What We Do

Project Learn
Reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school during the hours they spend at the Club. This comprehensive program strategy is based on Dr. Reginald Clark’s research showing that students do much better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, but academically beneficial, activities. Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for youth.

 

Money Matters: Make It Count 

Promotes financial responsibility and independence among Club members ages 13-18 by building their basic money management skills. Participants learn how to manage a checking account, budget, save and invest. They also learn about starting small businesses and paying for college.

 

Goals for Graduation

Introduces academic goal setting to Club members ages 6-15 by linking their future aspirations with concrete actions today. In goal-setting sessions with Club youth development professionals, members set achievable “Know-I-Can” Goals, more challenging “Think-I-Can” Goals, and yearly “Believe-I-Can” goals. Members create an action plan with daily and weekly goals leading to short- and long-term gains. Members will take tours of college campuses, learn basics on building a resume / college application, and attend career fairs.

 

Skill Tech II: A Club Tech Advanced Skills Program
Teaches advanced yet practical technology skills to Club members ages 6 to 18. Using animated, interactive tutorials on courseware developed exclusively for Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as hands-on, instructor-led group activities, the program introduces members to hardware and networking skills and technology-related career opportunities. With guidance, members design, maintain and update “Members” link on Club website.  

CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 

Programs in this area empower youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities.

Torch Clubs
Charter small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 11-13. A Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special character development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation.

 

Keystone Clubs

Keystoning is the Boys & Girls Club Movement’s most dynamic teen program. Keystone Clubs are chartered leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 14-18. Keystoners elect officers and implement activities in six areas: service to Club and community, character and leadership development, education and career exploration, unity, free enterprise and social recreation.  Each year, members develop a National Keystone Service Project, where members learn through interactive work the concepts of service-learning.  (Example:  Earth Day & Beyond Clean-and-Green-up Community)

THE ARTS

Programs in this area enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.  

National Fine Arts Exhibit                                                                                       

Encourages artistic expression for youth ages 6-18 through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sculpture. Art pieces are displayed at local galleries and exhibits. A panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which debuts at BGCA's annual National Conference and is displayed throughout the following year at other BGCA events.

 

ImageMakers

Encourages youth ages 6-18 to learn and practice black-and-white, color, digital and alternative process photography. Youth can use the ImageMakers website to further enhance their photography experiences.

 

Club Tech Digital Arts Suite and Festivals
Suite of self-directed digital arts courseware consists of Web Tech (Web page design), Design Tech (graphic design), Photo Tech (photo illustration) and Music Tech. Movie Tech contains detailed instructor materials for teaching members to write screenplays and facilitating the hands-on process of filming and editing digital movies.

 

MusicMakers   

 Encourages musical expression for youth ages 6-18 through group music lessons, singing and songwriting. Design the program to meet the interests of Club members.

 

Other Art Events include creative writing, multicultural crafts, coloring contests, music mixing, dance, acting and much, much more.

 

HEALTH & LIFESKILLS

Programs in this area develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.

 

SMART Moves  (Skills Mastery And Resistance Training)
This nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, as well as premature sexual activity. SMART Moves features engaging, interactive, small-group activities that increase participants’ peer support, enhance their life skills, build their resiliency and strengthen their leadership skills. The program’s components are: SMART Kids, for ages 6-9; Start SMART, for ages 10-12; Stay SMART, for ages 13-15. 

 

SMART Girls
Small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls ages 8-12 and 13-17. Through dynamic sessions, highly participatory activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities with adult women, Club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships with peers and adults. 

 

Passport to Manhood

Promotes and teaches responsibility in Club boys ages 11-14.  Program consists of 14 highly interactive activities that reinforce positive behavior.

 

Youth For Unity

Educates youth about the importance of tolerance and diversity. 

 

SPORTS, FITNESS AND RECREATION

Programs in this area develop fitness and nutrition, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.

 

Triple Play

A Game Plan for Mind, Body and Soul
Empowering youth to make healthier choices this program takes a holistic approach to educating youth about good nutrition, making physical fitness a daily practice and developing individual strengths and good character. 

 

Healthy Habits is the “Mind” component, which emphasizes eating smart and maintaining physical fitness to improve the overall well-being of Club members. 

 

Physical Fitness is the “Body” component, with daily fitness challenges, tournaments, and inter-Club competitions in multiple team sports for youth. 

 

Social Recreation is the “Soul” component, with gamesroom activities, tournaments, and skill-building techniques to develop good character and social skills.

 

Organized Sports Leagues

Inter-Club and intramural sports leagues.  Basketball leagues for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys or girls who do not play for the public middle school league.