Cash donations of any size are always welcome and can be directed to a specific program of your choice or left to us to determine the greatest need. Gifts can be made on a one-time basis or in the form of a pledge over several years. We endeavour to provide appropriate public recognition if so desired, however, we respect the rights of our supporters with regard to anonymity. Following is a list of programs that require on-going support.

Community Clubs
At Boys & Girls Clubs we believe it is all about relationships, relationships, relationships! Most of us can identify a significant relationship with an adult during our childhood that really helped us become what we are today. The staff at our Community Clubs build those relationships every day through a variety of after-school and evening programs, day programs on Professional Development Days and school holidays including Spring Break. After-school programs are aimed at children ranging from 5-14 and each club incorporates theme based programming which rotate during the month. Themes include Creative Kitchen, Dramarama, The Great Outdoors, Hodge-Podge, Arts & Crafts, Woodworking, and Out & About - all aimed at providing social, recreational and educational opportunities in a safe and fun environment. Each day participants also have free time to enjoy such things as playing pool, ping pong, foosball, board games, dress-up, crafts, surfing the net and playing video games.

Evening programs for youth varying in ages from 10 to 18 are also offered in each club and include sports like floor hockey, rock climbing, and gym games. Teen drop-in, peer discussion, girls only, boys only, and support groups are offered during the evening as well. Throughout the year all the Clubs offer workshops and training in Youth Leadership, Babysitting Courses, outdoor activities and specialized arts and crafts.

City Central Club (1240 Yates Street, 384-9133 ext. 222) offers after-school drop in programs Monday to Friday for children aged 10-14 Facilities include a full size gym, kitchen, climbing wall, computer lab, pottery studio and woodworking shop. Evening programs for youth 10-14 are currently available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Central Saanich Club (7162B West Saanich Road, 652-3021) offers after-school drop in programs for children aged 6-11 from Monday to Friday. Evening programs are available for kids from 10-18 from Monday to Thursday.

Harbourside Esquimalt Club (410 Macaulay Street, 380-9250) provides licensed after-school care for children ages 5-11. Evening programs are available for kids from 8-18 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Millstream Club (626 Hoylake Road at Millstream Elementary School, 478-0721) provides licensed after-school care for children ages 5-11 from Monday to Friday. Evening programs are available for kids aged 9-12 on Monday and Thursday.

Earth Adventures Summer Day Camps
Boys and Girls Clubs are more than a place to go. They are a place to grow and we have developed summer programs that help children do just that. Our Earth Adventures Day Camps operate throughout the summer for children and youth ages 6 to 13. Based in Metchosin with over 100 acres of forests, trails, meadows and ponds, we are only a short walk away from Witty's Lagoon and the ocean. Our day camps provide valuable opportunities for young people to not only explore the outer world through hiking, canoeing and climbing but also to explore their 'inner' world utilizing drama and arts and crafts activities and just simply interacting with fellow campers and summer staff.

Ascent - Adventure Based Learning
To ascend is to move upward as in attaining higher knowledge or climbing a mountain. Both examples indicate a gain in personal growth or understanding. As a guiding principle, the Ascent Program aims to deliver quality outdoor experiences and education that allow the participants to move forward or 'ascend' in ways that improve their quality of their lives. From learning physical skills to gaining insight into group dynamics, participants will be involved in activities that will challenge, educate, reward and replenish them physically, emotionally and mentally.

With the focus being Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning, Ascent designs and delivers programming to school and community groups, local businesses as well as offering new opportunities for existing Agency Programs. The use of the Coastline Challenges Camp and assets allows participants a safe, supportive learning environment in a natural setting. Activities can range from a half-day of experiential games to multi-day wilderness expeditions.

Rite of Me
is a series of 8 workshops held once per week and uses a collaborative approach to integrating young urban based 11 - 14 year old girls to the wilderness and experiential education realm. It is recognized that females seem to have more difficulty delving into outdoor activities than males. This program is aimed at encouraging the experience with an easier transition, at the same time offering healthy choices and lifestyles.

Circle of Friends
is a program intended for children ages 6 - 9 years old who are coping with some type of a loss. Loss can be experienced in many ways: death of a loved one or a pet, parental separation or divorce, moving, adoption, changing schools, change in health or loss of a friendship. Circle of Friends provides an opportunity for children to share their feelings with peers in a safe environment. A variety of games, crafts, and activities will be used to help the children learn to identify and address their feelings. By sharing their feelings together, children learn that they are not alone in their grief.
An additional group session was added in the fall of 2002 for pre-teen (10 & 11 year olds) children.

Parents Together
is a province-wide network of support groups whose mission is to reduce conflict within families that, in turn, will build stronger family relationships. Groups discuss everything from communication skills to anger management, abuse, sibling abuse, stress management and self-esteem. Cynthia Morton, former BC Children's Commissioner, said, "Parenting is the most complex and important job in our society, yet often parents do not have the supports they need to fulfill this role." Well, this is one program that is dedicated to and for parents but there is a very important added attraction - the teenagers benefit as well!

Signs
is a new program that is being piloted in our 2003/2004 program year. Signs will provide early diagnosis and intervention for children aged 8-12 who are demonstrating severe behaviour issues within our after-school programs and who may also be experiencing difficulties in school, the community and their family. These children, through their behaviour, are at risk of suspension at school and removal from or inadmission to out of school services. Their parents struggle to cope with their child's behaviour without adequate support, creating further conflict within the home.

This action-oriented program will offer support to these children through relationship building, skills development, supported referrals and advocacy. Parents will simultaneously receive support in increasing their capabilities in such areas as: conflict resolution, communication skills, practical problem solving and understanding their role in advocacy.

Workshop/Event Sponsorships

These are areas where local businesses would have the opportunity to demonstrate their support for their community by sponsoring workshops and other events. Depending on the level of support, the workshop or event could carry the donor's company name and logo and would be included all advertisements.

Some of the parenting workshops we have held in the past include: Learning Disabilities, Youth Suicide Prevention, Kids and Drugs, Developing Capable People, Parents as Preventors, and Grief and Loss, Parenting without Power Struggles, Concurrent Disorders and Sexual Exploitation.

The major events we hold include Monopoly Madness (March), Children's Carnival & Fun Fair (May) and the U-Select Charity Golf Tournament (September).

We urge you to contact us if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for our workshop series or one of our major fundraising events. Please call Kate Mansell at 478-3872 or 384-9133 or email her at kmansell@bgcvic.org.