What We Offer

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko, after careful and objective community evaluations, has identified a set of priority programs to address the needs of Elko’s Youth.

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 other’s cultural differences.

TEENSupreme KEYSTONE CLUB is the Boys & Girls Club Movement’s most dynamic teen program. Keystone Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 14 - 18. Keystoners elect officers and plan and implement their own activities in six areas: service to Club and community, leadership development, education and career exploration, unity, free enterprise and social recreation. Keystone Club members and their advisors are eligible for nomination to steering committees which organize regional and national TEENSupreme Keystone Conferences attended by thousands of Keystoners each year. TEENSupreme Keystone Club Awards are bestowed annually on Keystone Clubs that undertake programs and activities, which best promote the principles of Keystoning. Each year, Keystoners select a National TEENSupreme Keystone Project for local Keystone Clubs to complete. The combined action of hundreds of local Keystone Clubs results in a service project with a national scope.

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 needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to plan and implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation. 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.

Programs in this Core Program Area enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations, and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.

PROJECT LEARN reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school during the hours they spend at the Club. The program is based on Dr. Reginald Clark’s research showing that students do much better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in "fun," but academically beneficial activities. Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for these "high-yield learning activities," which include leisure reading, writing activities, discussions with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help and tutoring and games like Scrabble that develop young people’s cognitive skills. Project Learn also emphasizes parent involvement and collaboration between Club staff and school personnel as critical factors in creating the best after-school learning environment for Club members.

POWER HOUR 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. A guidebook for homework helpers and tutors provides immediate guidance and the latest teaching techniques to volunteers.

JUNIOR STAFF Career Development is a comprehensive small group program that assists members ages 11-18 in exploring a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys & Girls Club work. Through hands-on experiences with helping others in the Club and community, field trips to other service organizations and one-on-one guidance from Club staff, youth prepare for a possible future role as a human services professional or volunteer leader in their community.

Programs in this area develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.

SMART MOVES (Skills Mastery And Resistance Training) is 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 features engaging, interactive small group activities designed to 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 include: SMART Kids, for children ages 6-9; Start SMART, for youth ages 10-12; Stay SMART, for youth ages 13-15; and SMART Parents, for parents of Club members participating in SMART Moves.

Programs in this area enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.

This program introduces members to the masters of the Italian Renaissance through the exploration of their works by “unmasking the talent of the turtles” and using canvas, acrylics, pastels, pencil, and charcoal.

Members learn to recycle common household materials made of glass, plastic, aluminum, and paper products that are usually disposed into truly fine arts pieces.

Members discover the differences and similarities that exist among the major ethnic groups represented in the community through the exploration of masks and their roles in the history of each culture.

This program introduces members to ancient art forms by using natural elements, grasses, rocks, bark, mud, and natural paints to create fine art projects.

This is the grand finale of the fine arts program. After our local and regional fine arts exhibits, the Boys & Girls Club of Elko sends all completed projects to our national office in Atlanta, Georgia. Once in Atlanta, a panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which debuts at B&GCA’s annual National Conference and is displayed throughout the ensuing year at other B&GCA events.

This program encourages girls and boys ages 6-18 to learn and practice black and white and color process photography and express themselves in creative and unusual ways. The photography contest provides local recognition and national awards. Selected photographs are exhibited at the B&GCA National Conference and at Youth Development Conferences.

Programs in this area develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills. It includes but is not limited to Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Dodge Ball, Aerobics, Kickball, Table Soccer, billiards, interactive table games, model club, many other activities that develop children during “free times.”

These initiatives and programs focus on meeting significant, specific needs that have been identified within the Boys & Girls Club Movement. Because their scope is broad, they relate to or complement several or all of the five Core Program Areas.

TARGETED OUTREACH is a community-based program where the Boys & Girls Club of Elko and our community partners to keep young people ages 6-18 from becoming involved in gangs. The program’s intervention component helps youth who are already involved with gangs to leave that lifestyle. The program uses community mobilization, recruitment strategies, effective programming and case management tools to direct young people to positive alternatives.

The outcomes summarized below describe our expectations and goals for young people in our Club. Youth who enter the world with the capacities described here can become responsible citizens and leaders who are able to support themselves and live successful lives.

Positive Self-Identity

Youth have a healthy self-concept, a strong belief in their own self-worth and a sense of hope about their future. They are adept at setting and attaining goals; confidently making the necessary decisions to achieve their life plans.

Competencies

Youth have the knowledge, skills, strategies and attitudes necessary to have a positive foundation for success. Youth become competent by mastering tasks, demonstrating to them that they can do things well. They develop competence in the following areas:

Educational: Youth are proficient in basic educational disciplines and have the capacity to utilize technology. Having graduated from high school, they are motivated to pursue learning opportunities throughout their lives.

Employment: Youth have the skills and attributes to be successful in the work force. They are motivated to constantly develop new skills and hone existing skills to maintain a competitive edge.

Social: Youth are able to develop and sustain positive relationships with others.

Emotional: Youth are able to recognize, reflect on and appropriately express their emotions, manage stress and cope with positive and adverse situations.

Cultural: Youth have an understanding and respect for their own cultural identity and for the cultures of others; they are able to contribute in a multicultural society and demonstrate tolerance for differences among people.

Community and Civic Involvement

Youth have a sense of belonging to their community, family and/or group and are willing to take civic responsibility. They work closely with others to contribute to the greater good.

Health and Well-Being

Youth live healthy lifestyles, take part in regular fitness activities, are able to access health care resources and engage in positive behaviors. They use sound judgment about personal safety, nutrition and avoidance of alcohol, drugs and premature sexual activity.

Moral Compass

Youth have values enabling them to develop positive relationships with others. These values include honesty, a sense of justice and fairness, respect, caring and spirituality.

Our challenge in the Boys & Girls Club Movement is to engage youth in activities that are fun and enjoyable while supporting development of the capacities described above. This is accomplished through Club programs and in discussions between staff and Club members. Clubs cannot achieve without caring, capable staff that forge relationships with young people and influence their ability to succeed in life.