Boys & Girls Clubs offer a number of leadership programs that provide members with the building blocks for becoming caring, responsible citizens. These programs serve as powerful vehicles through which Club staff meet the special character development needs of adolescents at a critical stage in their lives.

In particular, Torch Clubs, small leadership and service groups for 11-13 year-olds, and Keystone Clubs, a similar activity for 14-18 year-olds, are some of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s most dynamic programs. They engage young people to become leaders through service to their Club and community and participate in national projects for which they can win awards for outstanding service activities.

The results? Budding leaders across America have found many ways to develop their leadership skills while making a difference in their communities.

Since Torch Club’s national project has focused on environmental awareness, many activities for the preteen groups involve cleaning up neighborhoods, launching recycling campaigns and hosting awareness events for the entire community. Torch Clubs are sponsored by Staples Foundation for Learning.

In a similar vein, Keystone Clubs are encouraged to participate in the 2008 National Keystone Project, “Caring for Others,” which aims to increase public awareness of AIDS, malaria, measles and other life-threatening diseases. For this project, teen groups will collaborate with other organizations to help reduce the impact of these illnesses and raise dollars and resources in support of other nonprofits.