2009 Programs

The Arts:Creative experiences in photography, ceramics, drawing, painting, dance, fine arts, writing, music and art appreciation. Field trips, exhibits, speakers’ forums and competitions on the local, regional and national levels.

Career Launch:A technology-based career exploration program designed for youth ages 13-18. Activities allow students to take interest surveys, explore careers, identify training or college requirements, seek out financial aid, and play skill-building games. Students participate in mock interviews and learn to prepare resumes and complete job applications.

CLUBService:Partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and AmeriCorps that provides education awards to Club members and alumni, ages 17-24, who serve their Clubs and communities.

Digital Arts Suite: Five programs in technology and the arts develop & advance members’ technology skills, creativity, and critical thinking through projects in web design, graphic design, digital photography, electronic music making and digital movie making.

Diversity:In training exercises, Club professionals examine personal biases and develop strategies for teaching respect for others. A Youth Service Activity Guide fosters a greater appreciation for diversity among younger Club members. Peer training prepares teens to teach their fellow Club members about diversity.

Goals for Graduation:

Club members, ages 8-12, learn academic goal-setting by linking their future aspirations with present actions. This enhances their ability to develop, set and achieve appropriate goals.

Junior Staff:Guides youth toward careers in youth development or human services by nurturing their leadership skills and providing guided, practical experiences in a small-group format.

Keystone Clubs:Encourages leadership and civic involvement among teens. Members provide input and oversight for Clubs' operations, mentor younger members, develop and participate in community service projects, and provide critical leadership.

Money Matters:Promotes financial responsibility among teens by building basic money management skills. Members learn various aspects of financial literacy including checking account management, budgeting, saving, investing, and paying for college.

NetSmartz:A comprehensive internet safety program, produced in conjunction with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, with three, age-appropriate models for youth ages 6-18.

Passport to Manhood:In one of the few nationally proven teen pregnancy programs targeted for young men, youth learn responsibility in relationships, interact with positive male role models, communicate with peers, and participate in team building activities.

Power Hour:Peer and adult mentors lead members in becoming self-directed learners. This homework program helps members complete their school assignments in an atmosphere conducive to diligent work.

Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (RBI):In partnership with the Kansas City Royals, Royals Charities, KCMO Parks and Recreation, and Major League Baseball, the Clubs provide structured coaching, skill development, leadership, and teambuilding activities in an organized baseball and softball league for youth ages 5-18.

Reading is Fundamental (RIF):RIF motivates children to read for pleasure by providing three free colorful, stimulating books to participants during the school year. The program is intended to have a fundamental impact through increased literacy rates among Kansas City’s youth.

Service Learning:The value of giving of oneself for the benefit of others is offered to young people through individual and group activities required of all Club members.

Skill Tech:A program which outlines the basics in computer skills in ten age-appropriate lessons that familiarize youth with basic computer functions, software, and internet use.

Skill Tech II:A program designed to teach advanced, yet practical technology skills to Club members, emphasizing basic computer hardware, networking skills, and basic program languages.

SMART Girls:Adolescent girls are assisted in the development of healthy attitudes and lifestyles as they mature into young women.

SMART Moves:This nationally proven drug, alcohol and teen pregnancy prevention program instructs youth in developing strategies to deal with and resist peer and environmental pressures in age-appropriate sessions.

Street SMART:Participants are enabled to counteract the negative lure of gangs, develop effective conflict resolution and leadership skills, and become "positive peer helpers".

T3 (Teen Tech Teams):Small-group teen leadership clubs who meet regularly to explore technology-related careers and issues, and to plan and implement annual volunteer projects benefiting the Clubs or community through technology.

Torch Clubs:Designed as a ‘Junior Keystone Club,’ this program focuses on community service, education, athletics, fitness and fun for youth ages 11-13.

Triple Play:Members are challenged to become healthy and active by learning new ways to manage stress, maintain healthy fitness levels, and form positive relationships with peers. The comprehensive program addresses members’ minds, bodies and souls.

Youth of the Year:This national Boys & Girls Clubs program promotes and recognizes service that individual members provide in their Club, community, school and family. Local winners compete at the state and regional level, and the national winner is recognized annually by the President of the United States.

YouthNet:A secure online community, open only to Boys & Girls Clubs teen members, where they can collaborate on projects with other Club members globally, participate in interactive programming, and create and direct content.