Character & Leadership Development
Programs in this Core Program Area empower youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities.
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GOALS FOR GROWTH: Goals for Growth teaches Club members ages 8-12 skills for setting and achieving goals, helps them identify their own strengths and enhances their self-esteem by reinforcing their progress and recognizing their success in realizing their goals. Members set goals in six areas: Club involvement; discovery of new knowledge, skills or pastimes; service to others; school improvement; personal improvement and career awareness.
- YOUTH OF THE MONTH: Senior and Junior members are selected to compete for the monthly recognition award. Youth are selected by staff based on display of Club values, participation, and behavior exemplifying Club teachings. Each month one Junior (8 – 13) and one Senior (14 – 18) are chosen. At the end of the year, all those who were Youths of the Month are invited to participate in the competition to become the Youth of the Year for the Club. All Youth of the Month also attend a free dinner once a year sponsored by Zebs.
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YOUTH OF THE YEAR: Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier youth recognition program for Club members. All members can benefit from participation in this program, which promotes and celebrates service to Club, community and family; academic performance; moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The Youth of the Year program is most effective when used as a year-round tool for fostering young people’s character, personal growth and leadership qualities. Local Clubs recognize members ages 14-18 who were Youths of the Month and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competition. State winners participate in regional competition. Five regional winners each receive an engraved plaque and a $5,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $10,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the
United States. Reader’s Digest Foundation has sponsored the Youth of the Year program for more than 50 years.
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TEEN SUPREME KEYSTONE CLUB: Keystoning is the Boys & Girls Club Movement’s most dynamic teen program. Keystone Clubs are chartered leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 14-18. Keystoners elect officers and implement activities in six areas: service to Club and community, character and leadership development, education and career exploration, unity, free enterprise and social recreation. Taco Bell Foundation sponsors the national Keystone Club program as part of the multi-year TEENSupreme initiative, a strategic partnership between the foundation and BGCA that equips Clubs with the tools and resources to create a positive place for teens as well as for kids. TEENSupreme is a registered trademark of the Taco Bell Foundation.
- TORCH CLUB: Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 11-13. A Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special character development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation. Staples Foundation for Learning, Inc. and Staples, Inc. sponsor the Torch Club program.