Baker Youth Clubs received its charter as a Boys' Club on Nov. 12, 1926.

Seventy-three years later, while the club has dropped its affiliation with the National Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America due to philosophical differences and has a new logo, it still maintains many of its traditions while incorporating new ones.

Baker Youth Clubs originated with Bramwell Baker in 1926. Born in Boston, Mass., he grew up in Warsaw and persuaded a number of community citizens to organize a boys' club in Warsaw. Baker offered $1,000 per year, providing the balance of the funds was matched by the community.

Pete Thorn became the club's first of only three executive directors, serving from 1926 to 1963. In 1963, Robert Lichtenwalter became the second director and served for 29 years.

Scott Wiley, the current director, began in 1992. He said he'll have to remain director until 2030 to beat Thorn's record.

The club has changed locations more than it has changed directors.

The first club was above the old Sharp's Hardware store south of the courthouse. In 1936, the club moved to the high school on West Main Street (the current Retired Tigers retirement home). In 1976, Baker Boys' Club and Warsaw Girls' Club moved to the old Armory on East Main Street. Finally, in 1980, the club moved to its present location at 800 N. Park Ave.

"This is like our headquarters," Wiley said. "A few years ago, we started our satellite programs, which have really taken off."

Because transportation prohibits children in outlying areas from attending the headquarters in Warsaw, the Club decided to take activities to them via the satellite clubs. The satellite clubs operate in the area's local elementary schools during the school year. In the last few years, clubs have been introduced in Warsaw, Claypool, Silver Lake, Leesburg, Pierceton, Atwood and North Webster. Four new clubs are hoped to be open soon in Milford and Mentone.

One night per week is open for girls and one night for boys. At Pierceton Elementary alone, on the first night of the satellite club, Wiley said, 96 kids attended.

"Each one of our clubs is different," he said.

It was during the late '30s and early '40s that a girls' club was organized. In 1971, Baker Boys' Club founded the Warsaw Girls' Club (the same year Baker Boys' Club became a United Way agency).

Though the organization has changed in many ways over the years, Wiley said, they try to keep the traditional activities, too.

"Basically, if something isn't broke, why fix it?" he said.

Keeping with tradition, the club prohibits kids from swearing. If they do once, they get a warning. The second time, they have to leave. Gentlemen are also not allowed to wear a hat once inside the building.

But some changes are worthwhile.

Recently, Baker Youth Clubs began working closely with Warsaw's Youth Outreach organization to introduce new programs to Baker Youth Club members. A 20-year-old ministry, Youth Outreach was founded by Jerry and Kathy Landrum. They specialize in Christian youth ministries.

Baker Youth Clubs also will become a partner with Warsaw's Upward Basketball program this year.

"That should be huge and exciting for us," Wiley said.

Upward Basketball is a national nonprofit organization that stresses basketball excellence but emphasizes the child as being more important than the game.

Upward Basketball and Youth Outreach, Wiley said, share some of the same goals and ideas as Baker Youth Clubs.

"Our motto," said Wiley, "is, 'an experience that lasts a lifetime.' I know my fondest memory was always the club." He said if a person doesn't grow up in the area, they tend to think the club is just an open gym. But, he said, Baker Youth Clubs help kids grow mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. While youths are playing basketball, air hockey or table tennis, they really open up, he said.

In the future, Wiley said, "Where we see it going is trying to save more and more kids."

The clubs are open to children who are 5 years old and in kindergarten to just about any age.

"My dad," Wiley said, "comes down and plays with the kids and he's 80."

Wiley said just because the club is free to members, it doesn't mean that they do not have a huge burden of expenses. With operations and staffing of 16 clubs throughout Kosciusko County, there is rent, insurance, equipment, supplies, transportation and up to 30 staff member salaries and benefits (Wiley is the only paid full-time employee). Donations are welcome.

Wiley said half of their annual budget comes from the United Way but they rely for the rest through private donations. The Clubs are not part of any school or government and is always free to kids.

So what keeps the children coming back?

"That's one of the reasons we've been successful - we let the kids come and have fun," Wiley said. He said the clubs are not very structured. Boys and girls are served in separate clubs because the organization feels the kids can open up more when they are not trying to impress members of the opposite sex.

Total attendance a year (including the different programs and satellite clubs) is more than 8,000. Annual membership is between 500 to 700. [[In-content Ad]]