The Boys and Girls Club
An Outreach Program for Kids of All Ages
Every Boys and Girls Club offers a safe place to learn, make friends, and grow. The programs and services offered by the clubs give children a sense of competence, belonging, usefulness, and influence.
There are four key characteristics to the Boys and Girls Club:
- Dedicated Youth Facility - There is a neighborhood based building solely for the purpose of youth programs and activities.
- Open Every Day - The clubs are open after school and on weekends. They are available any time children have free time and need a positive and productive outlet.
- Professional Staff - Every club has full-time professional staff trained in youth development. There are also a number of volunteers. All of the staff will provide a positive roll model to the children as well as a mentor.
- Available and Affordable - The clubs are intended for those kids who cannot afford or lack the access to other community programs. The dues are very low, averaging $5 to $10 per year.
Boys and Girls Club Programs
There are a wide variety of programs available. There are programs for character and leadership building, education and career, art, health and life skills, sports, fitness and recreation, and specialized initiatives. Specialized initiatives include working with disabled children, helping teens and families through tough situations, as well as many other outreach programs to help children learn and grow.
There are programs available for younger kids as well as beneficial programs for the older kids. The Triple Play program focuses on healthy habits. It includes healthy habits nutritional curriculum, daily challenges, games, sports clubs, and social recreation. It is made for kids ages 6 to 15.
NetSmartz teaches Internet safety. This program is geared towards children ages 6 to 18 with a different program for different age groups.
Digital Arts Suite teaches kids ages 6 to 18 how to create computer-generated art. There are five programs: Web Tech, Design Tech, Photo Tech, Music Tech and Movie Tech. The older kids can enter their artwork in the annual Digital Arts Festival.
Smart Moves is a program that teaches kids to say "no" to drugs, alcohol, and sex through the use of role-playing and discussion.
Career Launch is a career exploration and mentoring program. It is geared towards teenagers.
A good program that teaches kids about money is called Money Matters. It teaches kids how to manage their money.
There are many other terrific programs offered by the Boys and Girls Club. They are all geared towards giving children a sense of self worth, as well as a place they will look forward to coming to and participating in the wide range of activities available.
Finding a Boys and Girls Club Near You
There is a Boys and Girls Club near you. You can search for the one nearest to you on the official Boys and Girls Club website, or check your local yellow pages.
Millions of people have benefited from being a member of the Boys and Girls Club. Did you know that Denzel Washington, Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt, President Clinton, Martin Sheen, and Neil Diamond all belonged to the Boys and Girls Club? Based on research conducted by Louis Harris & Associates, former club members have strong feelings about their club experience:
- 80% said the club staff helped them learn right from wrong
- 95% said the club was the best thing in their neighborhood
- 52% said that participating in the club "saved my life"
These are some very interesting statistics. Visit your local Boys and Girls Club and see all they have to offer. Learn why they are called "The Positive Place for Kids."
The Boys and Girls Club has been working diligently since its introduction in 1860 to give support to kids and families all over the U.S. and on U.S. military bases throughout the world. It is a top-notch organization dedicated to providing kids with the academic and extracurricular needs that are otherwise not being met. Why not check them out today?
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