By now 2026 is well underway, but I’ll still take this opportunity to say
Happy New Year! It’s time to set your Club up for bigger wins than ever before. Whether you’re looking to energize programs, strengthen connections, or create unforgettable experiences for youth, the right tools can make all the difference. We’ve rounded up four essential resources to help your Boys & Girls Club thrive in 2026. Let’s get started!
Architect Strong Club Systems with the BLUEprint for Youth Impact
Every Boys & Girls Club is made up of a series of systems that lead to our ultimate goal – a high-quality Club Experience for youth that prepares them for life. From how you onboard new staff, to how you plan programs, to how you allocate budgets across sites, these systems either set staff up for success or cause more difficulty than is needed. Based on research, experience, and by learning from Boys & Girls Club organizations that have achieved those high-quality experiences consistently across their sites, we developed the BLUEprint for Youth Impact, which outlines the systems and practices that drive youth outcomes.
And to support you in improving your organization’s systems, in 2025 we released the BLUEprint for Youth Impact How-To Guides, all of which give specific high-leverage practices in the five domains of the framework and tools to support making improvements through a CQI cycle. We help you figure out where to start, how to prioritize which practices to focus on first, and how to see if your improvements are working. You can find all of the How-to Guides and accompanying resources on BGCA.net.
Get that Big Brain Energy with SMART Moves: Teen Mental Health
Mental health continues to be a top priority for teens and the staff who serve them, and we built on the success of other SMART Moves resources with the new Teen Mental Health guide. This resource will help you create meaningful experiences for teens where they can dive into the topic of mental health in a safe, inclusive environment with supportive adults and peers. Download it now on BGCA.net.
Embed Care into Every Day with the Trauma-Informed Planning Planning Guide
Trauma-Informed Practice continues to be a top priority for Clubs across the Movement. This newly updated resource is designed to guide Club leadership through a trauma-informed improvement journey. Inside you’ll find assessment tools, goal and action planning guidance, a sample training plan, budget, job description, and more, plus stories of Clubs who have been highly successful in this work. Download it at BGCA.net.
Make a Game Plan by Joining Program Huddles
In 2025, program leaders gave our Program Huddle series 4 stars! This year we are making them even better, focusing specifically on what is needed for a great Club day. This series is ideal for site-level leadership and those who manage them. Club staff can register here.
As always, your youth development friends are here to support you with whatever you need this year and beyond. We’d love to hop on a call and learn more about your Club! Book a consultation on a number of topics at bit.ly/BGCAYDConsultations.
What are your Club’s priorities for 2024? How are you focusing on your own personal and professional growth? We want to hear! Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
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