Our Teen Center
Teen Programs
Torch Club
The BGCA Torch Club (2024–2025) is a chartered, small-group leadership and service program for youth ages 11–13, designed for middle schoolers to develop character and leadership skills. As a "club within the Club," members elect officers, plan, and execute projects in four focus areas: service to Club/community, education, health/fitness, and social recreation.
Keystone Club
The BGCA Keystone Club is the premier teen leadership program for members ages 14 to 18, focused on fostering character and leadership skills. It operates as a small group within local Clubs, empowering teens through activities centered on academic success, career preparation, and community service under adult guidance.
Life & Workforce Readiness
This program is about more than just getting a job — it’s about learning how to show up, communicate, work with others, manage responsibilities, and discover what kind of worker you want to be. Throughout the program, students will create a career journal, resume, and professional portfolio while gaining hands-on experience with real workplace scenarios.
Healthy Habits
Healthy Habits emphasizes good nutrition, regular physical activity, spending time outdoors in nature, and improved overall well-being.
Journeys
Paths to Adulthood - (identity development for ages 10-14).
These programs provide hands-on, flexible, and engaging curriculum designed to build critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and social-emotional skills in a supportive, club-based environment.
Youth of the Year
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Club member can receive. All Youth of the Year candidates are ambassadors showcasing the values of leadership, service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles. Since 1947, Youth of the Year has celebrated the extraordinary achievements of Club and Youth Center teens.
At BGCSV teens are invited to start the application process early in the year. They practice their story telling, interviewing and public speaking skills, and then put these skills to the test in front of a panel of judges. Finalists receive scholarships to college in addition to the valuable experience. One winner is chosen at our annual Youth of the Year event, and this person represents our Club throughout the year and goes on to the state level competition.
Becoming State, Regional, or National Youth of the Year is an exciting and inspiring journey. Each year, thousands of Club teens participate in state Youth of the Year events for a chance to continue on to the Regional and National events.
Six teens from these state events, which includes five regional finalists and the National Military Youth of the Year, advance to the National Youth of the Year Gala & Celebration Dinner, where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national teen spokesperson.
All Youth of the Year are role models, leaders, and advocates for nearly four million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs each year, and all of America’s young people.
Contact Our Teen Director
(603) 672-1002