THECLUB EXPERIENCE: IT’S FUN!
T
his year, 4 million kids will come through the doors of a Boys & Girls Club and get a start on their great futures. Just how much they achieve depends on the length of their stay in the Club and how often they return. The Formula for Impact spells out our strategy to build great futures for America’s youth. In addition to reaching the kids who need us most, we must also make sure that young people attend often enough and long enough to realize the full benefit of the Club Experience, and that they remain engaged in the Club year after year.
GET KIDS IN THE DOOR For more than a century, Clubs have operated on a simple principle: get kids in the door by offering them fun, and, while they’re there, teach them something important along the way – meet their need for caring guidance, support their academic success and help them develop as leaders of strong character. That principle is as relevant today as it was 150 years ago, and it should form the basis of every Club’s strategy to 10
FALL/WINTER 2011/12
increase average daily attendance – which is, put simply, the number of kids in the Club each day. The total Club Experience – the welcoming environment, range of activities, caring and supportive adults, and life-changing opportunities – is more profound than the sum of its parts. And its impact is greatest when kids attend regularly. At its core, the Club must be fun, exciting and compelling to members. Conduct regular assessments to make sure that the programs you offer meet the interests and needs of the youth in your community. Provide a menu of high-yield activities and targeted programs, whether they’re national or locally designed. (For fun, quick activity ideas, see the High-Yield Activity Kits available on bgca.net/formulaforimpact.) When young people are interested and engaged in the offerings of the Club, they will continue to attend – and to achieve. Offer plenty of activities that are sure to be youth favorites, such as field trips, gamesroom tournaments or cooking classes that end with a shared meal. Encourage frequent attendance with small-group clubs that hold regular meetings. Events – such as picnics, family nights, staff-versus-kids or parents-versus-kids sports challenges,