Youth Development Strategy
We offer a safe environment where young
people from all backgrounds can access opportunities and develop
the skills needed to grow as productive citizens and
contributors to their community. Through goal-oriented
experiential learning, the Club creates an atmosphere to help
youth gain a positive view of themselves in the world, enabling
them to recognize and share their unique gifts with peers, their
family and their community. The objective is to promote
behavioral norms among members that reflect their personal
responsibility and respect for themselves, their environment and
for others.
1st – 12th graders--we want you to stop by the Clubhouse to
join us! Joining the Club for a whole year
only costs $10. If you don’t have $10, don’t let that
stop you. We want everyone who wants to join to become a member.
You can stop by the Club and complete a
membership
form or you can download a Club
Membership Form, complete it
at home and drop it off at the Club.
Four Basic “Senses”
The philosophy underlying the Club’s programming is the Youth
Development Strategy. This strategy defines how youth
development professionals and volunteers interact with young
people. The strategy was developed by social scientists at the
University of Colorado and has been field tested at Boys & Girls
Clubs across the country. All programs and activities are
designed to maximize opportunities for young people to acquire
four basic "senses" which help them build self-esteem and grow
into responsible and caring citizens. These four basic “senses”
are:
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Sense of Competency
Young people feel proud and confident when they acquire new
skills and know they can do something and do it well. This
happens naturally through participation in programs, but it
can be enhanced through a conscious effort to help girls and
boys develop skills and to recognize them formally and
informally for their achievements. The Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County gives young people opportunities to gain skills
and knowledge that will be valuable to them throughout their
lives. |
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Sense of Usefulness
Young people know the satisfaction of doing something of
value for others. It is important to seek out opportunities
for young people of all ages to do something useful for
others, whether it is helping at the Club or participating
in community service projects. The Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County gives young people opportunities to contribute. |
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Sense of Belonging
Young people know they are welcome at the Club, feel that
they fit in and are accepted. This occurs naturally at the
Club. It is enhanced through warm greetings from staff
members when young people arrive at the Club, small group
programs, publishing and posting names and photographs of
young people involved in programs, or anything else,
tangible or intangible, that helps young people feel safe,
comfortable and accepted at the Club. Belonging gives our
members a stake in the future. The primary socializing
institutions of our society (family, schools, clubs) can
provide youth with a sense of belonging. |
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Sense of Influence
Young people at the Club know their opinions are heard and
valued and that they can influence decisions. This can be
enhanced through participation in youth councils, discussion
groups, interest surveys and other opportunities to
contribute to the development of Club programs and rules.
The Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County gives our members a
chance to have a personal sense of influence on the world
around them. |
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When the Youth Development Strategy is fully implemented, the
self-esteem of the youth is enhanced and an environment is
created that helps them to achieve their full potential.
Outcomes
Outcomes are defined as the
benefits participants receive during or after involvement with a
program. It describes a change that may relate to knowledge,
skills, attitudes or behavior. Boys & Girls Clubs define and
communicate their success of a program by measuring outcomes.
The following are Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth
Development Outcomes:
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Positive Self-Identity:
Youth set and attain goals. They have a positive view of
their future by confidently making the necessary decisions
to achieve their life plans. Self-sufficiency and the
ability to support themselves along with others is a result
of this outcome.
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Health and Well-being:
Youth adopt a healthy diet. They practice healthy lifestyle
choices and make a lifelong commitment to fitness.
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Positive Values: Youth
develop and demonstrate strong character. They are guided by
positive values including honesty, integrity, caring and
fairness.
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Commitment to Learning:
Youth value education and lifelong learning. Their
commitment becomes an integral part of their future plans.
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Social Competency:
Youth have positive relationships with family, friends and
coworkers. In addition to appreciating cultural diversity.
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Community and Civic
Involvement: Youth are engaged citizens of their
community and the world.
Helping young people achieve these long-term outcomes is the
reason Boys & Girls Clubs exist. Regardless of the program or
activity being offered, the number one goal of Club staff is to
provide guidance and to assist youth in meeting these outcomes.
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