
National Programs Local Programs
	YOUTH OF THE YEAR Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier youth recognition program for Club members, promoting service to Club, community and family; academic performance; moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The 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 to 18 as Youth of the Month and select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in a state competition. State winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and participate in regional competitions. Five regional winners each receive a $10,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States.
	TORCH CLUBS Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 11 to 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. The National 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.
	POWER HOUR: MAKING MINUTES COUNT Power Hour: Making Minutes Count provides Club professionals with strategies, activities, resources and information to create an engaging homework help and tutoring program that encourages Club members ages 6 to 12 and 13 to 18 to become self-directed learners. The Power Hour materials provide practical tips and Club best practices for recognition and incentives, behavior management, volunteer recruitment and training, collaboration with other organizations and use of technology and the Internet.
	CAREERLAUNCH® CareerLaunch encourages Club members ages 13 to 18 to assess their skills and interests, explore careers, make sound educational decisions and prepare to join our nation’s work force. Club staff or volunteers use the Career Exploration Quick Reference Guide to work with teens individually or in small groups to build their job-search skills and job readiness. The easy-to-read, pocket-sized CareerLaunch Teen Tips is full of practical job-hunting advice for young people. The CareerLaunch Web site, www.careerlaunch.net, provides Club teens, staff and volunteers with online career exploration, college and job search information and interactive activities. Mentoring, job shadowing and training opportunities round out the program.
	JUNIOR STAFF: CULTIVATING TOMORROW’S CLUB PROFESSIONALS TODAY Junior Staff is a practical, user-friendly small-group program that assists Club members ages 13 to 18 in exploring a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys & Girls Club work. Young people prepare for future roles as human services professionals by participating in career development activities, discovering the importance of community service, building customer service skills and completing a Club apprenticeship. Clubs that implement this program make an investment in the development of Club members’ interpersonal skills, work ethic and sense of community responsibility.
	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 to 12 and 13 to 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.
	TRIPLE PLAY: A GAME PLAN FOR MIND, BODY AND SOUL Triple Play, BGCA’s first comprehensive health and wellness program developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, strives to improve the overall health of Club members ages 6 to 18 by increasing their daily physical activity, teaching them good nutrition and helping them develop healthy relationships. The Mind component encourages young people to eat smart through the Healthy Habits program, which covers the power of choice, calories, vitamins and minerals, the food pyramid and appropriate portion size. The Body component boosts Clubs’ traditional physical activities to a higher level by providing sports and fitness activities for all youth. Body programs include six Daily Fitness Challenges; teen Sports Clubs focused on leadership development, service and careers in athletics; and Triple Play Games, inter-Club sectional tournaments that involve multiple team sports. The Soul component helps build positive relationships and cooperation among young people. The Smart Guide to Social Recreation: Effective Gamesroom Management and Leadership provides strategies, tools and activities for running a top-notch gamesroom and social recreation program.
	YOUTH FOR UNITY Through a comprehensive set of interventions, the Youth for Unity strategy aims to promote and celebrate diversity, and combat and prevent prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. Youth for Unity features age appropriate programming for youth ages 6 to 12, teens and parents; training and resources for Club professionals; and a leadership awards program. The strategy builds the capacity of local Clubs to help their members appreciate themselves as unique and special individuals, understand diversity in society, recognize bias and unfairness, and take personal leadership in confronting bias.