Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, through a national program known as Club Tech, offers youth opportunities to advance their digital and technological knowledge. Club Tech, created by Boys & Girls Clubs of America in partnership with Microsoft, enables Clubs to level the “virtual playing field,” and allow youth of all ages and circumstances access to technology skills that help them discover their world; expand creativity; perform better in school; and eventually take their technology know-how into the workplace. Club Tech helps integrate technology into every aspect of the organization’s fabric – from Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s overall management to Core Programs and Specialized Initiatives. The Club Tech Family of programs consists of:
Skill Tech
Digital Arts Festivals
Internet and Media Safety
Clay Tech, Game Tech, and Robo Tech
As part of Club Tech, technology savvy Duneland Club members delved deeper into the digital photography world by building a camera of their own. Members assemble their own digital, 3D cameras from kits provided by Michael Uzelac, D.D.S. of Dental Arts Group in Valparaiso. It takes two days to build a camera from the kit and, once complete, Club members use their cameras to take pictures highlighting their view of the world. Photographs taken from the newly constructed cameras will then have the opportunity to be entered into the Digital Arts Festival sponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“This project was challenging, fun, and taught our members the value of teamwork and how to follow precise written directions. Our members get to keep their camera, use for their own personal projects, as well as enter their photographs into national competitions. I cannot thank Dr. Uzelac enough for opening the wonderful world of digital arts to our children,” states Joe Juarez, director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Duneland Unit.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. The Clubs provide high quality programs for nearly 5,000 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.