For parents

Give your child a place to shine.

Safe spaces where Butterflies and Dragonflies build confidence, find their people, and dream bigger than they thought possible.

Enroll Now
Why BEP

What your child gains here.

Confidence that follows them into the classroom, onto the stage, and through the front door of their first job interview. Friendships with kids from across Suffolk County they’d never otherwise meet. Adults who understand their community, many raised in it, walking alongside them, not lecturing from above.

And experiences. College tours. Performances at a real theater. A garden they planted themselves. A business with their name on it. Washington, D.C. through a bus window at sunrise.

Your child won’t be managed here. They’ll be seen, heard, and guided to shine in their fullest form.

An older girl in a blue project shirt sits on the grass smiling with a younger girl in pink.

This program has helped my children in many ways. I feel the community needs more of this to help the children out in the world.

BEP parent

What to expect

The practical stuff, plainly

When

Evening chapters meet twice a month, 6 to 8pm, October through June. School chapters meet weekly during school. If your child’s school partners with BEP, they may already have access.

Who

Ages 5 to 18. Not every chapter is co-ed — though all BEP activities are. Chapters mix ages on purpose so younger kids find role models and older kids become them. The Shinnecock Chapter is co-ed and exclusively for members of the Shinnecock Nation.

What happens at a meeting

Curriculum built on the Four Pillars, activities, snacks (always snacks), and time with Ambassadors – the trained, background-checked adults who lead each chapter.

What’s expected of your child

Show up regularly, participate, and complete five community givebacks a year such as cleanups, letter-writing to service members, or food drives. Service isn’t extra credit at BEP. It’s the point.

What it costs

School chapters are free. Evening chapters have a $25 yearly enrollment fee and that’s all you’ll ever pay. The full BEP experience is actually worth $477.95 per child per year; our donor community covers the difference. That’s the ripple effect, working for your family.

What’s included

Everything. All Arches programs, field trips, family support services, and the chance to earn the shirt.

Young women sit in a circle of folding chairs in a bright room with Butterfly Effect table branding.
Shirt Hierarchy

Every Shirt Represents Leadership, Growth, and Responsibility

At The Butterfly Effect Project, our shirt colors are more than uniforms – they represent a journey. As youth grow in confidence, leadership, service, and responsibility, they earn opportunities to wear different colors that reflect their role within the organization.

Youth continue growing into adult leadership opportunities as Volunteers and eventually Ambassadors, carrying the mission of BEP into the next generation.

This allows easy identification across the organization.

Young women smile up into a group selfie; one wears a bright blue Butterfly Effect shirt.

Leadership Pathway

Pink Butterflies Every journey begins here. Youth learning about BEP while discovering who they are.
Black Dragonflies The boys of The Butterfly Effect Project, building confidence, leadership, and life skills.
Red Captains Emerging leaders preparing for greater responsibility.
Royal Blue Junior Volunteers Dependable leaders who consistently give back to their community.
Gold / Yellow Head Junior Volunteers The highest youth leadership roles within BEP — selected by their peers. BEP currently has both a boy and a girl serving as Head Junior Volunteers.

Who else wears a shirt

Navy Blue Ambassadors Oversee BEP chapters and ensure every location reflects the mission and standards of the organization.
Purple Volunteers The heart of each chapter, facilitating programming and creating safe, welcoming environments (shirts may also be black).
Burgundy Board members Board members of The Butterfly Effect Project.
Dark Green Garden Club Grow produce, practice environmental stewardship, and promote healthy living.
White Community Supporters Donors, family members, alumni, or friends who purchased a shirt to show their support.

FAQs

Questions parents actually ask

How old does my child need to be?
Ages 5 to 18.
Do you serve boys?
Yes! Our Dragonflies are fully part of the BEP family with the same programs, same trips, same shirt to earn.
What does it cost?
School chapters are free. Evening chapters are $25 a year, total. Every program, trip, and resource is included.
What if we can't make every meeting?
Regular attendance matters – it’s how kids earn their shirt – but life happens. Talk to your chapter’s Ambassador; they’ll work with you.
Can siblings attend together?
Yes, and many do. Plenty of families have Butterflies and Dragonflies at the same chapter.
What about transportation?
Families handle transportation to evening chapters. School chapters meet right at school. If transportation is a barrier, tell us! Solving obstacles is literally our founding mission.
What should my child bring?
Just themselves. Snacks and materials are on us.
Can parents get involved?
Please. Many parents become Ambassadors, volunteers, or event Allies. And 78% of BEP parents end up investing in their own futures too. The ripple catches everyone. Get involved →
Youth and adults squeeze into a tight group huddle hug indoors.

Enroll

Ready to give your child a safe space to dream and succeed?

Choose your chapter below to open enrollment on AfterSchoolHQ, then download and return the four required forms.
What happens next: complete the chapter form, email the finished PDFs to contact@bepgirls.org, and BEP will follow up with confirmation and next steps.
Questions first? Call (631) 591-0759.

Evening chapters meet twice a month, 6–8pm. $25 yearly enrollment fee.

Don’t see your chapter? Call (631) 591-0759 or write contact@bepgirls.org.

Required enrollment forms

Download all four, complete them, and email the finished PDFs to contact@bepgirls.org (or bring them to your chapter).

  • Contacts, Pick Up & Drop Off

    Emergency contacts and who is authorized to drop off and pick up your child.

    Download PDF

  • Liability Waiver

    Release, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement for program participation.

    Download PDF

  • Medical Consent

    Emergency medical consent, medications, allergies, and insurance information.

    Download PDF

  • Photo Release Waiver

    Optional permission to use your child’s photos in BEP materials and outreach.

    Download PDF

Your child’s journey starts here. Want to help another family begin theirs?

For $25 a month as a BEP Ally, you cover another child’s chapter fees for a whole year each month. You just gave your child a place to shine – pay the light forward.

Become an Ally Become a Donor