Teen Programming

• Up Next
  • Two meetings a week (M,Th) at 5pm, coming over as part of shift
  • Has run with just HS YDPs, but has potential to open up to any HS student
  • This is an intentional time for us to equip our young people, building skills and providing training opportunities and to help them as they transition into the workforce

• Keystone
  • Meets Tuesday mornings from 6:45am to 7:45am program
  • Open to 14-18 year old students
  • This is a student lead program, where members plan service opportunities in the community, create events for their teen peers to engage in, and develop their leadership abilities. Some of the themes they touch on are community service, helping with academic and career development in students, and addressing bullying through our National Project. This program is married to the National Organization, as through the members’ efforts, we are able to charter through the BGCA and gain recognition and support through their offices.

• Torch Club
  • Meets Mondays during the afterschool programming time at the Club
  • Open to 4th graders and older
  • This is a similar program to Keystone, but for the younger members at the Club. As a group, they learn about leadership and what that requires, and help plan out and implement service projects and activities for our community. 

• Extreme Mentoring
  • Tipton: Meets every 2nd Friday of the month in the middle school during lunch
  • TC: Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the school during homeroom
  • The whole 6th grade class gathers together for food, a lesson, discussion, and an activity. 6th graders are divided into small groups, with each group being led by a junior or senior from the high school. This mentor helps to lead the lesson, discuss the topic with the students, and build a positive relationship with their mentees. 

• Adulting 101
  • Tipton: Meets the 3rd Friday of each month in the high school during lunch / resource period
  • TC: Meets the 3rd Monday of each month in the high school during homeroom
  • Open to any junior or senior
  • Many of our older members are looking ahead towards graduation and life after high school. Adulting comes alongside these students, helping to discuss and teach topics these students want to know and prepare for. Topics we cover include taxes, finances, scholarships, roommate conflicts, making friends post-graduation, elections, and basic home skills for living on their own. 

• Young Adulting
  • This is the same concept as Adulting 101, but for 9th and 10th graders. Since they still have a few years until graduation, we focus less on life post high school, and more on building the skills that help them become well-rounded young adults. Some are soft skills, like conflict and time management, that will add them when they start entering the job market, even. With the changes in diplomas, we are also hoping to be a sounding board and support as they begin their journey towards graduation. 

• Youth of the Year
  • Open to active Club members, ages 14-18
  • Our local competition for honoring a Club member, ages 14-18, who has been actively involved in the Club and a positive impact in their community. Members write essays and present a speech to a select group of judges, who will decide on a local Youth of the Year for our community. This winner will then go to Indianapolis to represent our community and compete at the state level for the title of Indiana Youth of the Year. 

• Transfr VR
  • Through a partnership with Transfr VR, we currently have multiple VR headsets with the Transfr program on them. Transfr has made a virtual reality career simulator that allows users to enter the job site of several different careers and get “hands on” experience with the career, helping them to explore and learn about new opportunities they may be interested in pursuing. 
  • We offer this to our 7th grade and older members on Thursdays during the after-school program time
  • We are also going into TC central and allowing 6th graders the opportunity to try them during their homeroom period. 

• Counsellor in Training (CIT)
  • Summer Program at Tipton BGC Site
  • Open to any youth going into 9th grade through going into 12th grade
  • The CIT program is meant to be a hands-on work-based learning experience. Through the program, they will work with the Club’s K-4 members during our summer day camp. During this time, they assist with programming, build relationships with members, and develop soft skills that will be helpful for when they do decide to get a job. Along with their volunteer time, they will also engage in programming that helps them learn about themselves through character studies, explore their interests and skillsets, and see what options may exist in the workforce that they might enjoy doing.