Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is committed to providing support to youth that will enable them to succeed in school and achieve success. We want to give our members the tools to graduate from high school with a plan for their future; college, trade school, military or employment.

Here are a few of our Academic programs:

Power Hour
Making Minutes Count is an engaging homework help and tutoring program that encourages Club Members at every age to become self-directed learners. Youth commit at least one hour to homework and school projects, using the time to gain assistance from staff and use the resources available in the Club.

D2D (Diplomas to Degrees) 
A college readiness program for Club Members ages 13-18 years. This initiative provides a range of services to help guide Club Members through high school graduation and make plans for post-secondary education and career success.

Money Matters
Promotes financial responsibility and independence among Club Members between the ages 13-18 years. Teens learn the basics of money management, such as how to manage a checking account, create a budget, and save and invest for college. The program guides teens through interactive activities, games and tools.

Club Tech
A digital literacy program that aims to make technology fun, easy, and accessible to Club Members. Youth that participate learn how to use basic business software, be safe online and how advanced hardware can help them advance their networking skills. Club Members build their digital skills while expanding their creativity and gain access to technology resources, which helps them to perform better in school and be more prepared for a professional environment.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast promotes leadership and cultivates future role models through a variety of programs in our Clubs:

Keystone Club
A leadership development program that provides opportunities for Club Members between the ages of 14-18 years. Teens participate in activities in three focus areas, in and outside of the Club: Academic Success, Career Preparation and Community Service. Club Members learn the importance of civic service, taking pride in their Club and community, and serving as a role model to their young peers.

Torch Club
Targets the development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their life and prepares them for their next stage in life. Club Members learn to elect their peers as officers and work together to implement activities in four key areas: Service to their Club and Community, Education, Health and Fitness, and Social Recreation.

Youth of the Year
Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is a premier recognition program for Club Members promoting: service to their Clubs, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability.

Each Club recognizes members between the ages 14-18 years as Youth of the Month winners and then selects a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competitions. State winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and participate in regional competitions. Five regional winners each receive a $10,000 scholarship and compete on the national level. The National Youth of the Year receives up to an additional $50,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States.

Youth of Unity
A specialized program that celebrates diversity while combating prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination. The program helps Club Members to appreciate themselves as unique and special individuals, understand diversity in society, recognize bias and unfairness and take personal leadership in confronting bias. NetSmartz Teaches Internet safety skills by fusing multimedia activities and offline interaction in three age-appropriate categories: Clicky’s Web World (for Club Members between the ages of 6-7 years); NetSmartz Rules (for Club Members between the ages of 8-12 years); and I-360 (for a Club Members between the ages of 13-18 years). The program includes education about personal safety, shopping safety and ethical use of the Internet, and promotes proper use of digital media.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast wants all members to adopt and maintain positive behaviors about life, nutrition and self. Below are some of our successful Healthy Lifestyle programs:

Triple Play
A program aimed to improve Club Members’ knowledge of healthy habits; increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in positive relationships. The program offers a holistic approach with three key areas of focus: Mind: Develops a knowledge base for Club Members to acquire healthy habits, such as making smart food choices, understanding appropriate portion sizes and creating fun and balanced meals.   Body: Promotes Club Members to become more physically active through fun daily fitness, including activities to get them active and moving. Soul: Strengthens interpersonal skills, positive behavior and good character through social recreation programs and activities.

Healthy Habits
An extension of Triple Play and is designed to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club experience for Club Members between the ages of 6-15 years. The program focuses on the Mind component of Triple Play, and engages Club Members through encouraging healthy eating, participating in physical activities, and gaining knowledge about proper nutrition. SMART Moves (Skills Master And Resistance Training) A program that uses a team approach with Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. The program teaches Club Members between the ages of 6-15 years how to say “no” by involving them in discussion and role-playing, practicing resistance and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media and peer influence. The ultimate goal of this program is to promote abstinence from substance abuse and adolescent sexual involvement through the practice of responsible behavior.

SMART Girls
An extension of the SMART Moves program, is a health, prevention/education, and self-esteem enhancement program for female Club Members between the ages of 8-17 years. This program is aimed at encouraging healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable female adolescents to make responsible decisions at critical points in their lives.

Passport to Manhood
Promotes and teaches responsibility to male Club Members between the ages of 11-14 years. The program is divided into 14 sessions, each concentrating on a specific aspect of character and manhood through interactive activities. Each participant receives his own “passport” to underscore the notion that he is on a personal journey of maturation and growth.