The James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn is excited to announce a new leadership development opportunity for high school members at the Club! Our Youth of the Year program will prepared members in a variety of important leadership skills and culminate in the naming of our 2021 Joseph L. Drew Youth of the Year.

In a year where Club programming and offerings have never looked so different, the Club is adapting our annual Youth of the Year competition. All interested high school members are eligible and encouraged to participate in our 10 week leadership course. This program will feature 10 workshops to develop youth’s public speaking, interview skills and other important 21st Century Learning skills. Youth will complete the 2021 National Youth of the Year application throughout this program and be eligible to be a finalist for our local Youth of the Year award. Finalists will then go on to compete via an interview process for the title of 2021 Joseph L. Drew Youth of the Year.

If you have an questions about our program or this process, please email Meg at m.gambale@bgcwoburn.org. Keep an eye out on our website for updates from this program and our teens as we move forward!

We can’t believe we are typing this … but it is time to register for the last two weeks of Camp in a Box for this summer! We have traveled the globe, designed structures and board games, explored the Earth and put on an amazing play. It has been so much fun engaging with members virtually and learning new things together. You do not want to miss our last two weeks of this awesome summer program!

All youth, ages 8 and up, are welcome to participate but programs are designed with ages 8 – 12 in mind. The group meets via Zoom, Monday-Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Options for our upcoming weeks are:
Week 7, August 17th – August 21st:
Write On!: Join us as we learn the basics of creative writing. Build your own stories and characters this week and make your way to becoming an author.
Art 101: Club members will spend the week exploring the elements of art! We will learn about famous art pieces and artists before we try our hand at using new elements.
Week 8, August 24th – August 28th:
The Show Must Go Online!: Back by popular demand! We will be hosting another opportunity for members to sharpen our acting skills and practice a script for a small virtual performance. 
Space Invaders: Launch into space with us as we explore the solar system and spend the week among the stars! From building rockets to learning about moon rocks, you’ll be on your way to astronaut status in no time.

Camp in a Box, offers online meetings each afternoon accompanied by a box full of all the supplies you’ll need. There is a one time $30 registration fee and then a weekly $25 program fee.

Members meet with Club staff and their peers to play games and dive into a Club program. This is a great opportunity for members to learn new concepts, get creative and socialize online with friends with a trusted adult mentor. We hope to see you in an upcoming week.

To register, email info@bgcwoburn.org beginning Monday, July 27, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited and fill on a first come, first serve basis. Include the following information:

• Your Name
• Child’s Name
• Child’s Age
• Preferred Email
• Program Choice
• Is your child a Club member?

If you have any questions please reach out to Meg at m.gambale@bgcwoburn.org!

We’re excited to announce our next two weeks of Camp in a Box virtual programming! Camp in a Box, offers online meetings each afternoon accompanied by a box full of all the supplies you’ll need. There is a one time $30 registration fee and then a weekly $25 program fee.

Members meet with Club staff and their peers to play games and dive into a Club program. This is a great opportunity for members to learn new concepts, get creative and socialize online with friends with a trusted adult mentor. We hope to see you in an upcoming week.

Youth, ages 8 and up, are welcome to participate but programs are designed with ages 8 – 12 in mind. The group meets via Zoom, Monday-Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Options for our upcoming weeks are:
Week 5, August 3rd – August 7th:
Extreme Earth: Learn about nature, extreme weather, and ways to problem-solve towards a healthier environment in this earth STEM program!
Time Travelers: Explore different periods of history in this STEAM program and participate in art-focused daily activities.
Week 6, August 10th – August 14th:
Animal Kingdom: Join us for this animal focused STEAM program to learn about animals from around the world through science & art activities.
Gamers Gonna Game: Become a board game designer as we learn what makes a game and end the week creating our own!

To register, email info@bgcwoburn.org beginning Monday, July 27, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited and fill on a first come, first serve basis. Include the following information:

• Your Name
• Child’s Name
• Child’s Age
• Preferred Email
• Program Choice
• Is your child a Club member?

If you have any questions please reach out to Meg at m.gambale@bgcwoburn.org!

We have been having a blast in our new virtual camp experience this week! Members are artists exploring new cultures and game designers developing games around projectiles. We are excited to release information for Week 3 & 4 of Camp in the Box! Check out the information below, including how to register. Registration opens Monday at 9:00 a.m.

Q: Can you tell me more about the program choices?
A: Sure! We tried to pick well rounded options to appeal to all members.
Week 3 Options:
LEGO Science: We will explore some science concepts & participate in daily challenges using LEGOs! Having your some of your own LEGOs will help this week!
The Show Must Go Online!: Work together to learn how to put on a production. Those interested should feel comfortable having their camera on, performing & reading from a script!
Week 4 Options:
Rise or Fall? Tower Challenge: Explore the engineering behind towers! From learning about famous ones to daily challenges to create the tallest, strongest, sturdiest towers, this will be a fun week of STEM.
Science of Senses: Explore your 5 senses and participate in daily experiments to learn more about sight, sound, smell and touch!

Q: How do I register?
A: Registration opens Monday, July 13th at 9:00 a.m. and will be done via email. Space is limited and registration will be on a first come, first serve basis.

To register, email info@bgcwoburn.org at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, 7/13/2020 with the following information. Please complete this information once for each of your children.

• Your Name
• Child’s Name
• Child’s Age
• Preferred Email
• Program Choice
• Is your child a Club member?

Q: What can I expect with a week of Camp in a Box?
A: Families will pick up a box of supplies to compliment the activities & programs in your chosen breakout session. Almost all needed supplies will be provided!

Q: What ages can participate?
A: All youth 8 and older are welcome to sign up, but programs may be more enjoyable for those ages 8-12.

Q: Can I register for all 4 program choices?
A: Unfortunately no, the two program choices each week happen simultaneously so you can only sign up for one program per week.

Q: How do I pay my fees?
A: Once you send your registration you will receive confirmation email with instructions on how to pay online.

Q: Who can I contact with more questions?
A: Please email Meg at m.gambale@bgcwoburn.org with further questions.

We are excited to announce our virtual camp experience, Camp in a Box!

Q: What can I expect with a week of Camp in a Box?
A: Families will pick up a box of supplies to compliment the activities & programs in your chosen breakout session. Almost all needed supplies will be provided!

Q: What ages can participate?
A: All members 8 and older are welcome to sign up, but these programs are best suited for our 8-12 year olds.

Q: Can you tell me more about the program choices?
A: Sure! We tried to pick well rounded options to appeal to all members.
Art Adventures: Daily art projects designed to explore new parts of the world! SOLD OUT!
Finger Flickers: Learn about projectiles and complete daily STEM challenges.
Boot Camp: Specialized daily workouts & fitness challenges!
Photography: You’ll need a device that takes pictures & we’ll teach the basics.

Q: How do I register?
A: Registration opens Monday, June 22, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. and will be done via email. Space is limited and registration will be on a first come, first serve basis.

To register, email info@bgcwoburn.org at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, 6/22/2020 with the following information. Please complete this information once for each of your child.

• Your Name
• Member’s Name
• Member’s Age
• Preferred Email
• Program Choice
• Is your child a Club member?

Q: Can I register for all 4 program choices?
A: Unfortunately no, the two program choices each week happen simultaneously so you can only sign up for one program per week.

Q: How do I pay my fees?
A: Once you send your registration you will receive confirmation email with instructions on how to pay your fee online. If fees are a barrier for your participation, please email Meg!

Q: Who can I contact with more questions?
A: Please email Meg at m.gambale@bgcwoburn.org with further questions.

Submit your art work to be included in our Drive By Art Show! Every two weeks the Club will post a prompt for all members to submit art to the Club. Art will be hung in the Club’s windows for families to drive by and enjoy! 

This week’s prompt is Be BIG & BOLD. Create a piece of art on a recycled canvas (newspaper, box, cardboard) that shows your interpretation of living big & bold! Submit your art to the labeled bin at the Club.  Please include your name, age, and an artist statement expressing what your piece represents & was inspired by! Art cannot be bigger than 30” x 30”.  Submissions are due to the Club on Monday, May 18th by 4:00 p.m.

All art will be on display by Wednesday, May 20th. Winners will be chosen in each age group: 8-10, 11-13, and 14-18. 

We can’t wait to see what you come up with! 

We’ve revamped our Spring Schedule in the hopes of better serving our youth & teens.  We’re keeping all the favorites, but adding some more focused programming by grade level and adding some special new things! 

Check out the full schedule for the week here: JLMBGCWoburn Virtual Program Schedule!

Every morning the links to join and activity descriptions are shared via email. If you have not yet receiving these emails please fill out the Virtual Program Permission form to be added to this email list! 

We look forward to hanging out with you in the virtual Clubhouse soon! 

Kick in for Kids is a favorite, annual community event that supports the McKeown Boys & Girls Club.  To keep the tradition alive this year & raise needed funds for our kids, we have decided to go virtual! Join us now here: bit.ly/5kforkids!

Did you know that in the midst of the COVID-19 public health crisis, our Boys & Girls Club is still there for our community? Nearly overnight, our staff team built out a “virtual Clubhouse” offering a variety of ways to keep kids and families healthy, safe and engaged during the “safer at home” advisory. In addition, we have been connecting with community resources to meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable families.

However, the crisis has also dried up nearly all of our funding sources. When families get back to work in the coming months, they are going to rely on the Club more than ever before and we want to prepare as best we can to meet those needs. To do so, we need the support of our community!

What:  Walk or run a 5K on your own around your neighborhood!
When:  Any time between Sunday, May 3, 2020 and Saturday, May 9, 2020.

Here’s How to Participate:
 – Head to bit.ly/5kforkids to get started!
 – “Join” if you want to create your own fundraising team or join an existing team. Or, simply “Donate” to support our Club through this virtual race.
 – Share with your networks to help us spread the word! (Example: “I just donated to #5KforKids to support the McKeown Boys & Girls Club!  I challenge these 5 friends to join me:  …  Get going & give! bit.ly/5kforkids”)
 – When you go out to do your 5K, please be sure to stay safe & healthy by practicing safe social distancing and also covering your face if needed.
 – After you complete your 5K, post a picture on social media & use the hashtag #5KforKids to promote health & fitness among our entire community.
 – Print, decorate and wear your own Kick in for Kids race bib if you’d like! 

We are excited to offer some great new programs & activities moving into this new week!  Check out the wide variety of offerings to get involved in this week. We have structured activities, service learning meetings (new times, check out the schedule!), daily workouts & trivia and games. All offerings last 30 to 50 minutes. 

Each morning, the Club emails out daily program updates that include the activities being offered, any supplies needed and the information to join in for the day. If you are not yet receiving these emails, please fill out the form here!  You only need to fill this out once. If you have completed it and are not receiving emails, please connect with Meg.

The Club is looking for new art work and we need your help! 

We are holding an art contest to create new Club thank you cards. Use this Art Contest Template and add drawings, color and words about why you love the Club and how the Club makes you feel.  Try to fill up all the white space and be as creative as you like!

You can print the template at home or pick one up from the folder on the Club’s front door. Submissions are due Monday, April 27, 2020 by 7:00 p.m. Email Meg your entry or drop it at the Club in the dropbox at the front door.

We look forward to seeing all our creative entries.