Academic Success

POWER HOUR:

A positive academic environment has been created to help members succeed in school. Staff works closely with youngsters to encourage them to complete daily homework assignments, receive tutoring help and participate in other education-enhancing activities. The special POWER HOUR program is designed to raise academic proficiency of members ages 6 to 12.

PROJECT LEARN:

This strategy is based on research demonstrating 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 (such as Scrabble), that develop young people’s cognitive skills.

Character and Leadership Development

Empowers 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.

The Keystone Club (ages 14-18)

The Keystone Club is a small group that meets weekly and conducts at least one activity per year in each of six core areas: service to Club and community, leadership skills development, education and career exploration, unity, free enterprise and social recreation. Members receive training and opportunities for helping others with decision-making, schoolwork and personal issues. Members also participate in quarterly community beautification projects such as neighbourhood and park clean-ups and landscaping.

Torch Club (Ages 11-13)

This chartered small-group leadership skills development program for youngsters focuses on Club and community service, education, athletics and fun.

Youth of the Year

Service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life are promoted and recognized in this year-round program.Participation culminates in the Youth of the Year local competition. Local winners
compete at the state level and may advance to the national finals.

Education and Career Development-

Enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to achieve success in a career. Career Launch-BGCA’s premier job-readiness and career-preparation program offers a variety of activities to hone teens’ decision-making, problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities — important skills for workplace success. Youth get the chance to explore various careers based on their interests and talents, determine the corresponding educational path they need to pursue, and map out a plan for their future Money Matters 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.

Health and Life Skills-

Develops the capacity to engage in positive behavior that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. SMART Girls Young women are provided with information about health, fitness and self-esteem issues in order to encourage the attitudes and lifestyles that will enable them to develop their full potential.
(*SMART – Skills Mastery and Resistance Training)

Passport to Manhood-

Passport to Manhood represents a targeted effort to engage young boys in discussions and activities that reinforce character,
leadership and positive behavior. Each participant receives a “passport” to
underscore the notion that he is on a personal journey of maturation and growth.

Triple Play-

Boys & Girls Clubs challenge members to become healthy and active by learning new ways to eat nutritionally, manage stress, maintain physical fitness and form positive relationships with peers. This component boosts Clubs’ physical activities to a higher level by providing sports and fitness programs, activities and sports competitions for all boys and girls, whether they are athletically inclined or not. Club youth of every age have the chance to have fun playing longer and harder at a variety of games