Core Programs

The Boys & Girls Club of Watertown purposefully directs resources to support efforts that will create high-quality after-school and summer programming in a safe and healthy environment, with positive adult role models. All of our programs have youth achievement goals with demonstrated outcomes that ensure our youth have the knowledge, skills, and integrity to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

All Club activities support youth development in at least one of three key program areas:

Healthy lifestyles to help youth engage in positive behaviors that nurture well-being, set personal goals and grow into self-sufficient adults, including daily physical activity, healthy food choices and an appreciation for the outdoors.

Academic success to help youth achieve academic goals, stay in school, explore career interests, learn new skills and consider post-secondary education options.

Character and leadership to empower youth to become engaged in the Club and the community, sustain meaningful relationships, respect one another and participate in the democratic process.

Healthy Lifestyles

Our Healthy Lifestyles programs develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills. Our programs are developed to increase daily physical activity, teach Club members good nutrition and help them develop healthy relationships.

Triple Play

Triple Play is a daily program striving to improve the overall health of members through their mind, body, and soul.

Healthy Habits

Healthy Habits engages youth to make choices that support a healthy eating pattern and physical wellness.

CATCH My Breath

Catch my breath is a special program for members focusing on electronic cigarette dangers.

SMART Moves

The SMART Moves program exposes members to activities designed to develop decision-making and critical-thinking skills, learning how to resist alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and premature sexual activity.

Cooking Club

Learning how to prepare healthy meals is an important skill in life, and the earlier children start the better. By acquiring this invaluable skill, children can also gain an understanding of the importance of a healthy and balanced diet.

Gardening Club

The Club garden teaches Club members lifelong gardening skills by caring for the garden. Club members also learn about good nutrition when they harvest and prepare fresh produce from the garden.

Academic Success

The Education & Career Development program enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, set goals, explore careers, prepare for employment and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.

The Arts programs enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.

Power Hour and GIFT

Our homework assistance programs encourage Club members to become self-directed learners through guidance and high-yield activity learning. The homework assistance programs are made possible through the support of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant. To learn more about the GIFT program at your school, click here.

STEM Club

STEM Club meets weekly providing Club members access to science and math targeted experiences with simple, fun, and hands-on activities.

Summer Brain Games

Summer Brain Gain is comprised of weekly modules with fun, themed activities for elementary school, middle school and high school students that are aligned with common core anchor standards to help against summer learning loss.

Career Launch

CareerLaunch prepares teens for the world of careers and work. Club teen members embark on a journey to explore possible vocations, make sound educational decisions and find success in the workforce.

Good Character & Citizenship

This program 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, We want to create a level of citizenship in teaching youth to give back to their community and give opportunities for youth to become leaders.

Keystone Leadership Club

Keystone enables teen members to participate in volunteer service and social action, to better understand their voice and the community.

Torch Club

Torch Club engages younger members to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to the Club and community, education, health and fitness, and social recreation.

Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Club of Watertown utilizes the Youth of the Year program as a year-round tool for fostering young people’s character, personal growth, and leadership qualities. Teens ages 14 to 18 may be a candidate to compete for The Boys & Girls Club of Watertown Youth of the Year. The young person selected as the Youth of the Year represents the Club at the State competition. The individual selected as the State Youth of the Year receives additional scholarships and is eligible to participate in the regional competition. Five regional winners are eligible to compete on the national level. The young person selected as the National Youth of the Year!

Junior Youth of the Year at the Boys & Girls Club seeks to develop junior leaders ages 10-13 within the Club environment. The program fosters Club members’ emerging leadership abilities while preparing them for later participation in the Youth of the Year program.

Positive Action

Positive Action is a special program meant to engage youth in character development, social and emotional learning and academic improvement through short, interactive activities with their peers.