Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) – School-Age Center (SAC) partners with the BGCA whose mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. BGCA is a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. This is truly the positive place for children.
SAC incorporates the following BGCA activities into the program:
Power Hour (Homework Assistance)
Power Hour occurs daily and is an educational enhancement program that helps children and youth with homework, finishing assignments and tutoring to gain proficiency in specific areas such as math or language arts. Power Hour is designed to raise the academic proficiency of club members ages 6 to12. We offer homework assistance daily throughout the day and keep many of the textbooks from West Point Elementary and Middle School at the School-Age Center.
Triple Play
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, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and Kraft Foods Inc., is a dynamic wellness program currently offered in BGCA that demonstrates how eating right, keeping fit, and forming positive relationships add up to a healthy lifestyle. The goal of the Triple Play program is to improve club members’ knowledge of healthy habits; increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in positive relationships.
Character Counts
This is a framework centered on basic values called the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. These traits are reinforced daily. Each week a “Star of the Week,” who exemplifies these pillars is selected and celebrated by the children.
4-H
Beginning around the start of the 20th century, 4H was established through the efforts of youth-oriented people in several areas of the United States. The “learning by doing” model came from the desire to make the education provided by public schools more available and relevant to youth living in rural parts of the country. In recent years the program has further emphasized its devotion to life skills development in youth, and does so through 4-H’s traditional hands-on learning approach. 4-H helps children to do better in school, learn to help others, and feel more capable and responsible. In settings like clubs, camps, after-school programs, and trips, the 4-H Youth Development program helps youth reach their fullest potential. Members have opportunities to connect to Cornell University, learn through hands-on activities, lead, be inspired, inspire others, and so much more. SAC incorporates 4-H into the curriculum on a weekly basis. 4-H and Clover-buds each meet once a week. All of the youth and staff are registered 4-H members. Some of the many projects that we are working on this year include creating rockets, clocks, string art, gardening, and community service. Both long term and short term activities are included in the syllabus.
Sports & Fitness Instruction - A qualified fitness instructor provides Sports & Fitness instruction at SAC three times a week. The Sports & Fitness programs focus on fair play, teamwork, and inclusiveness. Sports, fitness, and health options are one of the four service areas; we also include BGCA activities as part of the sports & fitness curriculum. Children participate in recreation activities that will enrich their lives, and teach them important life skills through sports & fitness activities. Sports offer a great opportunity to teach values and foster self-esteem. All Sports & Fitness instruction is overseen by Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) Sports & Fitness Director, Brian Szeli.
Sports Club – The Sports Club is for children who are interested in having fun and learning basic sports, skills, and games. This club emphasizes cooperation, teamwork, and sportsmanship. All skill and fitness levels are included and activities are geared towards the interests of the children.
Healthy Habits - Designed for ages 6 to 15, the program aims to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the club experience, Healthy Habits, which is also the “Mind” component of Triple Play: A Game for the Mind, Body and Soul, emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity, and improving overall well-being.