About Our Programs
Boys & Girls Clubs programs have taken members from the Clubhouse to the White House; from the games room to the corporate boardroom; from the high school orchestra to Carnegie Hall.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cathedral City has a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life.

National programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics.

	CareerLaunch CareerLaunchTM is a career exploration and mentoring program for teens ages 13-18. This program includes the CareerLaunch Web sitethat allows teens to take an interest survey, explore careers, identify training or college requirements, seek out financial aid and play skills-building games. There's also an easy-to-use Career Exploration Quick Reference Guide with a broad range of career planning and job skills activities that Club staff or volunteers can use with teens. The CareerLaunch Portfolio contains a Teen Tips booklet with helpful interviewing and on-the-spot job tips.
	CLUBService This program, the result of a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps), provides education awards to Club members ages 17 and 18 and Club alumni ages 19-24 who serve their Clubs and communities. CLUBService recognizes young people's service, helps them access higher education opportunities and encourages them to pursue future careers as Club professionals.
	Goals For Graduation Goals for Graduation introduces Club members ages 6 to15 to the concept of academic goal setting. In one-on-one sessions with Club professionals, members set achievable "Know-I-Can" goals, more challenging "Think-I-Can" goals and yearly "Believe-I-Can" goals, then create action plans. The program provides for recognition of members' achievements at every step of the journey.
	Junior Staff: Cultivating Tomorrow's Club Professionals Today Junior Staff is a program that assists Club members ages 13 to 18 explore a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys & Girls Club work. Young people prepare for future roles as human services professionals by participating in career development activities, discovering the importance of community service, building customer service skills and completing a Club apprenticeship.
	Money Matters: Make It Count Created with the Charles Schwab Foundation, this financial literacy program was designed specifically to help teens (ages 13 to18) expand their knowledge of money management and learn the skills that lead to financial independence and well-being. The Money Matters: Make It Count program consists of five components: Teen Personal Finance Guide, Program Facilitator's Guide, Money Matters Web site.
	Power Hour: Making Minutes Count A comprehensive homework help and tutoring program, POWER HOUR is designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members ages 6 to12.
	Project Learn Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through "high-yield" learning activities at the Club and in the home. Based on Dr. Reginald Clark's research that shows fun, but academically beneficial activities increase academic performance, these activities include leisure reading, writing activities, homework help and games like Scrabble® which develop youth's cognitive skills. Project Learn emphasizes collaborations between Club staff, parents and school personnel. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has been proven to boost the academic performance of Club members.
	Skill Tech: Basic Training Skill Tech is a hands-on program that appeals to members of all ages and technical abilities. Through three levels of animated lessons (available in English or Spanish exclusively online at www.myclubmylife.com) for members and instructor-led group activities, members learn skills in various Microsoft software programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher and Digital Image Pro.
	Skill Tech II Skill Tech II teaches advanced, yet practical technology skills to Club members. It features three eight-session modules (available in English or Spanish exclusively online at www.myclubmylife.com) for beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Participants learn about hardware identification and installation, networking and technology-related careers.

	Cavity-Free Zone Cavity-Free Zone was developed in response to the recent U.S. Surgeon General's report on oral health, which revealed a silent epidemic of oral disease in America, especially among disadvantaged youth. Cavity-Free Zone aims to improve the oral health of Club members ages 7 to18 nationwide. Through oral health educational program materials, a Web site and collaborative efforts with local dental schools, dental societies and other health care agencies, Cavity-Free Zone will be a catalyst for change in providing dental services to disadvantaged youth.
	Healthy Habits Designed for ages 7 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.
	NetSmartz NetSmartz teaches Internet safety skills through engaging multimedia activities and offline interaction with Club professionals in three age-appropriate modules: Clicky’s Web World (for ages 6 to 7); NetSmartz Rules (for ages 8 to 12); and I-360 (for ages 13 to 18). Topics include personal safety, shopping safety and ethical use of the Internet. To learn more, youth ages 12 and younger can go directly to www.netsmartzkids.org; while teens, parents and Club staff can learn about Internet safety at www.netsmartz.org. BGCA collaborated with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to develop NetSmartz.
	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. The program uses a team approach involving Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. More than simply emphasizing a "Say No" message, the program teaches young people ages 7 to15 how to say no by involving them in discussion and role-playing, practicing resistance and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media and peer influence. The ultimate goal: to promote abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual involvement through the practice of responsible behavior.
	SMART Girls An outgrowth of the popular and effective SMART Moves program, SMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to17. The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential. Learn more about SMART Girls here.
	Passport to Manhood Passport to Manhood promotes and teaches responsibility while reinforcing positive behavior in male Club members ages 11 to14. Passport to Manhood consists of 14 small-group sessions, each of which concentrates on a specific aspect of manhood through highly interactive activities. Each participant is issued his own "Passport" to underscore the idea that he is on a journey of maturation and personal growth.

	Cavity-Free Zone Cavity-Free Zone was developed in response to the recent U.S. Surgeon General's report on oral health, which revealed a silent epidemic of oral disease in America, especially among disadvantaged youth. Cavity-Free Zone aims to improve the oral health of Club members ages 7 to18 nationwide. Through oral health educational program materials, a Web site and collaborative efforts with local dental schools, dental societies and other health care agencies, Cavity-Free Zone will be a catalyst for change in providing dental services to disadvantaged youth.
	Healthy Habits Designed for ages 7 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.
	NetSmartz NetSmartz teaches Internet safety skills through engaging multimedia activities and offline interaction with Club professionals in three age-appropriate modules: Clicky’s Web World (for ages 6 to 7); NetSmartz Rules (for ages 8 to 12); and I-360 (for ages 13 to 18). Topics include personal safety, shopping safety and ethical use of the Internet. To learn more, youth ages 12 and younger can go directly to www.netsmartzkids.org; while teens, parents and Club staff can learn about Internet safety at www.netsmartz.org. BGCA collaborated with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to develop NetSmartz.
	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. The program uses a team approach involving Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. More than simply emphasizing a "Say No" message, the program teaches young people ages 7 to15 how to say no by involving them in discussion and role-playing, practicing resistance and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media and peer influence. The ultimate goal: to promote abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual involvement through the practice of responsible behavior.
	SMART Girls An outgrowth of the popular and effective SMART Moves program, SMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to17. The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential. Learn more about SMART Girls here.
	Passport to Manhood Passport to Manhood promotes and teaches responsibility while reinforcing positive behavior in male Club members ages 11 to14. Passport to Manhood consists of 14 small-group sessions, each of which concentrates on a specific aspect of manhood through highly interactive activities. Each participant is issued his own "Passport" to underscore the idea that he is on a journey of maturation and personal growth.

	TRIPLE PLAY: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul Triple Play is a dynamic wellness program currently being offered in Boys & Girls Clubs 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. Program components include: • Healthy Habits Nutrition Curriculum • Daily Challenges • Sports Clubs • Triple Play Games • Social Recreation Triple Play Parents Game Plan Because parents play such a critical role in the development of a child’s physical and social well-being, in February 2007, BGCA, Coca-Cola and Kraft launched a tool that could be used at home –where healthy habits start, are modeled and reinforced.
	The Major League Baseball®S.T.A.R. Award The MLB®S.T.A.R. Award program recognizes members ages 10 to 18 for demonstrating Sportsmanship, Team spirit, Achievement and Responsibility in sports, fitness and social recreation programming. Clubs may participate in this program by regularly acknowledging young persons who demonstrate S.T.A.R. characteristics. Each organization selects one outstanding youth who best embodies these characteristics to receive a beautiful trophy and become eligible for state, regional and national MLB®S.T.A.R. Award competition.
	Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA This national youth basketball initiative, launched by the NBA and the WNBA, connects players, parents and coaches. The program, which is supported by an all-star Advisory Council as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other national youth organizations, provides unique information within its training guide curriculum. Subjects include advice for coaches from the first practice to the final game, ideas on creating a positive and fun environment for youth and tips for players ranging from skills to sportsmanship.

	TRIPLE PLAY: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul Triple Play is a dynamic wellness program currently being offered in Boys & Girls Clubs 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. Program components include: • Healthy Habits Nutrition Curriculum • Daily Challenges • Sports Clubs • Triple Play Games • Social Recreation Triple Play Parents Game Plan Because parents play such a critical role in the development of a child’s physical and social well-being, in February 2007, BGCA, Coca-Cola and Kraft launched a tool that could be used at home –where healthy habits start, are modeled and reinforced.
	The Major League Baseball®S.T.A.R. Award The MLB®S.T.A.R. Award program recognizes members ages 10 to 18 for demonstrating Sportsmanship, Team spirit, Achievement and Responsibility in sports, fitness and social recreation programming. Clubs may participate in this program by regularly acknowledging young persons who demonstrate S.T.A.R. characteristics. Each organization selects one outstanding youth who best embodies these characteristics to receive a beautiful trophy and become eligible for state, regional and national MLB®S.T.A.R. Award competition.
	Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA This national youth basketball initiative, launched by the NBA and the WNBA, connects players, parents and coaches. The program, which is supported by an all-star Advisory Council as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other national youth organizations, provides unique information within its training guide curriculum. Subjects include advice for coaches from the first practice to the final game, ideas on creating a positive and fun environment for youth and tips for players ranging from skills to sportsmanship.

	ClubTech Through Club TechBGCA is providing Clubs with the tools to make Club members and staff effective technology users. Clubs utilize technology programs that will give members basic computer skills; introduce them to digital movie making, music making, photography, graphic design and Web development; and guide staff in using technology to enhance all program offerings. Club Tech also includes extensive technology training opportunities for Club staff at all professional levels. These initiatives emphasize community mobilization and family involvement as strategies Clubs can use to better serve more young people and broaden the impact of all Club programs.
	Embracing Inclusion This initiative provides Clubs with resources to enhance their services to youth with disabilities within fun, safe environments. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 13 percent of young people ages 7 to 14 have a disability. Unfortunately, many of these young people have limited access to after-school programs that provide engaging, enjoyable opportunities for social and personal development. Clubs are working with Kids Included Together (KIT) to provide Club professionals and volunteers with effective strategies, tools and best practices for recruiting more youth with disabilities and serving them more effectively.
	Latino Outreach Initiative Boys & Girls Clubs play a critical role in providing young Latinos with opportunities to succeed. By engaging Latino youth and families through word-of-mouth referrals, face-to-face contacts, community collaborations, special events and targeted programming, Clubs give young Latinos access to interest- and need-based programs to help them develop leadership abilities and strong decision-making skills. BGCA offers professional training and mentoring for Club staff in the area of Latino cultural diversity.
	Teen Initiative Teens are not simply “older children;” they have reached a developmental stage that requires a different strategic approach to recruitment, retention, marketing, staff interaction, space utilization and programming. In addition, the needs and developmental abilities of younger teens (13 to 15) vary from those of older teens (16 to 18). The Teen Initiative provides program resources, grant funding, training and technical assistance to Club staff and boards so they can deepen their impact with teens in their communities and serve them more effectively.
	Family PLUS (Parents Leading, Uniting, Serving) Initiative The Family P.L.U.S. Initiative consists of five components from which Clubs select their focus. Each component is designed to fit specialized area(s) of need of Club families. Learn more about this exciting initiative and impressive advisory committee. Click here to view Tips: For Spending Quality Time with Your Teen.
	Youth for Unity To help educate young people across the country about the importance of tolerance and diversity, Designed to combat prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. Youth for Unity is the umbrella title for a comprehensive set of programmatic interventions that will allow Clubs to help members appreciate and understand our society’s diversity, recognize unfairness and take personal leadership in confronting bias. Under this initiative, an additional diversity module will be developed for the Street SMART Program.