Programs

OUR CORE PROGRAM AREAS:

The Boys & Girls Club of the Western Treasure Valley provides a wide range of programs and activities that meet the needs of youth of our community. Our five core program areas allow us to engage young people in activities with adults, peers, and family members that enable them to develop self-esteem and to reach their full potential. Based on physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs and interests of girls & boys, and recognizing these principles, the Club offers programs and activities in five areas:

CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

This Core Program Area empowers 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. Examples: Keystone Club, Torch Club, Youth of the Year, Jr. Staff, Community service projects, etc.

EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT:

This Core Area enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to optimize employability. Examples: Power Hour, The Ultimate Journey, one on one tutoring, educational games, motivational reading programs, internet exploration, etc.

HEALTH AND LIFE SKILLS:

This core Program Area develops young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well being, set personal goals and develop competencies to live successfully as self sufficient adults. Examples: SMART Kids, SMART Moves, SMART Girls, Street SMARTS, local health and prevention programs, Passport to Manhood, etc.

THE ARTS:

This Core Program Area enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of visual and tactile arts and crafts, performing arts and creative writing. Examples: Drawing, dance, painting, photography, puppetry, sculpture, storytelling, audio and visual editing, etc.

SPORTS, FITNESS AND RECREATION:

This Core Program Area develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment, and social and interpersonal skills. Examples: Billiards, table tennis, board and table games, fitness programs, jump rope challenge, tournaments, strength and fitness, specialized sports trainings etc.

This nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, as well as premature sexual activity. SMART Moves features engaging, interactive, small-group activities that increase participants’ peer support, enhance their life skills, build their resiliency and strengthen their leadership skills. This year-round program encourages collaborations among Club staff, youth, parents and representatives from other community organizations. The program’s components are: SMART Kids, for ages 6-9; Start SMART, for ages 10-12; Stay SMART, for ages 13-15.

SMART Girls is a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls ages 8-12 and 13-17. Through dynamic sessions, highly participatory activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities with adult women, Club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.

Power Hour: Making Minutes Count 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.

Money Matters promotes financial responsibility and independence among Club members ages 13-18 by building their basic money management skills. Participants learn how to manage a checking account, budget, save and invest. They also learn about starting small businesses and paying for college. Money Matters features three components. The Teen Personal Finance Guide is a fun, attractive booklet containing practical tips and activities to help teens learn the important skills of balancing a checkbook, creating a budget and saving and investing for college and retirement.