Character & Leadership Development
Youth of the Year
All Ages | Free with membership | All Locations
The Youth of Year is our premier youth recognition program, which promotes and celebrates Club members’ service to Club, community and family, academic performance, moral character, life goals, and public speaking ability. The youth of the year program is most effective when used as a year-round tool for fostering young people's personal growth and leadership qualities. The National Youth of the Year receives up to $26,000 in scholarships, and is installed by the President of the United States. Watch our videos on Youth of the Year here.
Keystone Club
Ages 14-18 | Free with membership | All Locations
Keystone Clubs are chartered, small group, leadership and character development clubs for teens ages 14 to 18. Keystoners elect officers, choose their own activities and plan and implement community service projects. A national charter entitles a Keystone Club to participate in regional and national Keystone conferences. This teen leadership program is funded by the Taco Bell Foundation.
Torch Club
Ages 11-13 | Free with membership | All Locations
This small-group leadership development program, sponsored by Staples, is targeted to youth ages 11 to 13. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness, and social recreation. The Staples National Torch Club Awards are presented annually to Torch Clubs with outstanding programs and activities in the four areas. Each Torch Club receives an official charter from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Serve Corps
Free with membership | All Locations
Provides youth opportunities to volunteer and serve people in their community. Service projects are planned and organized by Club staff. Some projects occur at the Club, and some involve travel to various places in Tulare County. Examples of projects include assembling food boxes for families, teens tutoring younger club members, youth collecting books and stocking Little Free Libraries, helping take care of a community garden, and helping a senior citizen with yard work.