Youth club

File:Millenium Powerhouse.jpg

Millennium Powerhouse youth centre in Moss Side, Manchester, UK

A youth club or youth social club is a place where young people can meet and participate in activities such as football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, or video games, or religious activities.

Young social groups

Many youth clubs are set up to provide young people with activities designed to keep them off the streets and out of trouble, and to give them a job and an interest in activity. Some youth clubs can have a particular compelling force, such as music, spiritual/religious guidance and advice or characteristics such as determination.

In the United Kingdom, there are a number of national youth club networks, including:

• UK Youth
• Ambition
• National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs

In the United States, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of the most popular (or well known) youth clubs.

Projects and activities

Many youth clubs and projects are open to all people aged 10–21, although some clubs may still accept young people as old as 25. They are places where young people can meet with friends and practise new activities. Many youth clubs offer various activities, such as table tennis.

Youth clubs are there to help young people understand the world around them. They are there to advise young people with their future,to talk about the past and even help them with the present. Many clubs hold different sessions to educate young people about different topics regarding their health and worries, e.g. contraception. Youth clubs normally have a leader youth worker who normally organises trips or workshops for the young people to contribute in, e.g. Show Racism the Red Card. They can also hold charity events and even volunteer to do many different things. Youth clubs will sometimes help young people to gain qualifications for their life ahead, e.g. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

See also

• List of youth organizations
• Salford Lads Club