Boys and Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a program that was introduced in the 1860’s in Hartford Connecticut. “Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club. A cause was born.” Now made up of more than 4,300 clubs and in their 103rd year, the goal of these clubs is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Boys & Girls Clubs across the country offer a range of programs that, according to the organization’s website, “Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life.” Programs are offered in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, technology, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics with the overall desire for the children to “reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” In the 1990s, Boys & Girls Clubs began using computer labs and technology-related access and learning opportunities into their activities. This paper discuses the opportunities of the role of technology in the after school programs and the preparation of youth for the 21st century workforce by improving technical skills along with reinforcing positive social development.
Technology in Boys & Girls Clubs is providing computer access for many youth who wouldn’t have technology access. It is being used to build technical skills and improve other learning goals. Computer use shows that learning and the technology of modern society are essential to the mission of clubs. “A computer enables users to search and access data bits anywhere on the planet. Multimedia audio and video material is readily available to entertain and inform. Email provides for interpersonal communication