Developing a strong character and leadership qualities is a crucial part of the overall growth of young children. Various programs are organized at Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas to instill and encourage these important assets in children up to the age of 18 years. These programs also help to develop leadership skills in children by providing them ample opportunities for decision making, planning, volunteering, crisis management etc.

Some of the character and leadership programs offered by Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas are:

• Youth of the Year: This is a primary youth recognition program for all the members of the club. It is aimed at promoting academic performance, life goals, moral character, ability to speak in public, poise, and service to family, community and the club. The program is implemented year round to foster personal growth, character as well as leadership qualities. Regional clubs select ‘Youths of the month’ and a ‘Youth of the Year’ from the members aged 14- 18 years who represent their respective clubs in the state level competition.
• Torch Clubs: This is a small leadership club for children aged 11-13 years. Torch Clubs are basically aimed at driving children to the right path when they are at a critical developmental stage, i.e. adolescence. The members of this club are motivated to work in groups to perform activities in different areas including social recreation, health and fitness, education and service to community and the club. Children who give an outstanding performance in all the four areas round the year are presented with ‘Staples National Torch Club Awards’.
• Keystone Clubs: These are active leadership clubs for teens aged 14-18 years. The kids club organizes various activities in different areas including character and leadership development, unity, social recreation, service to community and club, education and career assessment. The members of the club are also nominated to direct committees that organize local and national Keystone seminars every year. 
• Goals for Growth: Through this program, kids aged 8-12 years are encouraged to set and achieve life goals, identify their strengths, and enhance self-esteem by reinforcing their progress. The members are made to set goals in six areas including service to others, school improvement, career awareness, club involvement, personal improvement, skills and hobbies.

For more details about the character and leadership programs offered by Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas, you can call at (254) 699-5808.

Art activities are essential for the overall growth of a child. Like other recreational activities, children should be encouraged to develop an interest in art. Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas organize various art activities for kids of different age groups. As a part of their arts program, the club offers various activities that are aimed at helping the kids discover their creative side.

Some of the art activities organized by Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas include:

• National Fine Arts Exhibit Program: This program enrolls kids of 6-18 years of age. The program intends to boost the artistic side of the children by way of collage, painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculptures etc. Each year, a panel of judges selects the most unique piece of art which is displayed at all events of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for the subsequent year.
• ImageMakers National Photography Contest: This program is specifically aimed at the photography enthusiasts between the age of 6 and 18 years. In this, the kids are made familiar with different techniques of photography, including digital, black and white, color and alternative process. The members are encouraged to freely showcase their skills and interests. Also, there are various regional level contests held to recognize and commend their creativity.
• Digital Arts Suite and Festivals: With a view to develop career options for the kids, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas also teach digital arts to the kids. This includes Design Tech (graphic designing), Web Tech (website designing), Music Tech and Photo Tech (photo designing). The kids are also made familiar with editing and filming movies, writing screenplays etc.
• Summer Music Camp: Kids aged 13-18 years can enroll themselves in this program to learn various musical instruments, writing music and scripting lyrics by professional mentors. The music camp is organized in collaboration with Texas Folk Music Foundation (TFMF).
• Drama Matters: This program, organized in partnership with TNT DramaMatters Afterschool, is aimed at increasing the awareness of kids about the benefits of drama and theater.

All the programs offered by Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas focus on complete physical, social, emotional as well as psychological development of the kids. For more information about their programs or to enroll your child with the club, feel free to call at (254) 699 – 5808.

Basketball, a fast-paced game, is a highly popular sport all over the world. Basketball is a team sport that is played by two teams of five players each. Both the teams try to score against each other by throwing the ball through a hoop or basket which is 10 feet high. Basketball can be played indoors as well as outdoors and has organized rules. Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas help kids develop the skills required to play the game.

Skills Required To Play Basketball

Some of the basic skills required to play basketball include dribbling, running, shooting, jumping, passing, etc. With experience and regular practice, young players can master the skills and get better at the game. Dribbling is a crucial skill that allows you to move round and execute plays. This requires the kids to learn how to spread their fingers for controlling the ball. In order to score the player needs to shoot the ball into the hoop. Thus, it is important for kids to learn to hold and throw

the ball towards the basket while avoiding defenders. Proper training allows the player to precisely aim, extend their arms and lift the legs to make a proper shot. Training for shooting requires one to learn different types of shots, throws and layups.

In order to be a good player, one needs to learn to pass the ball to another team member. Your ability to pass the ball will decide whether your team will score or not. A good basketball player is also good in jumping while taking shots, trying to catch a pass, and while defending and trying to block a shot or a pass. A player who learns all these skills and practices them properly gets very good at basketball.

Benefits Of Playing Basketball

Basketball is a sport that offers a number of health benefits. It is considered a great workout as it helps in burning calories, building endurance and muscles, improving balance and coordination, and developing concentration. By playing in teams, the players build up associations and learn to develop friendships at a very young age. It is a fun game and kids of all ages enjoy playing the game.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas organize basketball games for kids to develop competitive spirit in them and offering them a platform to demonstrate their skills. To enroll your kids at our club, call at (254) 699-5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Recreational activities and sports are very important for children of all ages. They help inculcate socializing, sharing, fair play and sportsmanship qualities in children from a very young age. Although schools organize recreational activities they are often not able to devote a lot of time to them due to academic pressures. You can consider making your children join a kids club to devote his spare time to constructive activities. Recreational activities help keep the children occupied and away from bad company and juvenile delinquent activities. By participating in activities children develop positive habits, learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and social skills while staying healthy and fit at the same time.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a renowned kids club in Texas that offers various extracurricular programs for teenagers and young kids. Understanding the needs of the children, they strive to offer various recreational and sports activities besides the career related programs. They offer a safe environment where kids can indulge in activities under the supervision of trained instructors. They prepare children for a successful career while learning a new skill or sport. By participating in recreational activities children make new friends and also learn group cooperation, respect for others, playing as a team, life skills and develop sharing qualities. The club offers various programs and depending upon the potential and the interest of the children they can choose any which appeals to them.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas organize Sports Leagues which includes Youth Football, Youth Basketball, Cheerleading and various other activities. The club is presently offering three Football leagues which are available for children aged 7 to 8 years, 10 years and 11 years old. The youth basketball league is organized for both boys and girls. Cheerleading is another activity that appeals mostly to the children of ages 7-12. By registering in these sports activities at the club, you can keep your children involved in productive activities after school. They will gain skills and experience at the club which will be valuable for them in their life. These activities make your child use their time productively, learn important life skills and remain fit and healthy. By playing in football and basketball leagues organized by the club, your children can also learn the skills and use the training to play the sports as professional players in the future.

For more information, call us at (254) 699-5808   Ext:102

Fears and anxiety are a very common emotion experienced by almost every individual. In a way, anxiety is a good emotion and helps motivate and excel. However too much anxiety, especially during the teen years, can affect the daily life and have adverse consequences. Thus parents need to ensure that anxiety does not begin to cause distress in the everyday life of their teenager.

It is extremely important that parents identify when the anxiety levels of children have gone beyond the normal expected levels. Here are some useful tips that can help you deal effectively with your child’s anxiety problem.

Tips to deal with anxiety in teens:

• Set Routine: Establish a consistent and structured routine for your teen. This will help significantly in reducing their anxiety levels. A planned routine will provide them a sense of control and predictability. Organize time for basic activities like eating, studying and exercises. Set their limits as well as the consequences for breaking them.
• Talk about it: Parents should encourage the child to share his/her feelings with them. Anxiety is a positive emotion as long as it is in a controlled level. Talk to them about their doubts, concerns, fears, worries and try to pacify them. Help them to manage their anxious behavior with the help of breathing exercises. Make sure you are accepting and acknowledging about your teenager child’s feelings. Being criticized and disapproved by the parent can ruin their sense of self– esteem.
• Develop social circle: Encourage your teen to spend quality time with family and friends. This will give them a sense of security and bonding. Also, keeping themselves busy in other activities will also help to distract their minds from thoughts that provoke anxious behavior.
• Make them take risks: Teenagers should be encouraged to come out of their comfort zones and engage in activities that involve them to explore their skills and capacities. Do not make them avoid situations that lead to anxiety. They must learn to engage in innovative activities as it will help them build confidence and increase the sense of self-worth.

We, at Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize various individual and group activities that will aid in the overall and healthy development of your teenager. For more information, call at (254) 699 – 5808. You can also visit us at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX - 76541.

Just like any other activity, arts and crafts are also an essential part of learning. It is crucial to motivate children to adopt art as a hobby. By exposing kids to such activities at an early stage of their childhood, parents and schools can make them have a bend towards arts and crafts. This will not only offer them a chance to show their creativity, but also make them sensitive towards artistic creations of others. There are various kids clubs that have included arts and craft in their programs to help children discover their talents. These activities bring out the hidden aptitude and imagination in the children.

The kids clubs usually organize exhibitions to display the artwork of kids and even organize contests to help them compete with other artists. The clubs offer programs that encourage artistic expression through painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media.  The exhibitions are usually organized at local or regional level to give maximum encouragement and exposure to the club members. The winning entries are not only awarded, but their works are also exhibited at the events organized by the clubs. The children, who usually perform well in fine arts, choose it as their mainstream career; thus, kid’s clubs offer a kind of platform to the children so that they can show their creativity.

Some other interesting programs offered by kids club include photography competitions, which help club members learn and practice different forms of photography such as black and white, color, digital, and alternative process photography. The children often participate in contests that recognize their potential at local, regional, and national level. The quality works of the children are often exhibited at the club venues and functions. This motivates the children to take up photography as a hobby and explore it further. The children are encouraged and guided to take part in various online photography contests. Some clubs also offer digital art training and organize festivals to help children display their work. They get to learn filmmaking, editing, and writing screenplays.

Besides the above-mentioned activities, the children’s clubs also focus on developing acting and music skills in the members. They facilitate the learning of writing music, writing lyrics, leaning different instruments, and singing. The kids perform and participate in festivals that recognize their talents in acting and music. They also attend various drama and acting workshops to sharpen their skills. The time spent by a kid in the club is often used productively to enhance the abilities for the child.

Homework is an essential part of school education as it contributes towards learning of facts and helps the child revise the syllabus. Kids however are never too keen in doing their homework and keep getting distracted towards other activities. As all parents want their kids to be organized and regular when it comes to doing their homework they often look for ideas to make homework creative, exciting and interesting. Here are some tips that will help you make homework fun for your kids.

• Develop a homework routine: Choose an appropriate time when your child can concentrate better on his homework. You should let your child have some free fun time after school and before he begins his homework. You should find the right setting and timing, and make a routine. Following a routine is a good idea as it will help your child work more efficiently and know what is expected of him.
• Set up proper homework desk: Make sure that your kid has a comfortable, quiet and a well-lit place to study. You should set up his desk with essentials and ensure that there are no distractions nearby.
• Work together: Young children focus more on their homework if an adult accompanies them. Parents can sit down with their children and even do their own work while children carry on with their homework.
• Give them short breaks: Continuous studying can be monotonous and it is difficult for children to sit for long hence you should let them have short breaks. This will not only help in improving their concentration but will also improve their mood. You can use this break to feed them and to do stretching exercises or any physical activities.
• Make homework fun: You should encourage your children to have a playful attitude towards their homework. You can help them by using puzzles, brainteasers and other fun activities to make them learn in an interesting way. You should communicate with your child and encourage him to study and do well.
• Give incentives for finishing the work: You should help your child learn, clear his doubts and finish his homework on time. Setting a reward for performing well can be a good incentive for the child to study quickly and without distractions.

You can also encourage your child to enroll in a kid’s club that offers various education programs focusing on completing homework and offering tuitions to kids between 6-16 years of age.

Students indulge in a number of extracurricular activities along with their school and university life. They can choose arts, health, life skills or career oriented activities for their free time. Sports and recreation activities are the most popular activities that attract the attention of boys and girls of all age groups. Sports enthusiasts often join clubs to learn different sports and participate in different competitions and tournaments. There are numerous sports activities offered by Boys and Girls club Texas and they also organize sports leagues to encourage and motivate the budding players. They offer different sports fitness and recreational programs that help boys and girls expand their skills and play better.

The most popular sports activities in Killeen TX include football and basketball. Many boys and girls also like to participate in cheerleading activities. Even parents encourage their children to play these action packed sports as these activities keep the children physically active and help them learn sportsmanship. The recreational sports activities are the best solution to the sedentary life style of the children these days. Football and basketball is not only fun to play but also helps children build up their body and stay healthy. Both these games are physically demanding and may be challenging initially; however, once the child takes up one of these games they enjoy playing it.

Football and basketball are one of the best options if parents want their children to stay fit and busy in their leisure time. These sports activities are much better than lying on a couch and watching television the entire day. These sports involve running and physical exercises which help children develop their stamina, muscles and physical strength. It is often found that children who play sports such as football or basketball have better concentration and coordination skills unlike children who don’t play any sport.

Joining a club that offers football or basketball league and training not only helps in channelizing the energy of youth but also helps them remain focused on their goals while developing a competitive spirit. They learn to compete and win while working in teams and learn to coordinate with each other towards a common goal. The clubs are often equipped with the required training equipment and facilities to help youth develop their skills in the sport. These clubs offer a platform or a launching pad to the children who are good in the sports.

It is your responsibility, as a parent, to ensure that your kids have good oral and dental care. Children are prone to cavities due to their tendency to eat sweets which leads to the buildup of bacteria in the mouth and causes damage to the teeth. However it is possible to prevent this damage if you pay attention to the proper dental care of the kids from an early stage.

Here are some tips that will help you make your kids stay cavity free.

• Assist your children with routine dental care: It is crucial to take care of your child’s teeth from an early stage. As they are not capable of brushing and flossing their teeth on their own so it is your responsibility to help the child.
• Use quality toothpaste: A large variety of toothpastes is available in the market however, not all toothpastes are for kids. It is always a good idea to ask your dentist about any recommendation as it is important that the paste your kid uses does not have any harmful content. The paste should have pleasing taste so that the kids enjoy brushing at least twice a day and fluoride helps strengthen the tooth enamel.
• Choose right toothbrush: With so many toothbrushes available, it is important that you choose a brush that is suitable, has soft bristles and is designed for the size and shape of a child’s mouth and hands. The child should be able to hold the brush properly and control the movement of the brush. Choosing colorful and attractively shaped brush encourages kids to make brushing fun.
• Monitor the diet of children: Children are fond of sweets and snacks and this is usually the main cause of tooth decay. It is important that you monitor their diet and always choose nutritious snacks for your child like fruits, low fat cheese, vegetables and other healthier options.
• Get regular dental checkup: You should take your child for regular dental checkups and make sure that every issue is resolved. Dentists often offer fluoride treatments to the children and other preventive treatments such as sealants, which are durable plastic coatings that cover the grooves and can offer protection for a few years.
• Set an example: Kids often follow their parents, so it is essential that you set a good example for them. Follow a good oral health routine and your kids will follow you.

These tips will help your child adopt good habits and have healthy teeth and gums.

We, at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, organize Cavity-Free Zone program for kids. For details, visit us at at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Computers have become a part of almost every home, school and office and it is very important that kids are aware of its basic functioning. Thus, kids should be exposed to computers at an early stage so that they are well prepared to enter the digital world. Given here are some of the benefits of enrolling your child in a computer skills program.

Educational Benefits

Computer has provided new ways for the children to learn, particularly for those with learning disabilities. Having proficiency with word processing and spreadsheets can be of great help in doing various assignments when they grow up. Computer also offers a number of engaging lessons, interactive games, productivity software and other activities that help the child to expand his knowledge.

Career Benefits

Sufficient knowledge about the computer hardware and software can open the doors of new career opportunities for kids. They will also be able to search for other career options and the educational institutes that can help them reach their goal.

Better Learning Opportunities

In the present world, computers provide as an important learning source for the kids. They have an easy access to vast learning material and programs, can get exposure to people from different communities through social networking as well as retrieve information over a topic much faster by searching over the internet.

Enhance Creativity

Apart from providing ways to learn computers can also be a means for the kids to show up their creative side. It can help them improve problem solving skills, design skills, programming skills as well as improve on various subjects.

Enhanced Motor Skills

Young children can develop their motor skills through various computer activities. Handling the mouse helps the child to practice hand eye coordination while choosing which key to press on the keyboard can also help in exercising of the brain.

At Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas, we focus on developing the overall computer skills of children through various practical programs and activities. We have different programs for the children of various age groups to provide them complete knowledge of computer- starting from basic till advanced. To enroll your child at our club, call at (254) 699 - 5808.