Keystone Teens Are Making Moves!

I regularly read articles and books about the world young people are inheriting from us, climates both environmental and political - ?that’s the way it’s always phrased. “The world we’re leaving to our children,” or “the future our young people will receive.” I have to say, after this past week in Atlanta when we welcomed nearly 1,500 Boys & Girls Clubs of America Keystone teens, I’m less concerned about the world we’re “leaving for them,” and more excited about the future they’re creating for themselves. ?

Now let’s pause briefly, because it’s been pointed out to me recently that I get so excited to talk about what HAPPENS at our Keystone Conference that sometimes I blow right past the question of what IS Keystone. I’m so glad you asked - ?the Keystone Conference is the annual culmination of our year-round Keystone Program, started in 1964, facilitated by and for teens at Clubs with a focus on leadership development, community service, academic success, and career readiness. Conferences began three years later, making this year our 57th Keystone Conference!

These incredible teens came from every state, from Indian Country, and from military Clubs around the globe, and the energy of our Keystoners is like nothing you’ve ever seen – electric with enthusiasm, possibilities, and motivation. ?We kicked off the week with a powerful message from Dr. Bernice A. King , who’s compelling talk on following your passions in the face of adversity by believing in yourself and leaning into the support of the community you are part of, left the teens feeling both inspired and empowered. Dr. King told our teens to hold tight to their dreams, their goals, and their aspirations because, according to her, without a vision in your head it’s too easy to be distracted by something else.

For Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we leverage teen input, consultation with youth development professionals and educators, and survey data when it elevating the issues that matter most to teens in the United States. And we also are constantly using these insights to evolve our programming, ensuring it is timely and relevant for our teen members. Our Keystoners chose from sessions on mental health, time management, career aspirations, advocacy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and so much more. I was so impressed to see which topics our young people cared about the most and how those initiatives reflect the ideals they hold true – authenticity, caring for their community, and leadership. I am honored to be a part of their journey to adulthood, and so proud of the Club staff and volunteers who work with them every day to help them reach their full potential. ?There were opportunities for creative expression with improv and dance classes, and I was privileged to volunteer at a session on youth-led solutions to ending community violence led by teens in conjunction with advocates from Sandy Hook Promise . Every single Keystoner also had the opportunity to get custom fitted for a blazer and have a professional headshot taken. It was incredible to watch them hype each other up in their corporate wear, knowing that their Clubs are empowering them with the tools they need to be career ready and life ready.

While our time at Keystone is impactful, energizing, and motivating, it’s also one of the most fun days of my year, every single year! There was a games room that had fun challenges, races, and those giant hamster balls that teens and staff ran around in. (I’m not saying there’s a video of me rocketing myself right out of one, but I’m also not saying there’s NOT a video of it.) ?We had a volleyball game that somehow turned into a dance-off, a trip to Six Flags, and an inspiring and uplifting talk by actor and philanthropist Corbin Bleu - who shared my sentiments exactly when he told our young people, “The future is yours to create.” Corbin encouraged our teens to use their voices together to impact change, telling them to move with conviction as “the voice of many can move mountains.”

I always wonder what will stick with our teens the most after a Keystone conference, out of the million moments of connection, inspiration, surprise, and delight. What will they take away, each young person sees themselves as integral parts of their Club, their community, and the Keystone experience. But as I cheered our teens on through talent shows, conflict, resolution, and elevation, I found myself looking at their faces not asking “what will you take away from this,” but “what will you give?” What will change in our world because of you? What will you do with what Clubs give you, with what you earned there? Truly, after this last week, I can’t wait to see the future they create.