How Many Youth Organizations Are There in the US?

The US is packed with youth organizations—thousands, scattered from coast to coast. Whether you’re into robotics clubs, scouting, sports teams, or local youth groups, there’s something for pretty much every interest. The big question a lot of folks ask is: How many are there, really?

While nobody’s pinned down a perfect number (because new clubs pop up and old ones fade away all the time), estimates from the Department of Education and groups like the National Collaboration for Youth say the number easily runs into the tens of thousands. Some experts toss out numbers like 50,000 to 60,000 nationwide, counting everything from massive operations like 4-H and the YMCA to tiny after-school programs run in church basements.

Why should any of this matter to you? Simple—these organizations aren’t just for “keeping kids busy.” They help young people build skills, stay safe, make friends, and sometimes even land college scholarships. Plus, if you’re looking for a way to volunteer, learn something new, or just hang out with people your age, knowing where to look really helps.

• Just How Many Youth Organizations Are There?
• What Kinds of Groups Do We Have?
• Why Do Numbers Keep Changing?
• Cool Examples: Big and Small
• How to Get Involved or Start Your Own

Just How Many Youth Organizations Are There?

Trying to count every youth organization across the US is like trying to count blades of grass in a big field. There are national giants, local clubs, and small-town groups—some officially registered and others operating as informal gatherings.

Recent surveys put the ballpark figure at somewhere between 50,000 and 70,000 groups serving people under 25. These numbers come from sources like the National Collaboration for Youth, the Department of Education, and groups that track nonprofit registrations. You’ll find both big-umbrella groups, like 4-H with over 6 million members, and much smaller, niche clubs with only a handful of kids meeting weekly.

The real kicker? These numbers don’t even count school-based clubs, religious youth groups, or community outreach programs that aren’t formally registered as organizations. If you count informal clubs and after-school programs, the total probably jumps even higher. Here’s a quick look at the official numbers from a few major sources:

Don’t forget, each number can be a little fuzzy. Not every group is on an official list, and new ones start up every month. The important thing is there’s an organization for nearly every interest: sports, arts, activism, STEM, you name it.

If you’re looking for a reliable place to start searching for youth organizations in your area, try your city’s Parks and Recreation website, school counselor’s office, or national club finders like the Boys & Girls Clubs locator. These resources usually have up-to-date info and can help you filter by activity, age, or location.

What Kinds of Groups Do We Have?

If you think youth organizations are just about the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, you’re missing a giant chunk of the action. The US is home to a wild variety of youth organizations built around nearly every interest and need. Some focus on hands-on volunteering, others help kids discover science, sports, debate, arts, or just connect with friends. There’s something for everyone.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the types you’ll spot the most:

• National clubs: These are the ones everyone’s heard of, like 4-H, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Scouts. They have chapters all over and big memberships—4-H alone has 6 million members. YMCA serves nearly 9 million kids annually.
• Faith-based groups: These are tied to churches, mosques, or synagogues. Think of youth fellowships or organizations like Awana and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). They mix community, volunteering, and faith-based activities.
• Sports & fitness clubs: From Little League baseball to local swim teams, these groups teach more than just the game. They help kids develop teamwork, leadership, and discipline.
• STEAM groups: This covers Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math clubs. FIRST Robotics, Girls Who Code, and Odyssey of the Mind are just a few. These groups have exploded in the last decade as tech skills became huge.
• Volunteer & leadership orgs: There are groups like Key Club, National Honor Society, and local youth councils that focus on giving back, running projects, and learning how to lead.
• Local grassroots orgs: Picture mentor programs at a neighborhood rec center, LGBTQ+ youth groups, or after-school programs at your community library. Small but mighty, they’re often driven by what that community needs most.

The variety is massive. According to the National Collaboration for Youth, over 40% of American youth join at least one organized group while growing up. These groups can mean the difference between floating along and finding real purpose. The American Youth Policy Forum says,

"Youth organizations aren’t just clubs—they’re launchpads for personal growth and a sense of belonging that’s proven to boost everything from school attendance to mental health."

Sometimes numbers help drive the point home. Here’s a look at some notable organizations and their reach:

So when you hear someone ask about youth organizations, remember—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The variety is what makes it all work. Young people have more options than ever to find a group that fits who they are and what they love.

Why Do Numbers Keep Changing?

The headcount for youth organizations in the US never really sits still. There’s a mix of reasons behind the constant shift. New groups form all the time—think about those start-up robotics teams right after a new high school opens, or fresh chapters of Girls Who Code popping up when a community decides to get on board. At the same time, some organizations close down if funding runs out or if there just aren’t enough volunteers to keep things going.

The economy is a huge driver. If local budgets get cut, after-school programs or small clubs might be the first to go. But when grant money flows or nonprofits get new donations, you’ll see more organizations pop up. Even trends affect things: in the late 2010s, there was a spike in youth-led mental health groups, but some fizzled out when interest shifted elsewhere.

The pandemic also turned everything upside down. According to a 2022 survey from the Afterschool Alliance, about 20% of local after-school providers closed their doors between 2020 and 2022, mostly because of low enrollment or trouble finding staff. On the flip side, tons of virtual clubs started during this time, and some of these still exist today because they’re convenient for teens in rural areas or those with busy schedules.

Another reason the number keeps changing? Some organizations aren’t always easy to count. You’ve got informal groups run by parents, school-based clubs that start and stop each year, and huge nonprofits with branches everywhere. Surveys can miss new or small groups. For anyone trying to find or join a group, it means the best move is to check local listings often or ask around at school or community centers. What’s here today might be gone in a year—or a new one might be right around the corner.

Cool Examples: Big and Small

Let’s get concrete—there are some seriously big players in the youth organizations world, but don’t overlook the smaller local ones either. For starters, you can’t talk about youth groups in the US without mentioning 4-H. With around 6 million members, 4-H reaches kids in nearly every county. Their programs stretch from animal science to coding these days, not just farming anymore.

Then you’ve got the YMCA, which isn’t just about gym workouts. Across about 2,700 Y branches nationwide, they help about 9 million young people stay healthy and learn important life skills every year. That's massive. Similar numbers show up with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts—over 1.7 million Girl Scouts and about 1 million Boy Scouts build skills, explore the outdoors, and work on community projects.

But big numbers aren’t everything. Sometimes the most life-changing experiences come from the smaller, homegrown youth organizations. Maybe it’s your local robotics club that meets at the library, or a youth group that organizes community cleanups. In cities like Chicago and Atlanta, tiny street-level programs have popped up to help kids stay safe and busy after school. Some local groups run only on volunteers and small grants, but they still manage to make a difference for dozens or even hundreds of kids every year.

If you’re looking for specific ideas, check your city’s Parks and Recreation office or the community events board at your library. Local sports leagues, theater troupes, and peer mentoring groups can sometimes be quicker to join and a lot more personal than the national giants.

• Check neighborhood social media groups for announcements about teen meetups and activities.
• Visit city websites—most have a youth programs or volunteer opportunities page.
• Don’t forget schools; many have clubs or start-your-own options you might not know about.

The variety means there’s honestly something out there for almost everyone—sometimes you just have to dig a little to find it where you live.

How to Get Involved or Start Your Own

If you want to join a youth group, you actually have way more choices than you might think. Most schools and community centers have info about local clubs, and national websites like Youth.gov, VolunteerMatch.org, or even your city government page list dozens of groups.

• For something classic, check out the YMCA, 4-H, or Scouts BSA. They all have online tools where you can search by zip code and see real-time openings in your area.
• Sports fans can find leagues for soccer, basketball, and more through organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America or the National Junior Tennis and Learning Network (NJTL).
• If you want to focus on volunteering, AmeriCorps has programs for teens, and DoSomething.org connects young people with causes that match what you care about.
• For newer interests, there are coding clubs (like Girls Who Code or FIRST Robotics), LGBTQ+ youth groups, arts collectives, and more.

Worried you won't fit in? Don’t stress. Groups often welcome newbies and even let you try things out before you commit. Better yet, you don’t always have to pay a fee. Around 60% of youth organizations in the US have free or low-cost membership options, aimed at making these spaces open to everyone.

Can’t find a group that fits? Start your own! That sounds huge, but it's totally doable. Even big deals like Students Demand Action or local makerspaces started with just a handful of friends. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Pick a purpose. What’s the thing nobody else is doing yet? Robotics, social justice, music jamming, esports—anything goes.
2. Find a couple of friends, classmates, or neighbors who are interested too. Most groups start with under ten people.
3. Choose a place to meet (could be a living room, park, or library).
4. Get the word out using group texts, flyers, or social media. Most successful youth organizations get their first 20 members just by word of mouth and Instagram posts.
5. If you want to make your group official, talk to a community center, school counselor, or check Youth.gov for simple guides on registration and funding.

Here’s a quick look at where most young people join their first youth group, based on a 2024 survey by Youth Service America:

So whether you’re after a huge national club or just want something chill with your friends, there’s a youth organization out there—or one waiting for you to kickstart it.