Boys and Girls Clubs of America Day for Kids
The Boys and Girls Clubs of America currently serves some 4.8 million girls and boys through membership and community outreach at more than 4,000 affiliates in the United States, and on military bases in Europe and Asia. Though served and supported by a national organization, Boys & Girls Clubs affiliates across the country are independent organizations managed by their own boards.
The mission statement of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America is “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Through local Boys and Girls Clubs, professionals and volunteers support this mission by providing a safe, positive environment where youth can interact with their peers and with trained, adult role models and mentors.
The program offerings of a local Boys and Girls Club affiliate are structured by the club itself based upon interest, participation and resources and focus within six categories; Character & Leadership; Education & Career; Health & Life Skills; the Arts; Sports, Fitness & Recreation; and Specialized Initiatives. Through national partnerships, the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America organization provides specific programs within each of these broad areas for implementation on a local level.A current national initiative of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America is to establish the third Saturday in September each year as Boys and Girls Clubs Day for Kids. Created as a day to foster relationships between adults and children, the mission of BGC Day for Kids is to establish a day to celebrate and honor American children through the gift of meaningful time. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have compiled an event planner and planning materials to support participation of groups in this initiative.
Currently on a national level, Alpha Phi Omega is working to create a closer relationship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and to develop a better understanding and potentially a more formal relationship between the two national organizations. Several chapters across the Fraternity participate in a variety of activities and projects to support local Boys and Girls Clubs in their area.
For additional information to assist your chapter in developing and expanding its interaction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, check out the following:
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America Fact Sheet – This document has been assembled by the National Scouting and Youth Services Committee to assist chapters with their interaction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. It details basic information on Boys and Girls Clubs of America history, program, etc. that would be useful for a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega planning a project.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America Project Profiles – This document is a summary of several recent Boys and Girls Clubs of America related projects undertaken by chapters across the country. Each of these projects, among others, is detailed within the Service Project Database.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America Project Idea Sheet (this guide is still in development) – An idea sheet developed by the National Scouting and Youth Services Committee to provide basic project ideas to chapters looking to plan a project with their local Boys and Girls Club.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America Official Website – Visit the Boys and Girls Clubs of America official website for links to additional information on the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and for current news and activities of the organization on a national level.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America Club Finder – Use this link to assist in locating contact information for a Boys and Girls Club in your area.
