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Character & Leadership

These programs help youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills to participate the democratic process. Program participants also develop leadership skills and gain opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to Club and community and celebrating our national heritage.

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91% of members who attend Clubs regularly say they can stand up for what is right, even if their friends disagree.

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According to BGCA youth outcome data

Character and Leadership Developement Programs

SMART Moves

A nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program that helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use as well as premature sexual activity. The program includes small group activities and special events designed to increase participants' peer support, enhance life-skills, build resiliency and strengthen leadership skills. Staff, parents, and community-wide support are incorporated. 
 

SMART Kids

An extension of SMART Moves for 6 to 9-year-olds, SMART Kids employs a variety of entertaining means to arm young people with the skills and knowledge they need to avoid alcohol and other drug use, and help them in their personal and social growth 
 

Start SMART

A resistance skills program for youth ages 9 to 12 that focuses on ways to identify and resist peer, social and media pressures to use alcohol or other drugs, or become sexually involved. It includes age-appropriate material on puberty and friendships. 
 

SMART Girls

SMART Girls helps young women develop healthy attitudes and lifestyles leading to the development of their full potential. SMART Girls addresses the enhancement of girls' self-esteem, developing life skills, and health risk attitudes/behaviors and nutrition as part of SMART Moves. 
 

Physical fitness

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The Nike Daily Challenge

This series of year-round fitness programs is designed to encourage daily exercise and physical fitness by teaching and testing the athletic skills of club members. Challenges include Jump Rope (October, November, December); Basketball (January, February, March); Michael Jordan Invent-A-Sport (January, February, March); Ken Griffey, Jr. Home Run (July, August, September); and Jackie Joyner-Kersee World Class (January through June). 
 

Group activities

Computer training, arts & crafts, game room activities, and tournaments. 
 

Summer programs

Recreation, swimming lessons, ecology projects and training, gardening, arts & crafts, reading, computer classes, field trips (educational and recreational), fitness and athletics (baseball, basketball, boxing, swimming and martial arts). 
 

Life Skills Training

Life skills are defined as those skills needed for "surviving, living with others, and succeeding in a complex society." Training includes goal setting, problem solving, decision making, communication, dating, relationships with peers and adults, building resistance skills to the use of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs, and conflict resolution. 
 

Torch Clubs, ages 11 to 13

A small-group club program that constructively meets the needs of young adolescents. Under the guidance of an adult advisor, Torch Clubs meet regularly, elect their own officers, and participate in activities they choose. Each Torch club chooses its own name and develops its own motto, allowing members to develop an all-important group identity. Activities focus on club and community service, education, athletics, fitness, and fun. 

 

Broader Horizons

Introduces young people to a wide range of career opportunities by taking them to where the action is -- work sites, businesses, government agencies and colleges, universities and vocational schools. Broader Horizons is part of the TEEN Supreme program, and provides club members with in-depth knowledge of the education and training required to reach their chosen goals. 

 

Computer Education

Helps kids of all ages become computer literate. Emphasizes computer literacy as the cornerstone of employment readiness. Helps level the playing field for kids without computers at home. Kids also access the internet under supervision. 
 

Prevention Services

Special programs targeting youth ages 13-18 at the highest risk of engaging in crime, violence, drug and alcohol use, gang activity, premature sex, and other personal destructive behavior.

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