BGCA Facts
In what year was Boys & Girls Clubs of America founded?
1860
Name one of the four elements of a high-quality Club experience.
Supportive Relationships, Safe & Positive Environment, Youth Voice & Choice, or Skill Building.
Name one of the Ravens Club Family Commitments.
Kindness is Quarterback
We Own Our Plays
Respect the Nest
Huddle Up
Play Smart. Play Safe.
How often should staff conduct head counts during a field trip?
Before departure, upon arrival, before leaving locations, after restroom/meals, before returning, and upon arrival back at the Club.
True or False:
The human brain is fully developed by age 18.
False. The brain continues developing until approximately age 25.
What city was the first Boys Club founded in?
Hartford, Connecticut
Staff greets, checks, in and celebrates a youth...
Supportive Relationships
A youth is walking through the building without a hall pass. What should you do?
Redirect the youth respectfully, ask where they are going, and ensure they have a hall pass before continuing through the building.
True or False:
If youth are engaged in an activity, staff can gather together to talk as long as they can still see the group.
False
Which part of the brain develops last?
The prefrontal cortex (decision-making, impulse control, planning, judgment).
Why was the original Boys Club created?
To provide a safe, positive place for boys who spent much of their time on the streets and lacked constructive activities and adult guidance.
Youth are allowed to choose between two activities and help decide the group's end-of-day celebration.
Youth Voice and Choice
A youth accidentally breaks a supply, apologizes, and helps clean it up.
Which Club Family Commitment are they demonstrating?
We own our plays!
A staff member says, "I thought another adult was watching them."
What field trip safety principle was violated?
Never assume someone else is supervising a child.
True or False:
Young people may know the rules and still struggle to consistently follow them because their brains are still developing.
True
In what year did Boys Clubs officially become Boys & Girls Clubs?
1990
A program is fun and well-managed, but youth are not learning anything new or developing new skills.
Which element of a high-quality program is missing?
Skill-building
A youth becomes frustrated during a game and starts yelling at teammates.
Which Club Family Commitment should staff use to guide the conversation?
Huddle Up
(We listen, talk things through, solve problems together, and use our voices—not our hands.)
A youth asks to use the restroom alone while on a field trip.
Youth should not leave alone. Use the buddy system and maintain supervision outside the restroom.
A teenager makes a risky decision despite knowing better. What is one developmental reason this may happen?
The prefrontal cortex is still developing, affecting impulse control and decision-making.
Approximately how many young people does Boys & Girls Clubs of America serve annually across the United States?
More than 4 million!
A youth says: "I don't feel comfortable speaking up in this group." Which element of a high-quality program should staff focus on strengthening first?
Safe & Positive Environment
What is Positive Behavior Guidance?
Teaching, coaching, and redirecting youth toward positive choices while building skills and relationships rather than simply punishing mistakes.
You're preparing to leave a field trip location. What are the 5 critical steps before the bus pulls away?
Why is Positive Behavior Guidance more effective than punishment alone?
Because youth are still developing skills like self-regulation, problem-solving, impulse control, and emotional management.