Former Club Kid- Tyler Bennigsdorf

Former Club Kid/Club’s Future

Today’s interviewee, Tyler Bennigsdorf, and I go way back. Not only were we Club kids at the same time, we also lived just a couple streets apart growing up and hung out after school. The funny thing is I had no idea then, in my Club days, he would eventually become part of my family too! Tyler is cousins with my wife Amy. So Club continues to be a family affair for the Taylor clan.

Tyler attended the Club in 2000-2002 when he was in 6^th and 7^th grade. At that time, the Club, still in its infancy, was located at the old Columbine Middle School and then Centennial Junior High School. It was held in one room in either the cafeteria or the library. He remembers some of the fun times he had at Club including going to the movies, bowling, and swimming. He noted it was a great, protective atmosphere to make friends and stated it had a positive impact on his childhood.

Tyler recently got his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Colorado Mesa University and is teaching social studies at Adam’s City Middle School in Arvada, CO. In his spare time he likes to spend time outdoors with his family and travel. Tyler also recently got engaged!

If Tyler had some words of wisdom for the Club kids of the future he said this: “Shine bright. The world is yours. Have fun and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Anything is possible!”

It was fun to interview Tyler and think about us as young kids. Thank you Tyler for letting me pick your brain!

It is hard to imagine at one point Club only had one unit and was contained to one room. At present, for the Montrose Unit, the Club has a two-year waiting list. The Club had over 600 children registered last year with the ability to serve 240 kids per day between the Montrose and Olathe Units. In order to accommodate the increased number of children wanting to attend Club, the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors has determined the Club needs to build its own permanent facility in Montrose. A capital campaign for this will launch soon with additional details to follow. The Club is excited to start this next chapter in its 20 year saga!

Bud Taylor is the Executive Director for the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) and had been for the past two years. Prior to that, he was a BCBGC kid, junior staff member, and board director. Feel free to contact Bud Taylor by e-mail at btaylor@bcbgc.org or visit the Club’s website for more information, www.bcbgc.org.