Health & Life Skills
“One of my favorite stories came from our Culinary Arts program. The kids get as much out of the process of making food as they do eating it. One day, one of our kids said, “You know why I like culinary arts so much? Because I can cook for my brothers and sisters while my moms away” He was 14 at the time. Three years later, he e-mailed me and asked if the culinary arts program was still around. He wanted to get involved and keep doing it. He said it had hepled him become self-sufficient.”
-Katy Lagoni, Director, Participating Arts
Mentoring and coaching programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs help members learn how to handle the pressures of daily life. Young people learn how to avoid peer pressure, report abuse, make meals and other essential life skills that they may not be learning in school or at home.
HEALTH & LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMS:
SMART Moves: Skills Mastery and Resistance Training
A substance abuse prevention program delivered in age-appropriate components.
SMART Girls
Promoting a positive self-image, SMART Girls stresses self-esteem and healthy decision-making in young women at the Club.
Passport to Manhood
Young men at the Club are exploring positive decision-making, relationship building, leadership development and community involvement through the Passport to Manhood.
Date Smart
A supplemental program to SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood that encourages members to achieve mutually supportive relationships free of violence and abuse.
Culinary Arts
Young members learn the basics of meal preparation, nutrition and kitchen safety.
Boys & Girls Clubs Residential Camp
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo has a residential camp in Hastings, Michigan. Camp is free of charge to Club members and runs eight sessions between June and August. Activities include hiking, swimming, biking, arts & crafts, fishing, field sports, and many other games and activities.