healthy
LIFESTYLES
These programs develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors to nurture their well-being, set personal goals and grow into self-sufficient adults.
SMART MOVES
This nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, as well as premature sexual activity. The program features engaging, interactive small group activities designed to increase participants’ peer support, enhance their life skills, build their resiliency and strengthen their leadership skills. This year-round program encourages collaborations among Club staff, youth, parents and representatives from other community organizations. The program’s components include: SMART Kids, for children ages 6-9, Start SMART, for youth ages 10-12, Stay SMART, for youth ages 13-15.
SMART GIRLS
An outgrowth of the popular SMART Moves program, SMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8-17. The program focuses on issues specific to female Club members and is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable those members to develop to their full potential. From interactive role playing to more tailored mentoring, girls are given the opportunity to explore personal and societal values as they build skills for eating right, staying fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships.
PASSPORT TO MANHOOD
This program promotes and teaches responsibility and reinforces positive behavior in male Club members ages 8-17. Passport to Manhood consists of small-group sessions, each of which concentrates on a specific aspect of manhood through highly interactive activities. Each participant is issued his own “Passport” to underscore the notion that he is on a personal journey of maturation and personal growth. The curriculum is an excellent complement to SMART Girls.
STREET SMART
Street SMART counteracts the negative lures of gangs, violence and “street” influences on young adolescents ages 11-13. While building awareness and resistance skills, participants develop the confidence and knowledge to make intelligent choices. Street SMART’s three modules teach young people how gangs work and how to resist being recruited, how to recognize and resolve conflicts peacefully and how to become positive peer helpers. Participants reinforce what they have learned and share it with others by organizing community events that promote the positive messages of Street SMART.
HEALTHY HABITS
Healthy Habits is the "Mind" component of the Triple Play program. The Healthy Habits curricula focuses on making choices that support a healthy eating pattern and physical wellness. This targeted program is made up of interactive practical activities that develop a young person's ability, confidence and motivation to eat healthy for life. Healthy Habits was carefully designed to provide comprehensive support for the Club’s healthy eating program. The program is organized into 14 sessions that guide members of all ages through three topic areas: defining health, applying nutritional information, and influencing the environment.
POSITIVE ACTION
Positive Action is based on the intuitive philosophy that we feel good about ourselves when we do positive actions. Youth learn that their thoughts lead to actions and those actions lead to feelings about ourselves, which in turn lead to more thoughts. When this cycle is negative, students do not want to learn. When this cycle is positive, students want to learn. The essence of the program is to emphasize those actions that promote a healthy and positive cycle. The Positive Action program works through these concepts in a systematic way.
THE ARTS PROGRAM
This year-round program encourages artistic expression among Club members aged 6-18 through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sculpture displayed at local and regional exhibits. A panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which debuts at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Conference and is displayed throughout the ensuing year.
TRIPLE PLAY
This program challenges members to become healthy and active by learning new ways to eat nutritionally, manage stress, and maintain physical fitness. Triple Play Plus takes the holistic route to touch our members Mind, Body, and Soul. It is intended to increase the number of hours per day that Club members participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in healthy relationships.
SQUASH THE BEET
Squash the Beet was founded in 2016 by two teens that attend the Parkland Boys & Girls Club. Their goal was to grow and provide fresh vegetables and fruits to their community which was lacking affordable healthy food items. The teens also wanted to provide awareness to anti-violence in the community, in which at the time of inception, was occurring at an all-time high.
Every Spring and Summer, Squash the Beet runs a farmer’s market that sells vegetables and fruits in front of the Club. By running this program, it brings awareness of healthy eating tips to the members and to the community and every Fall and Winter the focuses shifts to bringing awareness on anti-bullying and violence.