Youth Clubs
Youth clubs are normally based around regular weekly sessions over a long period of time, normally two years or more. The club members are usually friends. Youth clubs have developmental goals defined by the needs and capacities of the members.
In 2009 there will be at least 10 youth clubs. Some examples:
Junior Cadets: This club has 50 members aged 10 – 12. The programme runs every weekday 5-days a week, after school. There are four sub-groups which each meet twice between Monday and Thursday to take part in a range of developmental and fun activities. Each Friday all 50 members are invited to attend the junior Open Friday, wherein they have access to the entire Reco facilities, including the sports hall, the restaurant, CITY Internet access and a youth club room to relax and play.
To get an update on some of there most recent activities see here
Early Teens Youth Clubs: These are clubs of 6-14 members whoe are 13 or 14 year-old: they meet each week with a strong emphasis on personal development.
Pussycat Dolls: The young women (15-17) in this group have been together as a youth club for over 3 years and have built up excellent relationships with their youth workers. The group is currently finishing a programme around youth mental health supported by Headstrong. As part of this programme the members will work on a project relating to their lives in Ballymun and will plan a number of residentials. The individuals are also supported in their life choices regarding education and home life.
Open Monday: This is an open club for 15s and over. It runs every Monday evening and the whole Reco is available for the 30-60 participants to get involved in a range of informally organised activity (fitness, music, Internet access, information sessions...), food and just a friendly environment. Most of the participants are drawn from the 100+ former members of smaller youth clubs, who have outgrown the classic small club model.