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Serving Albany & Rensselaer Counties
PROGRAMS
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA) provides services and programs to help young people make positive life choices. From education and career programs to health and life skills, our staff and volunteers help inspire youth by providing an opportunity to belong, succeed and serve their community.
Our primary youth services are Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), After School, Summer Camp and Teen programming as well as our food-based initiatives.
Food Access
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: Character & Leadership, Career & Education, Health & Life Skills, Sports & Recreation, and The Arts.
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.
Drama Matters
This program encourages members ages 6-18 to engage in hands-on performing arts activities. Drama education builds self-confidence, sparks creativity and boosts academic achievement.
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. Each of the program’s 14 sessions use interactive activities to focus on a specific aspect of character and manhood.
Youth Of
The Year
Fostering a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live in a diverse and integrated world economy. In the 21st-century workplace, leadership skills like communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone
Torch Club
The “Club within the Club” helps to meet the special character-development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their life. They work in four focus areas: service to Club & community; education; and health & fitness.
Keystone Club
The Keystone Club offers 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.
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.
Junior Staff
Members prepare for future roles as human services professionals by participating in career development activities, building customer service skills and completing a Club apprenticeship
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
The program is designed for ages 6 to 15 to incorporate healthy living and active learning.
Healthy Habits emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity and improving overall well-being.
Smart Moves
Young people ages 6 to 15 engage in discussion and role-playing, practicing resilience and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, 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.
