.png)
Serving Albany & Rensselaer Counties
PROGRAMS
Explore Our Youth Programs
Explore the enriching programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA), where kids and teens can find a safe and supportive environment to grow, learn, and thrive. Our programs are designed to inspire creativity, foster academic success, and promote healthy life choices. With a focus on community and personal development, we ensure every youth has the opportunity to discover their potential. Join us in building a brighter future through after school programs tailored to empower and engage young minds.
Our primary youth services include Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), Afterschool (ASP), Summer Camp, and Teen programming. We serve youth and families throughout Albany and Rensselaer counties.
Scroll down for our Fall 2025 Program Guide or download a PDF copy.
FALL PROGRAMS
Ages 5-12
Albany Clubhouse
AfterSchool Program
September 15 - June 26*
2:30 - 5:30 PM
*(Follows district calendar, does not include school breaks, holidays or snow days, subject to change.)
Albany Clubhouse Vacation Days
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
LEAPS AfterSchool Enrichment Program
September 22 - May 29
Monday - Friday
2:30-5:30 PM ASH, PHES, and Toast
3:30-6:30 PM DCS and AHES
Visit the AfterSchool page
Soccer for Success
September 15 - November 7
Ages 5-8:
Monday & Wednesday 4:00-5:00 PM
Ages 9-12:
Monday & Wednesday 5:00-6:00 PM
Provides underserved communities with access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that support youth physical and mental well-being.
Lyricism 101
September 15 - November 7
Ages 8-12
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:00-5:30 PM
The program gives teens an opportunity to tell their stories, build community and express their artistic visions through the music with music appreciation and audio engineering.
Smart Moves
September 15 - November 7
Ages 5-8
Tuesday & Thursdays 4:00-5:00 PM
A team approach that involves Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. Young people engage in discussion and role-playing, practicing resilience and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media & peer influence.
Family Fun Nights
9/26: Trivia / Game Night
10/24: Halloween
11/21: Indigenous Craft Fair and Scavenger Hunt
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Geared towards ages 5-12, all ages welcome; parent or guardian must attend and supervise. Free activities and food for families to spend quality time together and socialize.
Ages 13-19
Albany Clubhouse
Total Teen Takeover & Operation Safe Zone
Mon - Thu 4:00 - 8:00 PM
& Fridays 4:00 - 8:30 PM
Teens have a safe place to hang out with friends in the game room, get homework done in the computer lab, create music in the music studio, or play in the gym. Activities and open rooms vary.
Lyricism 101
September 15 - November 7
Mondays 6:00-8:00 PM
The program gives teens an opportunity to tell their stories, build community and express their artistic visions through the music of all genres. Music appreciation and Audio Engineering are key components.
Keystone Club
September 15 - November 7
Mondays 4:30-7:30 PM
Leadership development opportunities for young people ages 14 to 18. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service.
Digital Orchestra
Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00-8:00 PM
A concept derived from Tyara Burnett of 518 Positive Reinforcement, students utilize the “Akai” music product line of the MPC production machines to compose musical works. Students gain aptitude in Steady Beat, Rhythm, Tempo and Music Production. Perfect for students who have an ear for music but cannot play an instrument.
Skillastics Girls Basketball
Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00-8:00 PM
Girls ages 12-18
Dream Team Basketball League
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 PM
Career Launch
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Encourages Club members ages 13 to 18 to assess their skills and interests, explore careers, make sound educational decisions and prepare to join our nation’s workforce.
Up Next Program
Provides teens with work experience right in the Club, where they can learn and practice key employability skills. Participation puts teens at the front of the line – or “Up Next” – for desirable placements in the workforce.
ARPA Workforce Program
Participants attend the Career Launch program and get work experience by shadowing and assisting personnel in a wide variety of roles, including youth mentorship, custodian or clerical roles. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a $250 stipend towards career development needs (uniform or work attire, courses or certifications etc.)
LIGHT Youth Employment Program
Participants register through the City of Albany for the LIGHT YEP. Participants who are placed with the BGCCA will participate in Career Launch and get work experience by serving as mentors in our AfterSchool programs. Participants are paid an hourly wage through the City of Albany. For more information or to register for the LIGHT YEP, please contact Albany’s Department of Youth and Workforce services at SYEP@albanyny.gov or 518-438-1082.
FALL PROGRAMS
Ages 5-12
Troy Clubhouse
AfterSchool Program
September 15 - June 26*
2:30 - 5:30 PM
*(Follows district calendar, does not include school breaks, holidays or snow days, subject to change.)
Troy Clubhouse Vacation Days
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
LEAPS AfterSchool Enrichment Program
September 22 - May 29
Monday - Friday
2:00 - 5:30 PM
Carroll Hill, School 2 and School 14
Visit the AfterSchool page
Soccer for Success
September 15 - November 7
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM
Provides youth with access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that support youth physical and mental well-being. For youth ages 5-8.
Music Makers
September 15 - November 7
Wednesdays & Fridays 4:00-5:00 PM
Ages 8-12 - Music Makers inspires young people to produce music and to create their life soundtrack. Music Makers promotes young people’s natural love of music and increases their appreciation, while building their skills to express themselves using instruments like piano, guitar and drums.
CYO Basketball League
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 PM
Ages 11-14 - Middle School Basketball Team that plays games throughout the Capital Area, giving youth the opportunity to travel, represent their community, and build lasting relationships with peers and coaches from diverse backgrounds.
Family Fun Nights
9/19: Trivia / Game Night
10/17: Halloween
11/14: Indigenous Craft Fair and Scavenger Hunt
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Geared towards ages 5-12, all ages welcome; parent or guardian must attend and supervise. Free activities and food for families to spend quality time together and socialize.
Ages 13-19
Troy Clubhouse
Total Teen Takeover & Operation Safe Zone
Mon - Thurs 4:00-8:00 PM
Fridays 4:00-8:30 PM
Teens will find a safe place to hang out with friends in the game room, get homework done in the computer lab, create music in the music studio, or play in the gym. Activities and open rooms vary.
Lyricism 101
September 15 - November 7
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
6:00-8:00 PM
The program gives teens an opportunity to tell their stories, build community and express their artistic visions through the music of all genres. Music appreciation and Audio Engineering are key components.
Keystone Club
September 15 - November 7
Mondays & Thursdays 5:30-7:00 PM
Leadership development opportunities for young people ages 14 to 18. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service.
CYO Basketball Teams
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 PM
Ages 11-14 - Middle School Basketball Team plays games throughout the Capital Area giving youth the opportunity to travel, represent their community, and build lasting relationships with peers and coaches from diverse backgrounds.
Career Launch
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
5:00 - 6:30 PM
or
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Encourages Club members ages 13 to 18 to assess their skills and interests, explore careers, make sound educational decisions and prepare to join our nation’s workforce.
Up Next Programs
Provides teens with work experience right in the Club, where they can learn and practice key employability skills. Participation puts teens at the front of the line – or “Up Next” – for desirable placements in the workforce.
WIOA Workforce Program
Participants attend Career Launch program and get work experience by shadowing and assisting personnel in a wide variety of roles, including youth mentorship, custodian or clerical roles. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a $250 stipend towards career development needs (uniform or work attire, courses or certifications etc.)
Rensselaer County Youth Employment Program
Participants register through Rensselaer County for the Youth Employment Program. Participants who are placed with BGCCA will participate in Career Launch and get work experience by serving as mentors in our AfterSchool programs. Participants are paid an hourly wage through Rensselaer County. For more info or to register please contact 518-270-2883.
Programs by Focus
Five Core Areas of Focus
BGCCA programs help young people develop self-confidence and self-esteem and all of our programming focuses on the 5 Core Areas established by Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Career & Education, Character & Leadership, Health & Life Skills, Sports & Recreation, and The Arts. We've added Food Access as another priority.
__________________________________
Career & Education
Career & Education programs focus on three approaches: academic enrichment and school engagement; targeted dropout prevention; and intensive intervention and case management. Our aim is to ensure that all Club members graduate from high school on time, ready for a post-secondary education or workforce placement.
Character & Leadership
Character & Leadership programs are built around helping youth establish necessary skills to become responsible and caring citizens. Participants also develop leadership and decision making skills to help them achieve a great future.
Passport to Manhood
This program engages young boys in discussions and activities that reinforce character, leadership and positive behavior.
Youth Of
The Year
Fostering a generation of leaders, fully prepared for the workplace with leadership skills, goal-setting and teamwork.
Torch Club
Meeting character development needs of younger adolescents through: service, community, education, & health.
Keystone Club
The Keystone Club for young people ages 14 to 18 focus on: academic success, career prep and community service.
Food Access
BGCCA prioritizes food access for community youth by operating a commercial-grade kitchen providing more than 200,000 meals annually to our youth and other organizations in the Capital Area. We also operate a complete hydroponic farm located inside of a shipping container.
Health & Life Skills
Health & Life Skills programs develop 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.
Healthy Habits
Designed for ages 6 to 15 to incorporate healthy living and active learning while emphasizing good nutrition, physical activity and improving well-being.
Smart Moves
Young people ages 6-15 engage in discussion and role-playing, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media and peer influence.
Sports & Recreation
Sports & Rec programs help develop physical fitness routines, a positive use of leisure time, reduction of stress, and social and interpersonal skills.
The Arts
Arts programs are designed to foster creativity and give outlets for self-expression. From photography to hip-hop, our arts programs have something that will inspire everyone.
