June is here and it’s time to celebrate! In the United States, June became the month to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. 2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the uprising that played a pivotal role in human rights progression within the United... Continue Reading →
The Music & Youth Initiative, which partners with Clubs around the country to help start and maintain music programming, has released an updated FREE summer activity guide for 2019. For more information about Music & Youth Initiative and last year's activity guide, click HERE! School’s out for SUMMER! Through their partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs across... Continue Reading →
It'a Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month! In case you missed it, earlier this month we took a look at the history of this observance, ways you can celebrate at your Club, and we were introduced to LaCresha McManus and her journey within the Movement as a woman of Samoan heritage. Read that post here! LaCresha was... Continue Reading →
Recently, through the BGCA Education Learning Community, we were introduced to Kelley Smith, Program Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Fauquier in Warrenton, Virginia. We were immediately struck by her enthusiasm for coding! We were curious to learn about how she’s been able to successfully establish a coding program at her Club (especially… Continue Reading →
Our very own resident librarian and newest member of the Youth Trends team, Shannon Lake, is here to deliver the BEST tips to encourage summer reading including a free download from the BGCA's Power Hour Resource Guide! Summer is almost here and it’s time for you and your members to take a trip! No passport,... Continue Reading →
Did you know that it’s Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month? Get ready for a culturally rich ride in our two-part blog series! First up, we will explore the history behind the celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage month, how Clubs can incorporate recognition of the month into their Club day, and we will hear from one of... Continue Reading →
It's graduation season! Read on for tips to prevent summer melt plus a FREE download from the new Diplomas to Degrees program guide! This week I got three graduation announcements in the mail from some special teens in my life! Yep, it’s graduation season and soon we’ll see a flood of cap and gown pictures... Continue Reading →
This week the ClubX Blog and the Youth Trends team are marking Child Abuse Prevention Month with a focus on the prevention of Child Sex Trafficking. If a child you know is in need of support, call the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to speak with a trained professional advocate at any time.... Continue Reading →
We are excited to have Rachel Smith, official Money Matters Guru here at BGCA, here on the ClubX Blog for the first time! Read on for a fun activity you can adapt for all ages for Financial Literacy Month! Money! That word can cause emotions of joy, excitement, or even worry. Here at BGCA we... Continue Reading →
Next week is BGCA's 113th National Conference! Club staff from across the world (shout-out to Youth Centers on military installations!) will be gathering together to celebrate our accomplishments, learn all about the newest initiatives, and network with one another. One of the absolute best parts of National Conference are the INCREDIBLE youth performers that wow... Continue Reading →
It's SIGNING SEASON Y'ALL! Read on as we welcome first-time ClubX Blog contributor Stacy Ruff for ideas to celebrate your graduating seniors making decisions about their next steps. As graduating seniors get ready to step into the realities of “adulting”, one of the biggest decisions they start off with is “where do I go from... Continue Reading →
Ah, mothers. Such selfless beings! They give us life, take care of our boo-boos, dress us for school, read us bedtime stories, and make sure we eat something green every now and then. When’s the last time you thanked your mother for all she’s done for you? No, this isn’t a post about Mother’s Day.... Continue Reading →
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, a time to promote education about the condition and inclusion of those affected. According to the CDC, 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the prevalence is growing. But while many people have heard the term “autism”, they may not fully know what... Continue Reading →
This is no April Fool’s Day Joke! This year, the College of Physicians is kicking off Teen Health Week, taking place April 1-7, 2019. This week is all about encouraging teens to take charge of their physical and mental health, and to facilitate healthy habits that will carry throughout their lives. It is the perfect opportunity to host... Continue Reading →
Do you want to connect with other Smart Girls Advisors? Interested in becoming a Smart Girls Advisor? Find out how at the end of this post! As Women’s History Month comes to an end, we’re thinking about all the ways Club staff empower young girls to become strong women in the future. SMART Girls is... Continue Reading →
On February 11th, in honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we issued a challenge – a great, big, STEM Challenge! In line with this year’s theme of Inclusive Green Growth, we asked Clubs to create a car powered by renewable energy. There were no limitations to size, shape, color, or number... Continue Reading →
Arts Advocacy Day is a day when Arts advocates from across the country meet with their Members of Congress to garner support for the Arts. This day is used as an opportunity to share how the Arts are impacting our lives and the lives of the young people we serve. While today is Arts Advocacy... Continue Reading →
Are your youth talking about a viral challenge or a new online urban legend? Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Youth Trends team is here to help! Find a printable one-page version of this content at the end of the post. What are Viral Challenges? With the rise of social media it can seem like... Continue Reading →
Today's post is from Catherine Vowell, a member of our FAVORITE Planning & Measurement team here at BGCA. Have you started administering NYOI yet????? Do your members know why their Club is participating in the National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) survey? If they don’t – it could be impacting your results. The same holds true... Continue Reading →
We are celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on the ClubX Blog! Be sure to read Part 1 of this series for information on the BGCA STEM Challenge. Get those prizes! STEM can be intimidating for adults, let alone young girls. But when it’s presented in an approachable way, it’s much... Continue Reading →
Read on to learn more about the STEM challenge and how your Club can win amazing prizes PLUS be featured right here on the ClubX Blog! Check out Part 2 of this series for books and movies that prominently feature women in STEM roles. When you hear the word “scientist,” there’s a certain image that... Continue Reading →
Today's post is Part 2 of our special series for National Girls & Women in Sports Day! Be sure to check out Part 1 for more tips on getting girls involved in sports at your Club, plus information on how to get supplies to start a girls flag football league. Did you know that less... Continue Reading →
This week we are celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day on the ClubX Blog! Today's post is written by BGCA Youth Trends Intern Sam Williams. Click here for Part 2! The Super Bowl may have just passed, but there’s another important sports event on the horizon… On February 6, 2019, join BGCA in... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post is from Clarke Hill, Director of Quality Improvement at BGCA. They are known around the office as the KOALAS! 🙂 You might have heard of Continuous Quality Improvement or CQI. Maybe your Club is participating in a CQI process such as the Weikart Center’s Youth Program Quality Intervention, or maybe this the... Continue Reading →
Today's post is from one of the newest members of the Youth Development team, Lesa Sexton! I dislike poetry vehemently adamantly Even when recited delightfully expressively dramatically It makes me feel fidgety consistently grumpily I would rather watch water drip, slowly rhythmically naturally Than subject my thoughts to such tedious verbosity yea really sincerely Source... Continue Reading →
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspire your Club members to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s teachings into community action. Join us on January 21, 2019 as we celebrate one man's dream to make the world a better place. This is a great time to engage in youth-led service projects that bring... Continue Reading →
Today's link roundup comes from Rebecca Brown, Director of Arts Programs at BGCA. You'll be seeing her on the ClubX Blog often! It’s that time of year again, time to give thanks for our family and friends, and to show those we care about our appreciation and gratitude. Oh and also . . . presents!... Continue Reading →
The ClubX Blog is celebrating Native Heritage Month all November long! For today’s post, I chatted with Adam Ortiz, Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse Director at Boys & Girls Club of Tuscon, about the importance of cultural programming and an exciting partnership that brought the latest technology to their members. The first question is always the same-... Continue Reading →
BGCA has sunset the Year of the Teen Director’s App to consolidate practices, tips, and all other content in the YD Toolbox app and here on the Club Experience Blog. We will be featuring some of the articles that appeared in the app here (with updates!), as well as content just for staff who work... Continue Reading →
One of the building blocks of the Five Key Elements is Recognition. At Clubs and Youth Centers, we use authentic gestures and encouragement to positively reinforce the good decisions, efforts, and successes of our youth. Recently, I learned about a great recognition idea from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, so I chatted... Continue Reading →
Through my friendship with the Music & Youth Initiative, I learned about an incredible skill-building incentive system developed by Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston staff member Anders Olson. Read on to learn more about how he uses guitar picks to encourage youth and get a FREE download of his plan! We always start with... Continue Reading →
BGCA's Youth Trends team is at it again with this mashup of information for October's National Bullying Prevention Month AND Cybersafety Month. We know young people spend A LOT on time online and on social media. Approximately 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are online ‘almost constantly’. YouTube, Instagram,... Continue Reading →
October 11, 2018 is the 30th anniversary of National Coming Out Day. To mark the day, we are featuring an excerpt from BGCA's Serving LGBTQ Youth Toolkit here on the ClubX Blog. For the full toolkit and other resources, visit BGCA.net. Coming out is when any person reveals an aspect of their identity to another... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post is from Susan Ciavolino, Director of Youth Development Programs here at BGCA. Read on for 4!!! Club approved chemistry activity plans! The holidays are coming! Which is your favorite? Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah? Well, there’s another good one coming soon. National Chemistry Week is October 21-27!! Granted, it’s probably not the holiday... Continue Reading →
This post is from Rachel Greene-Wilber on BGCA's Youth Trends team. Be sure to check out their other posts for more culturally responsive content. The issue of sexual assault has been center stage in the news and social media, which means it's also on the minds and in the conversations of teens across the country.... Continue Reading →
BGCA is sunsetting the Year of the Teen Director's App to consolidate practices, tips, and all other content in the YD Toolbox app and here on the Club Experience Blog. We will be featuring some of the articles that appeared in the app here (with updates!), as well as content just for staff who work... Continue Reading →
In the upcoming Netflix film “Nappily Ever After” the main character goes through “The Big-Chop” by cutting off her hair, sending her on a journey of discovery about what it means to feel professional, confident, beautiful and loved – and how the appearance of her hair affects all those things. BGCA staff Tanisha Grimes and... Continue Reading →
This week the ClubX Blog and the Youth Trends team are marking National Suicide Prevention Week. Be sure to check out the accompanying Club Story for more guidance. If you or someone you know is in need of support, seek help immediately. You can call the free, confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)... Continue Reading →
September 9-15, 2018 is National Suicide Prevention Week. On the ClubX Blog, we will be providing resources and encouragement for all those who work with youth. Today's Club Story comes from Stacey Braund Busby, Social and Emotional Wellness Initiative Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. If you or someone you know... Continue Reading →
Today's post is from Rachel Greene-Wilber of the Youth Trends team here at BGCA. As Boys & Girls Clubs, we strive to promote inclusive environments. This week, we are highlighting how establishing community partnerships can advance that goal and improve the experience of our Club members. The Komatke Boys & Girls Club, located in the... Continue Reading →
Today's Club Story comes from Tiffanie Panagakos at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. When I found out she ran a Newspaper Club, I HAD to learn more. Turns out she is doing all kinds of amazing things in Maine, so this won't be the last time you hear from her! First, can you... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post is from the staff team at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley's Little Chute Elementary Unit. They hosted a data reveal party when this year's NYOI data was released, and it was a blast! We will hear from two perspectives in this first-of-a-kind post, first from a staff member and... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post comes from Juanita Gonzales of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama. (And the second Alabama post in a row!) She is famous for going ALL OUT with Club celebrations, and let me just tell you, talking to her the best! Her joy is infectious! Read on to learn more about her... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post is from Gavin Gill, Director of Operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama. He has seen a lot of change while working with Clubs, and is passionate about helping staff manage it well! As Directors or Managers of Boys & Girls Clubs, we know change is going to happen. There... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post is one of a two-part series for the 2018 National Keystone Conference. For the other post, click here! Hi, my name is Vanesa and I am part of this year’s Keystone Conference Steering Committee. It is time for the 51st Keystone Conference. This year’s conference is going to be epic and one... Continue Reading →
Today's guest post is one of a two-part series for the 2018 National Keystone Conference. For the other post, written by a member of the Keystone Conference Steering Committee, click here! Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate... Continue Reading →
Today's post comes from BGCA's Youth Program Design & Trends Team. June is for warm weather, summer Club activities and LGBTQ Pride Month! In celebrating Pride Month, we are thrilled to partner with GLSEN in supporting the 16% of Club teens who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, or Questioning (LGBTQ). GLSEN is the leading... Continue Reading →
BGCA's Child & Club Safety and Youth Trends teams recently learned about some controversy surrounding a recent film release. Keep reading for a list of free resources for discussing consent that can be used alongside the film or at any time with your members. The movie Show Dogs was recently released in theaters as a fun... Continue Reading →
The Music & Youth Initiative has partnered with Clubs around the country to help start and maintain music programming. They've recently released a FREE summer activity kit that any Club can use! Keep reading to learn more. Are you looking for fun, “Do It Yourself” activities that have a musical theme? We’ve got you covered!... Continue Reading →
A few weeks ago, we heard from the Laughlin Unit of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River. Today we hear from their another Unit in their organization- the Bullhead Unit! This Club, led by Unit Director Heather Baxter, has created strong community partnerships to expand their reach and offer creative programming opportunities. Read... Continue Reading →
