Required Programs
The Arts
Members develop creativity and cultural awareness through the use of visual arts, crafts, performing arts, and creative writing. Participation in artistic programs and field trips exposes them to the many facets of the arts and their impact on culture.
Character & Leadership Development
Youth for Unity (all ages): This initiative teaches young people and youth development professionals to promote/celebrate diversity, and combat/prevent prejudice, bigotry and discrimination.
Keystone Club (ages 14-18): Keystone Clubs are chartered leadership and service clubs. Keystoners elect officers and plan and implement their own activities in four areas: service to club and community, unity, free enterprise and social recreation.
Torch Club (ages 10-13): Torch Clubs are chartered leadership and service clubs. Torch Club elect officers and plan and implement activities in four areas: service to club and community, education, health and fitness, and social recreation.
Youth of the Year (ages 14-18): Eligible members participate in a competition where they write essays, give a 3-minute presentation, and undergo an interview process. Our YOY then competes at the State YOY Competition. Eligibility Requirements: 14-18 years old, maintain a B average or higher, Club membership for at least 2 years, and community service.
Education & Career Development
Power Hour (all ages): A comprehensive program designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members. Power Hour helps Club members become more successful in school by providing homework help and supplemental activities.
Health & Life Skills
SMART Moves - Skills Mastery & Resistance Training (all ages): This comprehensive prevention program teaches young people to resist alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, as well as premature sexual activity. The SMART Family includes: SMART Kids (ages 6-9), Start SMART (ages 10-12), Stay SMART (ages 13-15), and SMART Parents (any age), as well as special initiatives SMART Girls (girls ages 8-12 and 13-17) and Street SMART (all ages) which are outlined below.
SMART Girls (girls ages 8-12 and 13-18): This program enhances girls’ physical and emotional well-being and increases their self esteem. Through dynamic sessions, highly participatory activities, field trips and mentoring with adult women, Club girls explore their own attitudes and values as well as those held by society. They build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, and maintaining good health care, while also developing positive relationships with peers and adults.
Street SMART (ages 12-18): This program counteracts the negative lures of gangs, violence and ‘street’ influences on young adolescents, while building awareness and resistance skills to make intelligent choices.
Sports, Fitness, & Recreation
Includes indoor and outdoor programs that provide safe outlets for participants to try new skills and interests, build friendships, find their place in a group and gain developmentally relevant experiences. Sports and group games are used to emphasize the importance of exercise and safety while providing members with fun and challenging activities.
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Supplemental Programs
The Arts
Arts & Crafts (all ages): Members use a wide-variety of mediums to create artwork as well as engaging in special group projects and initiatives such as ‘Know Your Neighbor, Know Your World’.
Club Choir (all ages): Members learn to sing various types of American music as well as styles from around the world. They then perform at Club and community events.
Talent Show (all ages): Members demonstrate their special abilities in this annual competition. Winners are chosen in music, dance, and an ‘other’ category. The grand champion is then submitted to be considered to compete in the National BGCA Talent Search.
Character & Leadership Development
Boy Scouts (ages 7-10): Provides an opportunity for boys to learn leadership skills as well as respect for self, others, the community, and nature through various indoor and outdoor activities.
Girl Scouts (ages 6-17): Provides an opportunity for girls to learn leadership skills as well as respect for self, others, the community, and nature through various indoor and outdoor activities.
Passport to Manhood (ages 12-17): This program introduces male members to the various facets of becoming a man. It teaches them the importance of personal responsibility and public accountability.
Education & Career Development
Computer Courses (all ages): Members are given the opportunity to learn keyboarding skills, internet usage, digital photography and music, as well as various other software programs. We also have SAT & ACT preparation software to help our high school students prepare for college entrance exams.
Tutoring Program (select members of all ages): Thirty-six members are chosen based upon a combination of a Club pre-test in reading and math, their grades from the previous quarter, and recommendations from teachers, staff, parents, or the children themselves. They then receive individual tutoring each week to help boost their academic performance and self-esteem.
Health & Life Skills
Cavity Free Zone (ages 6-10): The Club partners with Crest to teach our younger members the importance of oral hygiene, proper brushing techniques, and eating nutritious foods.
Style, Charm, & Grace (ages 6-13): Members are taught proper etiquette and engage in public speaking in order to learn how to conduct themselves as young ladies and gentlemen. The program culminates with a banquet in which each participant demonstrates what he/she has learned.
Gardening Club – During late spring and summer, members work with staff from the University of Illinois Extension Service to prepare the soil, select and plant various seeds, maintain the garden, and harvest their produce. They also learn the importance of portion size and nutrition.
Home Economics/Cooking (all ages): Members learn kitchen basics such as measuring and baking, as well as how to prepare simple dishes.
MethSMART (all ages): The Boys & Girls Club of Danville was one of 20 sites chosen nationally to pilot this new program, which focuses on the dangers of methamphetamine use and the consequences it has for users, their families and communities in which they live.
Sports, Fitness, and Recreation
Boys & Girls Club Basketball League (ages 11- 18): Members have weekly practices, play other local teams in our Spring & Summer sessions, host and travel to play other Boys & Girls Club Teams, and participate in the annual Dustbowl Tournament.
Golf (ages 10-14): Ten members who have demonstrated good behavior and an interest in the sport receive golf lessons twice a week from local supporters. They are taught fundamentals and those who excel culminate the season with an actual game.
Gymnastics (girls ages 8-10): Due to limited space, female members interested in learning this sport undergo a try-out process in which they are judged on sportsmanship, ability, and cooperation. Those who make the ‘team’ participate in weekly classes and have an end of the year performance where they showcase what they have learned.
Volleyball (ages 11-18): Members learn the basics of playing and coaching volleyball. They are then encouraged to pursue the sport in a school-based or intramural league.
Knitting/Crocheting - Members learn knitting & crocheting basics and finish with a culminating project.
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