Our Programs

Three Rules of the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area

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Our Programs

	Power HourA comprehensive homework help and tutoring program, POWER HOUR is designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members ages 6 to12.

	Project LearnProject Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through “high-yield” learning activities at the Club and in the home. Based on Dr. Reginald Clark’s research that shows fun, but academically beneficial activities increase academic performance, these activities include leisure reading, writing activities, homework help and games like Scrabble® which develop youth’s cognitive skills. Project Learn emphasizes collaborations between Club staff, parents and school personnel. Formally evaluated by Columbia University , Project Learn has been proven to boost the academic performance of Club members.

	Goals For GraduationGoals for Graduation introduces Club members ages 6 to15 to the concept of academic goal setting. In one-on-one sessions with Club professionals, members set achievable “Know-I-Can” goals, more challenging “Think-I-Can” goals and yearly “Believe-I-Can” goals, then create action plans. The program provides for recognition of members’ achievements at every step of the journey

	Keystone ClubsKeystone is a youth leadership program that shows the teens of today how to be the leaders of tomorrow. Keystone Clubs are designed to help teen members become more productive citizens and leaders. Keystone Clubs consist of an adult advisor and approximately 8-15 young men and women who elect their own officers, and plan and implement their own activities in six core areas: character and leadership, service to club and community, education and career exploration, free enterprise, unity and social recreation.

	Torch ClubThis small-group leadership development program, sponsored by Staples, is targeted to youth ages 11 to 13. Within some 700 Torch Clubs across the country, members elect officers and plan and implement their own activities and community service projects. Each Torch Club receives an official charter from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

	Healthy HabitsDesigned for ages 6 to 15, the program aims to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club experience, Healthy Habits, which is also the “Mind” component of Triple Play: A Game for the Mind, Body and Soul, emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity and improving overall well-being.

	SMART MovesThe SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) prevention/education program addresses problems such as drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity. The program uses a team approach involving Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. More than simply emphasizing a “Say No” message, the program teaches young people ages 6 to15 how to say no by involving them in discussion and role-playing, practicing resistance and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media and peer influence. The ultimate goal: to promote abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual involvement through the practice of responsible behavior.

	SMART GirlsSMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to17. The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.

	CareerLaunchCareerLaunch is a career exploration and mentoring program for teens ages 13-18. This program includes the CareerLaunch Web site that allows teens to take an interest survey, explore careers, identify training or college requirements, seek out financial aid and play skills-building games. There’s also an easy-to-use Career Exploration Quick Reference Guide with a broad range of career planning and job skills activities that Club staff or volunteers can use with teens. The CareerLaunch Portfolio contains a Teen Tips booklet with helpful interviewing and on-the-spot job tips.

	Money Matters, Make it Count:Created with the Charles Schwab Foundation, this financial literacy program was designed specifically to help teens (ages 13 to18) expand their knowledge of money management and learn the skills that lead to financial independence and well-being. The Money Matters: Make It Count program consists of five components: Teen Personal Finance Guide, Program Facilitator’s Guide, Money Matters Web site, Schwab eEmployee Volunteer Program and the Money Matters Awards. Via the volunteer component, Schwab employees can pass financial expertise to Club teens through their volunteer involvement.


ClubTechThrough Club Tech, and thanks to a more than $100 million donation from Microsoft, BGCA is providing Clubs with the tools to make Club members and staff effective technology users. In 2007, long-time supporter Best Buy Children’s Foundation joined forces with BGCA and Microsoft to equip America ’s youth with essential digital literacy skills. Clubs receive a comprehensive package of the latest Microsoft products – a combined $88 million software gift. With another $12.3 million in cash, BGCA has developed technology programs that will give members basic computer skills; introduce them to digital movie making, music making, photography, graphic design and Web development through Digital Arts Suite and Festivals; and guide staff in using technology to enhance all program offerings. Club Tech also includes extensive technology training opportunities for Club staff at all professional levels. These initiatives emphasize community mobilization and family involvement as strategies Clubs can use to better serve more young people and broaden the impact of all Club programs.

	Image MakersFunded by the Circuit City Foundation, this comprehensive photography program encourages girls and boys to learn and practice photography, expressing themselves in creative and innovative ways. The national initiative delivers a state-of-the-art photography curriculum, provides photographic resources and opportunities for Club members to compete on a national level. ImageMakers provides local, regional and national recognition through an annual photography contest. Winning photos will be displayed nationwide at museums as well as at BGCA’s annual National Conference.

	Digital Arts FestivalsThe Digital Arts Suite teaches members ages 6 to 18 how to create computer-generated art. In each of five programs (Web Tech, Design Tech, Photo Tech, Music Tech and Movie Tech), members advance through three levels of animated lessons online (delivered in English or Spanish) and participate in instructor-led group activities. Club members ages 10 to 18 are invited to submit their artwork to the annual Digital Arts Festivals, which celebrate Club members’ creativity in Web design, graphic design, photo illustration, music composition and movie making/screenplay writing. Digital Arts Suite and Festivals are a part of Club Tech, which is a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America, founding partner Microsoft and Best Buy Children’s Foundation.