieguito Swim Team and San Diego Shores Water Polo. Times for lap swimming are also available.
Marineke got her start with the BGC when, at 15, she began as a swim instructor at the Aquatics Center. After serving as Human Resources Director for BGC of San Dieguito for nearly a decade, she was elected CEO in January 2016. Marineke earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, where she held a swimming scholarship.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar donates regularly to the BGC of San Dieguito and several of our members also have active involvement: Past President Eric Nelte is President of its foundation, while Marty Peters and Monty Woolley serve on the Board of Directors and Chairman’s Council, respectively. Member Blake Johnson is Development Director for BGC of San Dieguito, and new member Laura Williamson supervises after school programs at the Allred Clubhouse in Carmel Valley.