SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Boys Club of Sioux City will begin accepting girls as members after nearly 50 years of having after-school programs and other activities for boys. Sioux City Journal reports that the local chapter’s board of directors approved the change earlier this month. Girls will be able to join with the start of the summer program June 6.

The local agency will be called the Boys and Girls Clubs of Siouxland to reflect its expanded mission. Local officials say the change more closely aligns the agency with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, its national organization. Staff member Eldon Benson says that out of the more than 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs across the nation, the Sioux City chapter was one of four that only accepted boys.