The Club provides national, evidence-based, diversified activities that meet the interests of all young people. Core programs encourage activities with adults, peers, and family members that enable kids to enhance self-esteem and fulfill their potential. Based on the physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs and interests of boys and girls, and recognizing developmental principles, the Club offers diversified program activities in five areas:

(Click link below to jump to program area.)

1. Character & Leadership

2. Education & Workforce Readiness

3. The Arts

4. Health & Wellness

5. Sports & Recreation

Keystone Club

Keystone Club is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) premier teen leadership program. This program for teens ages 14-18 is designed to promote character and leadership qualities among Club teens; to provide awareness and impact in the areas of community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach, the four focus areas of Keystoning.

Torch Club

Torch Clubs are chartered​ small-group leadership and service clubs for young people ages 10-13. 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 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.

Youth of the Year

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. Each year, one exceptional young person from a Boys & Girls Club rises to the role of National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nation’s young people.

 The journey to being named National Youth of the Year begins locally and progresses to state, regional and national levels, with opportunities for winners to receive various scholarships at each level.

Youth for Unity – Promoting Diversity and Tolerance

Now more than ever, it is important for Club staff to partner with youth to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. Within this nurturing environment, young people need transformative opportunities and experiences to practice social emotional development, specifically empathy for others. 

BGCA’s Youth for Unity program provides youth and parents with the groundwork that will help them better understand diversity and combat prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. This program consists of a comprehensive, broad-based set of activities and conversation starters that build the capacity of local Clubs to help members appreciate themselves as unique and special individuals; understand our society’s diversity; recognize bias and unfairness; and take personal leadership in confronting bias.

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Our Goal: All youth will be effective, engaged, adaptive learners who are on track to graduate with a plan for the future.

Project Learn

Project Learn is an evidence-based program model that reinforces the academic enrichment and school engagement of young people during the time they spend at the Club.

Five-Point Approach:

1. Homework Help & Tutoring

2. High Yield Learning Activities

3. Family & Community Involvement

4. School Partnership & Collaboration

5. Motivation & Incentives

Homework Help & Tutoring

Academic support: is designed to support students’ school success through such efforts as homework assistance and “test sophistication” training sessions. All children can benefit from such assistance.

Academic enrichment: provides young people with an opportunity to practice their academic skills – such as reading, writing, speaking, mathematical calculation and scientific inquiry. These are fun, hands-on activities for all youth that allow them to try new things – or practice old things, but in new ways.

Academic remediation: is used when students encounter difficulty mastering academic content and skills during their regular school day, and approaches include one-on-one and small group tutoring.

PowerHour: Making Minutes Count helps Club members ages 6-18 achieve academic success by providing homework help, tutoring, and high-yield learning activities and encouraging members to become self-directed learners.

High Yield Learning Activities

• Playful learning

• Teachable moments

• Skill building activities

Family & Community Involvement

• Engage families as partners

• Communicate creatively

• Recruit and support volunteers

School Partnership & Collaboration

• Communicate with schools

• Partner with educators to support individual students

• Share professional development and other resources

Motivation & Incentives

• Celebrate youth for effort and progress

• Give youth opportunities to recognize one another

• Consider intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

 STEM & Robotics

With an increasing dependence on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills in the workforce, we want our youth to be fully prepared with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in these fields if they choose. Each of our Clubs proudly houses a STEM/Robotics team where each student learns accountability and teamwork through their specific role and responsibilities that contribute to the overall mission. With the help of our highly-trained robotics coaches, these Club members train regularly and compete regionally in robotics competitions open to teams from various public and private schools throughout the region. 

CareerLaunch

CareerLaunch is BGCA’s premier job-readiness and career-preparation program that directly drives our Great Futures Vision to see “all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future.” Regardless of whether teens are still in middle school or already in the workforce during high school, CareerLaunch offers a variety of activities to hone teens’ decision-making, problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities –important skills for workplace success.

Youth get the chance to explore various careers based on their interests and talents, determine the corresponding educational path they need to pursue, and map out a plan for their future. There are also ample opportunities to partner with professionals in the workforce as guest speakers who can inspire teens to reach their full potential and consider career paths they may have never explored before. Community partners also may offer opportunities for teens to shadow, intern or work in their apprenticeship programs as further career exploration and job-readiness training. This program also partners seamlessly with our Junior Staff program, designed to help teens explore careers in youth development or human services as a part-time Boys & Girls Clubs staff member.

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Programs in this core area enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, digital arts, performing arts, and applied arts.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to providing programs, experiences and initiatives that allow all youth to access imagination and creativity to express themselves and build connection with others in their community. Every Club is unique and no two art programs will be the same. Arts programs, experience and initiatives fall under four categories:

Visual Arts

Visual Arts – Visual art created and judged for its beauty and meaning. It may include painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, collage, mixed media, graphics and architecture.

Digital Arts

Digital Arts – Two- or three-dimensional visual media that uses computers and other technology as an essential part of the creative process. This may include graphic design, animation, photography, movie making, Claymation, game design, music composition and digital illustration.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts – Arts that involve public performance, including playing instruments, acting, singing and dancing. This includes performance support roles, such as creating scenery, costumes, lighting and sound manipulation.

Applied Arts

Applied Arts – Any art form that applies artistic design to functional objects. This includes industrial design, bookmaking, illustration, printmaking, jewelry making, wood working, ceramics, fashion design, culinary arts, creative writing and commercial art.

National Fine Arts Exhibit

This year-round program encourages artistic expression among Club members ages 6 to 18 through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media, and sculpture displayed at local and regional exhibits.

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These initiatives 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

The SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) prevention/education program addresses problems such as drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity. 

SMARTS Girls

The goal of the SMART Girls program is to help girls develop and adopt a healthy attitude and lifestyle, as well as acquire and maintain a positive self-concept, sound decision-making skills and mentor relationships. Female members need a safe setting in which they can address health and social issues unique to them and build the necessary skills to resist negative influences such as drugs, alcohol and premature sexual activity.

Passport to Manhood

The goal of the Passport to Manhood program is to teach and promote responsibility, reinforce positive behavior and develop character in adolescent males. The passage from boyhood to manhood is challenging, requiring adolescent males to understand and manage many issues and transitions. Passport to Manhood addresses critical issues that young men face during this time, such as ethics, decision-making, wellness, ideas about fatherhood, employment and careers, cooperation and conflict, diversity, relationships and self-esteem.

Be A STAR Bullying Prevention Program

BGCA has joined WWE and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to participate in Be A STAR, WWE’s bullying prevention initiative, and its mission to encourage young people to treat each other with respect through education and grassroots initiatives.  The Be A STAR program, focused on social and emotional learning, gives Club members ages 11-13 the tools they need to enhance their learning, decision making, creativity, relationships and mental health.

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These Club programs help develop fitness, a positive use of leisure time, reduction of stress, appreciation for the environment, and social and interpersonal skills.

Triple Play

Triple Play is a comprehensive health and wellness initiative that strives to improve the overall health of members ages 5-18 by increasing their daily physical activity, teaching them good nutrition and helping them develop healthy relationships. The Mind component includes using knowledge to make good food choices; the Body component involves choosing proper exercise and physical activity; and the Spirit component teaches good sportsmanship and conflict resolution skills.

Healthy Habits

Healthy Habits is the "Mind" component of the Triple Play program. The Healthy Habits curricula focuses on making choices that support a healthy eating pattern and physical wellness. This targeted program is made up of interactive practical activities that develop a young person's ability, confidence and motivation to eat healthy for life. 

Athletic Sports Leagues

We provide quality athletic programs that help our Club members engage in physical activities that keep their minds, bodies and spirits healthy. Seasonal athletic leagues may include flag football; full-contact football; basketball; baseball; lacrosse; cheer, dance & step competitions.

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Call (904) 396-4435 to learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida