OUR PROGRAMS

CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP

We are committed to developing our country’s future generations of productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Our programs are centered around community service, advocacy and activism designed to foster young people’s integrity and good character, their ability to make positive life choices, their belief that they can bring about positive change, and compassion and willingness to serve others.

Our focus on character and citizenship is not only fundamental to youth development, it is critically needed to address some of the issues young people face today that can compromise their social, emotional and physical well-being.

KEYSTONE

9th – 12th Grade

The Keystone Club provides leadership development opportunities for young people. Youth participate in activities in the areas of academic success, career preparation, and community service. With the guidance of an adult advisor, Keystone Clubs aim to have a positive impact on members, the Club, and the community.

TORCH CLUB

6th – 8th Grade

Torch Club is a “club within the Club,” helping to meet the special character-development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their life. Young people develop and strengthen their leadership skills, giving them a firm foundation of good character and integrity. Torch Club members elect officers and work together to implement projects in the areas of service to Club and community; education; health and fitness; and social recreation.

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

9th – 12th Grade

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier leadership program, distinguishing and celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members who embody the values of leadership, service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles.

EDUCATION

Fostering globally competitive graduates is important for young people and our nation as we prepare the next generation of business, tech, science and thought leaders. The health of our economy and our communities increasingly depends on a well-educated workforce. Adults with bachelor’s degrees earn more than twice as much as those without a high school diploma and nearly 59 percent more than those with high school diplomas.

Our programs are designed to support academic achievement and facilitate success for our Club kids. We offer homework help, tutoring, educational enrichment, workforce development and college preparation programs.

POWER HOUR

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

SUMMER BRAIN GAIN

Summer Brain Gain is comprised of one-week modules with fun, themed activities for elementary school, middle school and high school students that are aligned with common core anchor standards. In addition, Summer Brain Gain: Read!, a literacy program, complements the larger Summer Brain Gain curriculum.

STEAM MAKERSPACE STUDIO

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale has a functioning Makerspace in eight of our branches.

With technology and tools that focus on STEAM learning, we can provide hands-on experiences for our club members that they may not have the opportunity to experience in any other environment. These spaces allow us to help develop critical 21st-century learning skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation.

AMERICA READS

America Reads with Arizona State University – Utilizes university Federal Work Study students as tutors to help children improve reading skills to make sure children are able to read at grade level. Tutors work with members to improve reading and math proficiency skills, making sure youth are prepared and ready to be strong students.

WORKFORCE READINESS

To help young people meet the workforce challenges of tomorrow, they need safe spaces, positive mentorship, and work experiences today. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we allow kids and teens to:

  • Explore their interests and passions
  • Develop their employability skills
  • Apply their knowledge to real-world work experiences

What We Do

From an early age through high school, supportive Club mentors provide opportunities to explore careers and prepare youth with employability skills for future success. Clubs also connect teens to real-life work experiences such as internships and apprenticeships.

DIPLOMAS 2 DEGREES

d2D is a targeted program in BGCA’s education core program area that encourages teens to make connections between their interests and future career paths, plan and prepare to enter postsecondary education, and develop the social-emotional skills and attributes to be successful in their educational endeavors. 

MONEY MATTERS

7th – 12th Grade 

Money Matters curriculum features 25 fun and engaging facilitator-led sessions. Money Matters was designed using the latest research on financial education, behavioral economics and youth development. Through this program, teens develop financial literacy skills that can lead them to workplace readiness, lifelong financial stability and overall success. 

LEADER IN TRAINING

7th – 12th Grade 

If you’re hired as an LIT, you’ll have a summer internship at the Club and learn skills that will help you prepare for a real job. You’ll have a schedule, performance reviews, a uniform, a series of trainings, and a summer full of skill development and fun with 10-15 of your peers. 

CAREER LAUNCH

7th – 12th Grade 

CareerLaunch is a teen job-readiness and career preparation program. It provides fun and interactive activities to explore a broad range of careers, match interests and identify the skills and education needed for particular career paths. CareerLaunch supports youth as they prepare for their first job, internship, summer employment and volunteer opportunities.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Our programs promote teamwork, healthy choices and emotional intelligence.

National initiatives recommend that youth participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day. However, most studies show that youth, especially girls, fall short of this recommendation. Our Clubs provide fun, creative ways for kids of all skill and fitness levels to get moving.

We encourage and promote commitments to healthy lifestyles and nutrition with educational experiences, physical challenges, recreational activities and youth sports. We focus on positive and productive ways to help kids learn to overcome challenges and bounce back from adversity.

TRIPLE PLAY

Triple Play delivers on the belief that whole-child health fosters young people’s ability to gain diverse knowledge, skills, and stress coping mechanisms that enable them to overcome barriers and thrive in adulthood. Through fun and engaging activities, the program promotes the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition. Youth who participate in Triple Play report double-digit increases in physical activity, improved eating habits and improved relationships with their peers.

HEALTHY HABITS

Designed to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club experience, Healthy Habits emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity and improving overall well-being. This program is the Mind component of Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul.

JR. SUNS

Jr. Suns is a co-ed basketball program that emphasizes fun while encouraging fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, positive adult participation, and community involvement. Practices and some games are held at other Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale locations.

BIDDY BASKETBALL

The Biddy Ball league is open to boys and girls of all skill levels to learn the fundamentals of basketball. Shorter goals, a smaller ball, and dedicated coaches make the game of basketball fun and engaging for younger players. 

FLAG FOOTBALL

1st – 6th Grade

McKee’s flag football league is for all skill levels from beginners to professionals. Join this league to learn flag football fundamentals in a team practice format. Weekly practices and games are held at Four Peaks Park and facilitated by volunteer coaches. Practices and games are located at our Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch only.

SMART GIRLS

SMART Girls is a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program. Designed to meet the developmental needs of girls in three age groups, this program consists of multiple sessions led by female mentors. Girls take part in engaging activities and explore attitudes and values as they build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, and developing positive relationships with peers and adults. 

PASSPORT TO MANHOOD

Passport to Manhood represents a targeted effort to engage young boys in discussions and activities that reinforce character, leadership and positive behavior. Each participant receives a “passport” to underscore the notion that he is on a personal journey of maturation and growth. Each of the program’s 14 sessions uses interactive activities to focus on a specific aspect of character and manhood. It also includes a service project where boys learn the importance of giving back to the community. 

THE ARTS

We are committed to inspiring a generation of innovative leaders with the skills to succeed in the 21st century.

Our programming uses experiences, knowledge and creativity to find solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

In recognizing that all kids have unique gifts and abilities, we encourage youth to explore positive passions and big ideas. We create opportunities for our Club kids to explore, express and execute those big ideas. We actively foster emerging talents and help youth realize their dreams in creative expression.

NATIONAL FINE ARTS EXHIBIT

The National Fine Arts Exhibit encourages artistic recognition of Club members ages 6 to 18 by displaying drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sculpture at local and regional exhibits. A panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which is displayed the ensuing year at BGCA events, including the annual National Conference.