Programs & Services

The five Core Program Areas provide an overall framework for programming in a Boys & Girls Club. Every Club should provide a diverse program that will attract and retain boys and girls with a wide variety of interests and needs. This is accomplished partly by offering programs in all five Core Program Areas. Following are descriptions of the five Core Program Areas, along with examples of programs that fall into each area.

The Character and Leadership Development Core Program Area empowers youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others' cultural identities.

The Education and Career Development Core Program Area enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.

The Health and Life Skills Core Program Area develops young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.

The Arts Core Program enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and an appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.

The Sports, Fitness and Recreation Core Program Area develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.

Boys & Girls Club has volunteers who provide individualized tutoring in all subject areas. In our effort to meet the growing need for computer literacy, the Club has added a computer lab to the tutoring program. The program will be geared toward offering individualized attention to participants and to expand the scope of our tutoring.

This program serves the older youth (junior and senior high schools). Their activities consist of basketball leagues, volleyball teams and other floor games. Table games are also available for those students not interested in sports. Our teen council plays an active role in planning and coordinating activities such as dances, parties, and cookouts.

Boys & Girls Club offers an organized basketball league for boys and girls. Games are played throughout the West Central Illinois region. Practices and home games are held at the Club. The number of teams is determined by the number of participants. Coaches strive to instill in each of the participants: good sportsmanship, individual goal setting for skill development, self-respect, respect for others, and being good students. This program is one of the finest recreational programs the Club has offered since its days as the Carver Community Center.

This is a six-week program offered in the summer for approximately 200 youth, ages five through eighteen. Children are served a nutritious breakfast and lunch free of charge. They swim, bowl, skate, golf, fish, attend the public library, and are taken on field trips. With the assistance of the University of Illinois, nutrition education and craft classes are provided. Transportation is also provided.