Five Core Programs

Character and Leadership Development

The Character and Leadership Development Program Area empowers youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities.
Notable Programs
Torch Clubs
Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls age 11-13. A Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to plan and implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation. Torch Club Awards are presented annually to Torch Clubs with outstanding programs and activities in the four areas. Each year, Torch Club members from all over the country take part in a service-learning experience through the National Torch Club Project.



Sports, Fitness and Recreation

The Sports, Fitness and Recreation Program Area develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.



Education and Career Development

The Education and Career Development Program Area enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.
Notable Programs
Goals for Graduation
 Goals for Graduation, a Project Learn resource, introduces academic goal setting to Club members age 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. A comprehensive guidance strategy helps members connect their smallest results to their highest dreams. An encouraging recognition strategy buoys members as their successes are recognized and supported at every step of their journey. Goals for Graduation is sponsored by JCPenny Afterschool. Project Learn: The Educational Enhancement Program
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, activites. 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 and tutoring and games like Scrabble that develop young people's 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 ages 6-18. Extensively field-test and formally evaluated by Columbia University with funding from Carnegie Corporation of New York, Project Learn has been proven to boost academic performance of Club members. Project Learn is sponsored by JCPenny Afterschool.
Power Hour
Power Hour helps Club members ages 6-12 be more successful in school by providing homework help and tutoring and encouraging members to become self-directed learners. The program kit includes a manual, a guidebook for homework helpers and tutors and charts for tracking and rewarding participants' progress.
The Ultimate Journey
This internationally recognized, award-winning environmental education program leads Club members ages 6-12 on a fun-filled journey into the beautiful and amazing world of plants and animals. Through participation in games, crafts and discovery-based activities, young people develop on awareness of the environment, acquire math and science skills and learn about conservation of our natural resources.
Job Ready!
Job Ready! Prepares Club members age 14-18 with specific skills to secure employment and be successful in the world of work. Using the comprehensive program materials and assessment tools that Job Ready! Provides, Club staff can tailor the program to meet their members' particular needs. Teen learn how to identify job opportunities, write effective resumes, perform well in interviews, dress appropriately, develop good work habits and get along well with other in the workplace. Job Ready! was developed with funding from Taco Bell Foundation. A special Career Prep initiative funded by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Justice awards grants to Clubs to help teens work toward self-sufficiency and preparation for the world of work using Job Ready!, as well as providing them with professional support before and during employment.
CLUBService
CLUBService provides education awards to Club members and alumni ages 17-24 who serve their Clubs and communities. CLUBService recognizes young people's service, helps them access higher education opportunities and encourages them to pursue future careers as club professionals. CLUBService is made possible through a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps).


The Arts
The Arts Program Areas enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.


Health and Life Skills
The Health and Life Skills Program Area developed 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.