The philosophy underlying the Boys & Girls Clubs programming is the Youth Development Strategy. This strategy defines how youth development professionals and volunteers interact with Club members. All programs are designed to maximize opportunities for youth to acquire four basic “senses” which help them build self-esteem and grow into responsible and caring citizens.
The four senses are:
- A Sense of Belonging
Get to know members by name and encourage them to carry and use their membership cards. - A Sense of Usefulness
Assist members with finding opportunities to help out around the Club and in the community. - A Sense of Competence
Assist members in acquiring new skills and be recognized for their success. - A Sense of Influence
Make members aware that they affect those around them and that even the smallest decision or action can help brighten someone’s day.
Programs
Our health & life skills programs develop young peopleās capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.
Triple Play
Triple Play is an exciting fitness, nutrition, and dynamic wellness program that demonstrates how eating right, keeping fit and forming positive relationships add up to a healthy lifestyle. The goal of the Triple Play program is to improve Club membersā knowledge of healthy living; increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in positive relationships.
SMART Moves Skills Mastery And Resistance Training
This nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. SMART Moves features engaging, interactive, small-group activities that increase participantsā peer support, enhance their life skills, build their resiliency and strengthen their leadership skills. This year-round program encourages collaborations among Club staff, youth, parents and representatives from other community organizations.
Healthy Habits
Designed to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club experience, Healthy Habits emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity and improving overall well-being.
SMART Girls
SMART Girls is a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls in three age groups. 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.
Green Thumb Learning Garden
Youth start, grow, nurture an harvest vegetables right here at the Club. The garden produce is incorporated into interactive activities that teach youth how to make and enjoy healthy food choices.
Food Program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally-funded program that provides meal reimbursement for serving nutritious meals and snacks to all children in various programs, including after school programs. Program requirements include menu planning, food preparation, food service sanitation, record keeping and meal pattern requirements. The Club participates in both the CACFP and Summer Food/Service Programs. During the school year, Club members enjoy āsnupperāā a suppersized after school snack. During summer, the Club serves a full lunch and an afternoon snack to Club members. Our free summer lunch program is open to any youth in our community ages 1 to 18.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: Program.Intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider."
* Some programs are not available due to current restrictions.
*Free language assistance, auxiliary aids, and /or accommodations are available upon request. Please contact Kendra Wilson at kwilson@bgcuv.org.
Our educational programs assist youth in becoming more successful in school by offering homework assistance, educational support programming and developing a love for lifetime learning.
Power Hour
Power Hour promotes academic success and helps Club members become more successful in school by providing homework help and tutoring and encouraging members to become self-directed learners. The program develops homework helpers and tutors, and tracks participation by the minute to reward each participantās progress.
Project Learn
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 Clarkās 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 these high-yield learning activities, which include leisure reading, writing activities, discussions with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help, tutoring and games like Scrabble that develop young peopleās cognitive skills. Project Learn also emphasizes parent involvement and collaboration between Club and school professionals as critical factors in creating the best after school learning environment for Club members.
* Some programs are not available due to current restrictions.
Programs in this area empower youth to become responsible, caring citizens, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, develop leadership skills, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and othersā cultural identities.
Member of the Month
Members who exhibit STAR (Service, Teamwork, Attendance and Respect) qualities are recognized with a golden membership card and the honor of Member of the Month. These members are then eligible to be selected for Member of the Year and are honored at our annual Celebrate Kids Dinner & Auction event.
For our members grades 6th through 12th, the Club has a dedicated Teen Center. Our goal is to provide a safe, positive environment for teens often making the choice between hanging out with friends on the streets or hanging out with friends at the Club. In addition to providing teen nights, the programs encourage camaraderie, acceptance, safety and supportive staff.
Be Great By 8th
This program empowers youth with the emotional intelligence, social skills, academic proficiency, and educational momentum to excel in school, home and beyond.
T3: Training Teens for Tomorrow
Targets teen education, internship, and employment that prepares youth with a 21st century skill set. T3 aligns academics with future career pathways, the development of life skills, and leadership opportunities.
Keystone & Torch Clubs
Torch Clubs is a chartered small-group leadership and service club for members who are 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 Club
Keystone Club is the Boys & Girls Clubās most dynamic teen program. It affords teens an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and service experience. Keystone members conduct activities in three areas: academic success, career exploration and community service. Keystone Club participates in projects that may focus on internal Club needs or support worthy community programs.
Volunteer Program
Members who are age 14 or older are encouraged to volunteer at the Club. In order to do so, they must apply and be āofferedā a volunteer position. Teen volunteers help in program areas and with various projects at the Club. Wearing volunteer vests while they are on duty, teen volunteers help in many ways, including assisting staff in program areas, in the Kids CafĆ© and/or with sports events.
* Some programs are not available due to current restrictions.
1. Safe, Positive Environment
We strive to create an environment which promotes both physical and emotional safety and health every day. We institute programs and policies to protect our youth from the internet, bullying, and physical harm. We want Club members to feel safe enough to trust, grow, and be themselves. In addition to providing a safe environment, we provide youth with the tools they need to solve problems in a positive way.
2. Fun
Fun is a requirement at the Club! It is the first item on our staff meeting agenda and the main ingredient in many of our activities. From the Bus Greeter who welcomes each child as they arrive at the Club, to Club Staff that dress up in silly costumes for special occasions, to the staff who take a pie in the face during Day for Kids, fun is what creates memorable experiences and creates a strong sense of belonging for members.
3. Supportive Relationships
Staff members actively cultivate meaningful relationships with youth to ensure that every member feels connected. We offer proper guidance to youth, behave ethically to earn their respect, and build trust in these relationships so youth feel acknowledged and supported. When Club members are dealing with personal difficulties ā big or small ā they know they are not alone. We are here to mentor and assist them.
4. Opportunities & Expectations
The Club creates opportunities for success for its youth.Ā We set clear expectations to promote excellence and ethical behavior. Helping youth achieve academic success is a high priority for Club staff, so we offer the opportunity to get homework help during Power Hour each afternoon. Our Youth of the Year program sets high standards for youth as they compete to earn our highest award. Members of the Month are selected for the strong character and leadership they display at the Club. Club members learn to take pride in the Club and learn quickly to ārespect self, respect others, respect the Club.ā
5. Recognition
Club members are recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the Club every day. Whether itās praise for a job well done, or a congratulations for a Healthy Habits graduation, Club staff make a point to discover the best in each child. Formal recognition programs which showcase young peopleās achievements include Member of the Day, Member of the Month, Youth of the Year, participation in the National Art Exhibit and our annual Celebrate Kids Dinner. All recognition provides positive reinforcement as children grow, mature, and experience success.