Character and Leadership Development
The Character and Leadership Development Program develops the ability in youth to support and influence their Club and community. Programs in this area include the Keystone and Torch Leadership Clubs, SMART Moves program in age-appropriate groups (SMART Kids, Start SMART, and Stay SMART), the Sports Club, and Career Launch. Each of these programs is a chartered Boys & Girls Clubs of America researched and tested youth development activity. Keystoners and Torch Clubbers elect officers and work together to implement activities in different socially responsible, community service areas.
Torch Club (Ages 11-13)
Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 11-13. 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. Each year, Torch Club members from all over the country take part in a service-learning experience through the National Torch Club Project.
Keystone Club (TEEN Supreme Ages 14 – 18)
Keystoning is the Plymouth Boys & Girls Club’s most dynamic teen program. It affords teens an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and service experience. Members conduct activities in three areas: academic success, career exploration, and community service. Members of the Keystone Club are nominated for the annual Youth of the Year competition and a $2,000 scholarship prize.
SMART Moves (Ages 6-9; 10-12; 13-15)
Skills Mastery and Resistance Training is the SMART of SMART Moves. The SMART Moves program is based on two rigorously tested curricula: Life Skills Training (Gilbert Botvin, Ph.D., Cornell University) and Project SMART (William Hansen, Ph.D., University of Southern California).
SMART Moves is now used successfully in communities across the nation. The program is based on a resistance-training/social-skills model. Using small-group activities, it teaches young people to recognize and resist media influences and peer pressures to engage in alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, and premature involvements.
Youth of the Year (Ages 15 – 18; Annual Awards Dinner in April)
All members benefit from the Club’s participation in this program. Youth of the Year promotes and celebrates service to Club, community, and family; academic performance; moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The Youth of the Year program is used most effectively in this Club as a year-round tool for fostering young people’s character, personal growth, and leadership qualities. Thanks to the generosity of the Magner family (in memory of Stephen - $2,000 scholarship) and Run of the Mill Tavern (in memory of Tom Howarth – two $500 scholarships to runners-up) three finalists receive scholarships.
Junior Staff (Ages 13 - 18). This completely updated program provides Club staff with tools to guide young people in preparing for a career in Boys & Girls Clubs and/or other service professions. Through participation in Junior Staff, teens will develop interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, and a sense of community engagement while experiencing on-the-job Club work. Be the Difference: Tips and Tools for Boys & Girls Club Junior Staffers is a booklet created just for teens to introduce them to the Junior Staff program. It is chock-full of practical tips and self-exploration activities that will help teens as Junior Staffers and beyond as they pursue long-term career goals.