We strive to enable our youth to be successful in school as well as instill a passion for lifelong learning through our academic impact program and our daily hands-on learning and exploration activities. Learn more about Academic Success programs.

Programs That Support Academic Success

STEM Learning: Clubs offer hands-on activities that build science, technology, engineering, and math skills. Our technology programs focus on:

• Access to technology and digital tools
• Technical skill development
• Workforce readiness and career exploration
• Support for academic performance in STEM subjects

Homework Assistance: Every day after school, youth development specialists and volunteers provide:

• Homework help
• Tutoring
• Encouragement to become confident, self-directed learners

Junior Staff — Career Development for Teens: Teens have the opportunity to work as Junior Staff in roles throughout the Club. While gaining real-world work experience, they:

• Build leadership and communication skills
• Support daily Club operations
• Learn job skills for future careers
• Apply academic skills in meaningful ways

Money Matters: Make It Count: For ages 13–18, this Charles Schwab Foundation–sponsored program teaches:

• Budgeting
• Saving and banking
• Responsible spending
• Planning for the future

College Prep: We provide teens with the tools they need to navigate the college process, including:

• Application guidance
• Financial aid and scholarship resources
• Support understanding college life
• Connections to local opportunities and mentors

Summer Brain Gain: Summer Brain Gain keeps kids learning while having fun. This program prevents summer learning loss through:

• Interactive, project-based activities
• Weekly themes
• Hands-on exploration
• Skill-building challenges

Our targeted programs help children and teens learn the importance of healthy lifestyles, developing good nutrition habits, making positive daily choices, and building a lifelong commitment to physical fitness.

Sports, Fitness & Recreation: Many young people today aren’t getting enough physical activity or building the healthy habits they need for long-term well-being. At the Boys & Girls Club, we offer a wide range of programs that help youth stay active, build confidence, and learn skills that support a healthy lifestyle.

SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training): SMART Moves is a nationally recognized prevention program that empowers young people to make healthy, responsible choices. Through engaging small-group activities, youth learn to:

• Resist alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
• Avoid premature sexual activity
• Build resiliency and self-confidence
• Strengthen leadership and decision-making skills
• Lean on positive peer support

SMART Moves includes age-specific modules designed to meet young people where they are:

• SMART Kids (ages 6–9)
• Start SMART (ages 10–13)
• Stay SMART (ages 14–18)

Each module focuses on age-appropriate topics that help youth make wise decisions, adopt healthy behaviors, and build strong character.

SMART Girls: SMART Girls is a prevention and enrichment program focused on developing social-emotional skills for girls. Through guided discussions, activities, and mentorship, participants learn to:

• Navigate personal and social challenges
• Build confidence and positive self-image
• Strengthen peer relationships
• Practice problem-solving and communication skills

Cooking & Healthy Eating Activities: Across our Club sites, members participate in hands-on cooking and nutrition activities that encourage healthy eating habits. Youth work together to:

• Prepare nutritious recipes
• Learn basic kitchen and food safety skills
• Explore new foods
• Build confidence in making healthy choices

Our year-round character and leadership programs help youth build confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of service, at home, in the Club, and in the community.

Keystone Clubs: Keystone is the ultimate teen program at Boys & Girls Clubs for ages 14–18. Members develop leadership skills and make a difference through activities in academic success, career preparation, and community service—both inside and outside the Club. With guidance from an adult advisor, Keystone teens positively impact their peers, the Club, and their community.

Torch Clubs: Torch Clubs are small leadership and service groups for youth ages 11–13. These clubs help younger teens grow in character, responsibility, and teamwork, providing support during an important stage in their development.

Youth of the Year: Youth of the Year is the Club’s highest honor, recognizing outstanding members. Participants develop leadership and communication skills through an application and interview process, with opportunities to advance to state, regional, and national competitions.

Our Life & Workforce Readiness Programs are designed to empower young people with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to thrive in both life and career pathways. From early exploration to career entry, these programs help youth build essential personal and professional skills that today’s schools and employers value.

Key Focus Areas:

Essential Skill Development: Builds communication, collaboration, creativity, and lifelong learning skills that set the stage for success in school, work, and life.

Career Exploration & Planning: Introduces youth to a wide range of career possibilities through assessments, field trips, industry speakers, and guided exploration to help them make informed choices.

Work Readiness & Employability: Teaches practical workplace skills such as resume building, interview preparation, financial management, and professional behavior.

The Teen Court Program is a youth diversion initiative for ages 11 to 17, offered at Boys & Girls Club locations in Brookings, Moody County, Yankton, and Vermillion. This program provides first-time offenders the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and work toward clearing their juvenile record. Participation is available only to youth who have admitted guilt for their first offense.

Teen Court is run by teens, for teens. Participants may serve in a variety of courtroom roles, including jury member, bailiff, prosecuting attorney, or defense attorney. Each case is presided over by a community adult attorney serving as the judge. Cases handled in Teen Court have included underage consumption, petty theft, simple assault, and entering and remaining, among others.

The program operates in collaboration with the States Attorney’s Office, which provides referrals and forwards all necessary paperwork and police reports to the Teen Court Coordinator. Families receive a formal intake letter with program details and are then asked to contact the Teen Court Coordinator to schedule the intake process.

Through this program, youth gain a deeper understanding of accountability, the judicial process, and leadership, while participating in a peer-driven, educational, and supportive environment.