The Clubhouse Network has a rich history extending back to our humble beginnings at the Computer Museum in Boston in 1993. We’ve since expanded across the globe to more than 160 Clubhouses in 20+ countries.
Explore our history below!
1993
The first Computer Clubhouse opens at The Computer Museum (originally independent, and later a part of the Museum of Science, Boston) in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab.
1994
A Girls’ Day program is launched.
1996
Based on growing community interest, the Reebok Foundation provides funding for a second Computer Clubhouse at the Blue Hill Avenue Boys & Girls Club in Boston.
The first non-US community-based Computer Clubhouse opens in Esslingen,
Germany.
The Computer Clubhouse Network is founded to support community-based Clubhouses around the world.
1997
The Computer Clubhouse Network wins the Peter F. Drucker Award for Non-Profit Innovation.
Computer Clubhouses open internationally in Europe and South America.
The Clubhouse-to College/Clubhouse-to-Career (C2C) Program is launched.
1998
The Clubhouse Village is launched, linking Clubhouse Members around the globe in an online community.
2000
Intel becomes title sponsor of the program with a commitment to bring the number of Clubhouses around the world to 100.
The ‘Flagship’ Computer Clubhouse moves to the Museum of Science, Boston.
Adobe Systems, Autodesk, Macromedia, Hewlett-Packard, LEGO Systems, and Haworth Furniture sign on as Network sponsors.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation agrees to sponsor three Computer Clubhouses in the Pacific Northwest, over three years.
2001
Regional workshops are held for all Computer Clubhouses for the first time. By the end of 2001, there are nearly 50 Computer Clubhouses worldwide.
Nominated by Adobe Systems, the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is awarded laureate status by the ComputerWorld Honors Program, in the
category of Education and Academia.
2002
Youth leaders from Clubhouses across the globe gather in Boston for the first Teen Summit, which becomes a biennial event.
The National Science Foundation provides funding to start Hear Our Voices: Girls and Technology programs at 20 Clubhouses.
2003
The Computer Clubhouse celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network expands to 87 locations in 17 different countries, serving over 20,000 youth.
2004
The Intel Foundation begins funding C2C Scholarships for youth.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network hosts its second week-long Teen Summit for 185 youth from 15 different countries.
2005
By the end of 2005, 100 Computer Clubhouses are now located in 20 countries across the globe. A celebration of the 100th Computer Clubhouse is held in Washington, D.C.
2008
Adobe Systems partners with The Clubhouse Network to offer the Adobe Youth Voices ‘Create With Purpose’ program to 25 Computer Clubhouses.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network celebrates 15 years of building pathways to success for over 25,000 youth per year through skill-building,
self-expression, and creativity.
2011
The Clubhouse Village is redesigned to encourage online collaboration between Clubhouses.
Best Buy becomes a Network sponsor and implementation partner for 4 new community locations.
2012
A survey conducted by SRI International (Stanford Research Institute) of over 200 Computer Clubhouse alumni reveals that 97% said the Computer Clubhouse was the most important source of support for setting high goals and expectations for themselves.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network was awarded the Boston Club
Advancement Award for its commitment to community and improving the lives of women and girls.
2013
The Computer Clubhouse celebrates 20 years of empowering youth to become more capable, creative, and confident learners through the use of technology.
Best Buy opens 4 Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, implementing the Clubhouse
learning model and space design in each of the new locations.
In March, United States President Barack Obama visits the Al-Bireh Youth Resource Development Center in Palestine, and meets with Computer Clubhouse staff and youth.
2014
Intel partners with the MIT Media Lab and The Clubhouse Network to create the Intel Making! @ Clubhouses program.
Best Buy opens 4 more Teen Tech Centers, bringing the total to 8 Clubhouses.
The C2C Scholarship Program celebrates 10 years, and 30 Clubhouse members and alums from around the world receive awards.
2015
The Intel Foundation renews its commitment to the Clubhouse program for a 15th consecutive year.
In April, Clubhouse alumni from around the world gather at the first-ever International Clubhouse Alumni Summit in Portland, Oregon.
The U.S. Department of Justice awards The Clubhouse Network a 3-year, $1,000,000 grant to increase mentor participation and impact at Clubhouses around the United States.
Rincónes Clubhouses: The Clubhouse Network’s partnership with the Republic of Panama’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT) begins, introducing Clubhouse ideas and activities in some of the 200+ InfoPlazas community technology centers around the country.
2016
The Clubhouse Network launches its inaugural Global RE@CH Media Festival, the signature platform to showcase youth member media projects, including awards and prizes.
The Clubhouse Network launches its Clubhouse-to-Career Pathways to Success program to help prepare young people for the tech-reliant jobs of the future.
2017
The U.S. Department of Justice awards The Clubhouse Network a 2nd multiyear grant (3 years, $2 million) to strengthen mentor participation around the United States.
2018
The global Clubhouse Network and its Flagship Clubhouse move to Dudley Square in Roxbury, a richly diverse and historic community in the heart of Boston.
The Clubhouse Network celebrates 25 years of global youth impact!
2019
The Clubhouse Network receives the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Nominations and awards are managed under the auspices of the National Science Foundation.
[DoJ logo] 2020
The U.S. Department of Justice awards The Clubhouse Network a 3rd multi-year grant (3 years, $2 million) to strengthen mentor participation around the United States.
Best Buy commits to opening at least 100 Teen Tech Centers (Clubhouses) across the United States.
2021
The Clubhouse sees expansion to 110 Clubhouses!
2022
The Board of Directors completes a 1-year search and hires Lisa Cook as the new Executive Director for The Clubhouse Network.
After more than 20 years since its debut, the Clubhouse Village online community gets an upgrade, enabling members around the world more effectively to connect, collaborate, and be inspired.
2023
The Clubhouse Network celebrates its 30th Anniversary!
The Clubhouse Network partners with Engagez to create an online virtual reality campus called ‘the Ville.’
Meta (previously Facebook) donates 800 virtual reality headsets to Clubhouses for youth members to use.
2024
The Clubhouse Network celebrates its 150th Clubhouse.
The Clubhouse Network holds its biennial Teen Summits around the world during Summer and Autumn, in 10 countries, at 85 Clubhouses, with 416 youth members.
2025
The Clubhouse Network expands from 150 to 164 Clubhouses!
The Clubhouse Network holds its Annual Conference</strong in Phoenix, Arizona for 300 youth development leaders.