Programs
Summer Spectacular 2023
Summer Camp from June 12 to August 11. Full days Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. $75 per week, and scholarships are available for youth and families that qualify. More information to come, and signups begin in April.
Our wide variety of programs are organized into five focus areas
1. Education and Career Development
Provide opportunities and support for career exploration, educational enhancement and tutoring.
- Individual and group tutoring for academic success
- Power Hour: For one hour Monday-Thursday, clubs turn into a study hall to concentrate on finishing homework, studying, or reading.
- Summer Spectacular: Nine-week affordable summer camp with a variety of activities, field trips, hikes, athletics, and a camping trip for older members.
- College Bound: A group of high school seniors focused on preparing for college by researching individual schools, studying for SAT’s, navigating the application process, developing effective study habits and time management strategies, and touring local colleges and universities.
- Chess Club: Chess is more than just a board game. It improves memory, the ability to adopt the perspectives of others, planning skills, and even ADHD symptoms in children.
2. Character and Leadership Development
Encourage members to become responsible, caring citizens.
- Individual and group tutoring for academic success
Youth of the Year: Awards program highlighting overall excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, and character. Youth of the Year is held on the club, regional, state, and national levels with the potential for scholarship opportunities.
Keystone Club: this is our main teen program, providing leadership and character development opportunities. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service. With the guidance of an adult advisor, Keystone Clubs aim to have a positive impact on members, the Club and the broader community.
Torch Club: similar in structure to Keystone but for pre-teens, preparing them for high school and serving as an important mutual support group.
Teen Late Night: Every Friday, clubs host positive and drug-free activities for teens including movie nights, game nights, field trips to local athletic events, and more.
3. Health and Life Skills
Help youth achieve and maintain healthy, active lifestyles both physically and emotionally.
- Smart Journeys- Healthy Habits: Designed to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club Experience, the Healthy Habits program emphasizes good nutrition and regular physical activity as means to improve overall well-being.
- SMART Girls: Through dynamic sessions, participatory activities, field trips, and mentoring opportunities with adult women, Club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.
- Passport to Manhood: engages young boys in discussions and activities that reinforce character, leadership and positive behavior. Each participant receives a “passport” to underscore the notion that he is on a personal journey of maturation and growth. Each of the program’s 14 sessions use interactive activities to focus on a specific aspect of character and manhood.
- Zero Hunger Meal Program: provides a healthy, balanced meal and after-school snack for all members free of charge.
- Culinary Arts for Teens: teaches teens the fundamentals of cooking as well as nutrition and affordable, healthy recipes they can make at home
- Roots to Shoots Gardening: organic gardening program hosted at certain clubs.
- Food Distribution
4. The Arts
- Notes for Notes: partner nonprofit that provides a quality recording studio, instruments, and group instruction for all ages.
- Ceramics, Pottery and Specialized Art Programs: the Downtown SB site has a donated kiln, pottery wheels, and art materials to teach members the fundamentals of ceramics and other art mediums.
- Dance and Movement: occasional dance classes hosted at certain clubs.
5. Sports, Fitness and Recreation
Improve fitness, serve as a positive use of leisure time, reduce stress, and impart social skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
- Sports Leagues: Basketball, Soccer, and Flag Football for ages 5-15 organized into competitive leagues with practices and games.
- Triple Play: General group movement exercises, games, and general fitness activities for all ages.
- Camp Whittier: a 94-acre camp located in the Santa Ynez Mountains that offers a variety of outdoor activities and creative spaces. The camp is home to the Elings Science and Math Camp along with an extensive outdoor education curriculum.
