Where did the project take place?

• The project took place in Alameda, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What were the goals of the project?

• The overall goal of the project was to provide our Club members with an educational, environmental stewardship-themed, 6-week module about vermicomposting within our urban farm. The project included designing and building the worm farm, purchasing worms, providing regular maintenance, and providing education to our youth.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The Alameda Boys & Girls Club expanded our composting system with this project by building and incorporating a worm farm into our curriculum. Composting reduces food waste and creates a rich organic fertilizer for our ¼-acre farm for better food production to feed our local community. The project also impacted our Club members by teaching them the importance of environmental sustainability.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• When chopping down the excess produce to feed the worms, Luna, age 9, mentioned how she was grateful to be able to prepare an early Thanksgiving meal for the worms. It reminded her of times when she helped her mom in the kitchen.
• Analeyah, age 10, was apprehensive about the whole “insect thing” that was part of the curriculum. After a few lessons that helped her understand that invertebrates are a key component in breaking down organic matter, she recognized that these little critters are crucial to our planet. She even handled a palmful of worms!

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at the Freetown Village Boys & Girls Club in Pasadena, Maryland.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals of the project were for Club members to:
  • Be more connected with nature through being informed about butterflies.
  • Learn how to develop a habitat for species that are going extinct.
  • Get involved in solving problems related to environmental changes and issues.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The STEM Butterfly Project was a hands-on learning opportunity for Club members to focus on learning about butterflies. For example, members learned how butterflies help the environment as pollinators and how to protect various species from going extinct. Members learned how butterflies live in their environment and how they go through the stages of life. They also learned about various species of butterflies and popular spaces to find them. Lastly, members created butterfly houses that will be displayed in our community of Freetown Village and our local parks.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I really enjoy knowing that I can make a difference helping butterflies survive.” —Sy’riah
• “Aww, my butterfly house will attract a lot of butterflies, and it will keep them safe.” —Teyana
• “Now that their house is built, next spring we should see plenty of butterflies.” —Kimora

Where did the project take place?

• Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community 

What were the goals of the project?

• To inform the people how safe the water is within the community by measuring pH levels.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The STEM Water Project would affect everyone living in the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian community and anyone using the water within the community. The youth hoped to bring great awareness to the community and the youth living here who use the water for many different things — such as having pets outside, watering plants, drinking from the faucet, and/or washing dirty clothes. The youth planned for this project to change the minds of others in the community to take better care of the water we have here. They wanted to help the community thrive on the water, and they wanted to share all the information they collected over time from different places that are most visited.  

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• The youth were all very excited to participate and collect data. While they collected data, they would talk with each other about the sites being tested. One youth said, “I hope it tests okay. We drink this water.”
• Another said, “That’s why we’re testing to see if any [results] come up different!” 

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place in the adjacent community field behind our building.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals for the youth participating in the project were to clean up the community field and to reduce pollution in the community.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The STEM Mentoring mentees and mentors picked up trash and out-of-place debris after the local 4th of July fireworks display. The group also went to the little river near the Boys & Girls Club and cleaned up the riverbank and surrounding area.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “The community is clean. If you don’t keep the Earth clean, it’s going to be dirty, and if the community is dirty, we will be unhealthy. I feel good and happy that I was able to help the community.” —Ana

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place in the backyard of Lamont Boys & Girls Club.

What were the goals of the project?

• Identify pollinators and why they are beneficial to Earth.
• Determine what we can do to help pollinators and what our role can be.
• Select the location, design, and plants for the garden.
• Create the Pollinator Garden for the Lamont Club.
• Emphasize team bonding, mentorship, and leadership development.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The first significant impact of this project is that we learned about our pollinator friends — such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies — and how beneficial they are to us. The subsequent impact will be to see the effect on the production of the vegetable garden, which is right next to the new Pollinator Garden. Finally, the garden has created another safe space for Club members and staff to take a mental break, read a book in a quiet place, or check in with one another.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I’m excited to do my homework in the garden and have a quiet area.” —Emma
• “I can’t wait to see the butterflies and birds come to visit us.” —Jade
• “I’m excited to learn about the plants that are growing in the garden.” —Ricardo

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at our Club site — the Armstrong Youth Center in Bakersfield, California.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goal of this project was to inform our mentees and peer mentors, as well as our staff, about the proper way to recycle, why we recycle, and the benefits of recycling.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• When we started the recycling program, our mentees and peer mentors only knew about how to recycle cans and bottles because that’s what they were used to seeing or hearing about. The project started off with a presentation from the City of Bakersfield’s Waste Management Department (Keep Bakersfield Beautiful) to all the Club members and program staff. For our sessions throughout the project, we gave our mentees information about different things we can recycle and what the different colors on “Trash Cans” or Bins represent. The hands-on activities allowed the mentees and peer mentors to monitor and change the recycling bins every week to make sure our Club was recycling the proper way.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

•  “It was fun. I learned that the process of turning compost into fertilizer takes 40–80 days.” —Christopher
• “[I learned] that people should learn the proper way to recycle. Because it is hard for the waste management companies to separate compost from the trash or recyclables from trash.” —Eli

Where did the project take place?

• The peer mentors and mentees selected several parks in the Bakersfield community: Hart Memorial Park, Jastro Park, Beale Park, and the area around both E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center and Stockdale Club in Bakersfield, California. 

What were the goals of the project?

• The goal of the project was to teach mentors and mentees how pollution is affecting not only our planet but the animals as well.  Our goal was to make our community look better and feel safe by cleaning up parks and around our community. 

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• As part of an environmental stewardship project, cleaning up the parks and area around the Club positively affected the community — particularly the STEM mentors and mentees. The environmental stewardship project educated our peer mentors and mentees on the issue of litter in our community, especially our community parks. It engaged them to take greater responsibility for improving their community. The peer mentors took the lead in selecting the areas of Bakersfield to focus their clean-up efforts. We received feedback from the community during the clean-ups that they loved seeing how our youth were helping make our parks and community feel better for others. 

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• Bobby B. (Peer Mentor) – “I now see why cleaning up our community can leave a positive impact on others and how one act of kindness can go a long way.”  
• Alaja G. (Peer Mentor) – “I realize that giving back is always the best way to go and that my future will always be bright here at the Boys & Girl’s Club of Kern County because we are always helping out others in our community.”  
• Semya (Peer Mentor) – “The cleaner it is, the better for the people around you.”  
• Noah (Mentee) – “We got to see others in our community help clean our parks.”  
• Christopher (Mentee) – “It was fun because I was able to do something positive with my friends.”  
• Brianna (Mentee) – “I got to experience helping the earth.”  
• Leeland (Mentee) – “I was able to help the environment in a positive way.”  
• Lea (Mentee) – “It was fun and interesting to see what people just throw on the floor.”  

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at the back of our building on the east side at the Clarkston Club.

What were the goals of the project?

• Learn about pollinators and why we want them.
• Learn about plants that attract pollinators.
• Create our own pollinator/butterfly garden.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• We decided to create a pollinator garden at our Boys & Girls Club. As you will note from our pictures, we have quite a bit of grass (soccer field) but no flowers/plants to speak of. We started out by contacting our Extension Office to speak to a master gardener and then to our local nursery to learn more about our area and how to go about creating a pollinator garden. That information was shared with our mentors, and we put together a plan to use some space in our backyard.
• We presented the idea to some of our 7- and 8-year-old mentees, and they were thrilled to hear about the project. We met multiple times over two months. We learned about pollinators and why we need them. We learned about plants that attract pollinators, and we all made design plans for the space we were going to use. Mentors and mentees all helped pull weeds and cultivate the soil. This took some time since the area had not been used for anything before. Once the area was ready, plants were purchased and the mentees, along with their mentors, got to work planting. They finished up the area by spreading mulch all around the plants.
• Finally, our mentors and mentees had fun creating air-dry ceramic sculptures to put in our garden.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I had a lot of fun because I got to make statues and plant flowers!” —Weston
• “My favorite thing about the garden is planting!” —Georgana
• “It was so fun planting and digging.” —Teddy
• “It was so fun making statues, planting, and spending time at the Club.” —Jaxon

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at our Boys & Girls Club in Yankton, South Dakota.

What were the goals of the project?

• One goal was to install a butterfly house/bug hotel and a rain collection barrel into our garden area at the Boys & Girls Club. Another goal was to teach the Club members about how these specific things would help improve the yield that our garden produces each year.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• During the summer and early fall months, the produce that is grown in our Boys & Girls Club garden is utilized in dinners that are made for our Yankton Club members. This Environmental Stewardship Project allowed us to install tools to increase the amount of food that can be grown in our garden to provide healthy dinners for our Club members.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• N/A

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at our Boys & Girls Club at Leonards Lane in Cambridge, Maryland, the Choptank River, and the Boys & Girls Club at Truitt Community Center.

What were the goals of the project?

• Some of the goals included teaching the kids about the importance of the environment, how the environment impacts their everyday lives, the importance of soil and plants, and how plants provide oxygen.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• This project made an impact on how our members learned the importance of taking care of the environment and how to protect the environment by recycling, not polluting the rivers, and how we should not throw trash out on the ground. They learned about how much water is important to us as human beings. Club members decorated flowerpots, planned a park, planted seeds, and planted flowers. After running the project through its entirety, it impacted everyone positively. When it came to the staff, it not only taught us ways to help the environment but also gave us a way to relate to the kids. It helped the kids by teaching them ways to improve the environment. Lastly, it impacted the parents, as they see what the kids have done. The best activity for us was “plan a park.” The Truitt Club members got the most enjoyment from being able to be artistic.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “The best thing I learned from STEM Mentoring program was the water cycle and how to work as a team.” —Caysa
• “My favorite part was making friends and doing different activities.”—Di’Vonna
• “My favorite part was [doing] different team-building activities.” —Jax
• “I had fun planting because I have done it before with my mom.” —Jaylen

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at the East Side Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals were for the participating youth to learn about watersheds and the impact of litter on the waterways.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• We used the STEM Mentoring World of Water curriculum as a guide. The mentees learned about the water cycle, pollution, watersheds, and the impact that pollution has on our water. They were also able to participate in our communities’ Creek Week — a community-wide initiative to clean areas near waterways in Pueblo County. In fact, our group participated in two cleanups. They were most excited to do the water testing.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I think we should do a cleanup every week. It’s important to keep our water clean.” — Amiya
• “I want to test my water at home and the lake. I think it would be interesting.” —Allison
• “I can’t believe how much a raindrop spends in the atmosphere! Do you know how many times I was in the atmosphere today?” — Melvin

Where did the project take place?

• Our Creek Week Cleanup activity took place at Minnequa Lake in Pueblo, Colorado. Our other five sessions took place in the science room at the Minnequa Clubhouse.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals of the project were for Club members to be able to identify what water pollution is, where it comes from, and how it passes through the food chain.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• We did a session from the STEM Mentoring World of Water curriculum every Tuesday from September 12 through October 24. We discussed the importance of water, the water cycle, water pollution, and how pollution passes through the food chain. We used interactive activities and trivia to build knowledge and explore these topics. On October 5, 12 Club members traveled to Minnequa Lake to do a trash pickup. We discussed what animals live around Pueblo and rely on the water sources throughout Pueblo County and how the animals use the lands around the water. By the end of the program, we removed one large bag of trash from Minnequa Lake, and the Club members were able to describe how water becomes polluted, explain how pollution passes through the food chain, and describe the steps of the water cycle.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I had a really fun time and I want to go back to the lake.” —Christabell
• “I want to do more to stop big companies from polluting the rivers.” —Nathan
• “I want to keep our lakes and rivers clean because I don’t want the animals to have to eat trash or swim in dirty water.” —Tatianna

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at the Cesar Chavez Academy Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County and the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

What were the goals of the project?

• The objective of the project was to raise awareness around spawning trout and their redds (spawning beds). Pueblo is located next to the Arkansas River with two different trout species that spawn in the fall and the springtime. The Arkansas River is a unique river that provides fishing year-round, attracting many visitors from around Colorado and out of state during the fall and the spring. The trails along the Arkansas River lack signs and pamphlets informing the public about spawning trout. By having our members create informative pamphlets, the goal was to raise awareness around redds and the importance of protecting them.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The project impacted those within our community who fish in the Arkansas River and our organization’s members. Our members gained a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation and what makes the Pueblo ecosystem invaluable. The mentees learned about redds and protecting the habitats where trout spawn, and they developed a long-term sense of responsibility to protect the local watershed. During the project, our mentees had the opportunity to visit the Arkansas River. For a majority of them, it was their first time. Our youth were able to make a connection with the information learned and identify the importance of the trout spawning stewardship project. What made it impactful was that the river was only a 10-minute drive from the Clubhouse. Some of our members were pleasantly surprised at seeing a pristine river that was nearby.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “The importance of this is learning about the rainbow and brown trout — about the spawn and sometimes how hard it is for them. They are both different, but they are trout.” —Sumayah
• “It was fun. It took a lot of our learning to the site. It was cool to see all the animals and fish [and] it was cool to learn about the nature.” —Kristalin 
• “[I learned] to not stomp on eggs, cause it’s bad for the environment.” —Emiliano

Where did the project take place?

• The cat houses were built at the East Side Clubhouse over a series of days, but they are currently located in various areas of the community where we hope they will remain and be used for years to come. 

What were the goals of the project?

• The students’ main goal was to provide housing for feral cats in the Pueblo community. Additionally, they wanted to inform more of the community of the needs and presence of these animals. 

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• This project was a continuation of a project that some of these students began through the Service-Learning Challenge in Destination Imagination. It was designed to help the feral cats throughout the Pueblo community by providing them with safe places to sleep that do not lead to them destroying community areas in their pursuit of shelter. This project was also used to teach new students about the project and the needs of our community and to create a few new community advocates.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “Working on these cat houses was an amazing experience. I learned many new skills during the project that I can use in the future. These cat houses are going to go to communities where the feral cats need shelter. I enjoyed doing this project and think it was a great success. I can’t wait to work on more projects in the future that can benefit the community.” — Sami O. 

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place in the town of Isabela, Puerto Rico. The participants conducted their project at four beaches in the municipality.

What were the goals of the project?

• The main objective of the project was to raise awareness among participants about the importance of taking care of our natural resources. Another goal was to promote a sense of belonging and the importance of not littering. The project aimed to keep the beaches clean and to have a safe environment for animals and people.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• Three mentors and 12 mentees participated in the project. The mentees and mentors spent six sessions exploring different topics related to cleaning up beaches. In addition, the youth visited four beaches and worked together to collect trash at each beach. They also joined forces with the Coco P.R. organization to participate in a massive beach cleanup.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I really liked being able to help the beaches.” —Aleiram
• “I really liked the possibility we have of helping the environment. I would like this to continue.” —Jayven

Where did the project take place?

• Isabela, Puerto Rico

What were the goals of the project?

• The objective of the project was the integration of the kids in our Boys & Girls Club of Isabela to take care of the beaches in our community. Through this project, we intend to keep the beaches clean so we can have a safe environment for animals and people. Also, to encourage the importance of environmental conservation to kids. Due to this, the main focus was picking up trash at the beaches in Isabela, Puerto Rico.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The project consisted of cleaning the beaches of the town of Isabela. The project intended to integrate the participants of STEM Mentoring and Keystone Club. Through this project, the town of Isabela, the marine animals, and the community’s tourism were impacted.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• Aracelys: “Since the beginning, I always kept in mind that the project was going to positively impact our community because Isabela is a town known for its beautiful beaches. They needed and still need maintenance, but we at least contributed a little to their cleanliness and, at the same time, involved more youth.”
• Jeanielys: “The impact that the project had for me was achieving support from other youth and encouraging other groups to clean the beaches so we can help our community faster.”

¿Dónde se llevó a cabo el proyecto?

• Isabela, Puerto Rico

¿Cuáles eran los objetivos del proyecto?

• El objetivo del proyecto fue la integración de niños de nuestra casa Club de Isabela en el cuidado de las playas de la comunidad. Mediante el mismo se pretende mantener las playas limpias para tener un ambiente seguro para los animales y las persona. A su vez fomentar la importancia de la conservación del ambiente en los niños. Por ende el enfoque principal fue el recogido de basura de las playas de Isabela, Puerto Rico.

Proporcione una descripción general del proyecto. ¿Sobre a quién y qué impactó el proyecto?

• El proyecto consiste en la limpieza de playa del municipio de Isabela. El mismo pretende la integración de los participantes del grupo STEM Mentoring y Keystone Club. Mediante el proyecto se impactó a la comunidad isabelina, los animales marinos y el turismo del Municipio.

Comparta cualquier cita o declaración de los jóvenes sobre su trabajo en el proyecto y el impacto que tuvo en ellos y/o en su comunidad.

• Aracelys: “Desde un comienzo siempre tuve presente que el proyecto iba a impactar positivamente a mi comunidad ya que Isabela es un pueblo reconocido por sus hermosas playas. Necesitaban y necesitan mantenimiento, pero por medio de nosotros logramos contribuir un poquito a la limpieza y a su vez envolver a más jóvenes.”
• Jeanielys: “El impacto que tuvo el proyecto para mí fue lograr recibir apoyo de otros jóvenes y fomentar en otros grupos la limpieza de playas para así poder ayudar a nuestra comunidad más rápido.”

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place in local areas including North Elementary School, the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud – Antelope, and Antelope Lake.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals of the project were to care for and feed monarch butterflies and to clean up Antelope Lake.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The project helped the youth understand how to plant and transplant milkweed and how to care for monarch butterflies by providing them with food. Monarch butterflies are going extinct, and the monarch larvae feed only on milkweed, so here at the Club we want to make an impact by trying to save them. We also picked up the trash at Antelope Lake — allowing it to be cleaner and better for swimmers, fishers, and anyone else who comes to the lake throughout the year. It’s a beautiful place of nature and has amphibians.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• Next time, we should do this all day! I like the fresh air.” —Anthony
• “That was fun! I like learning and helping the butterflies.” —Josh
• “Can we do more stuff like this again? It’s fun!” —Brittney
• “I had a milkweed farm once. They are going to love it!” —Emma
• “This is so cool” —Leo
• “I’m happy I get to enjoy doing stuff like this at Club.” —Hunter
• “I hope the butterflies like it.” —Briella

Where did the project take place?

• Our project took place at our Mar Vista Clubhouse and our local beach, Marina del Rey, in Los Angeles County, California.

What were the goals of the project?

• One goal of the Butterfly Garden was to inform our youth about the migration of the endangered monarch butterflies. They were able to learn about pollinator plants and how we can help the butterflies. We were also able to learn how to look for monarch butterfly eggs and how to raise them! Our children definitely learned a lot throughout our sessions together.
• As for our beach cleanups, the kids were able to have some fun while taking care of our environment! Our goal for this environmental project was to teach our kids about the importance of throwing our trash away properly, how trash can harm animals, and how to be environmentally friendly.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The Butterfly Garden part of the project was an extension of our previous Environmental Stewardship project. We added more plants and mulch to the garden and continued to take care of the monarch eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies.
• For the cleanup part of the project, we were able to take some of our top STEM Mentoring kids to the beach. We did two field trips to go out into our community and clean up our environment. During both events, we were able to pick up about 5 pounds of trash consisting of a drone wrapped in seaweed, a dead bird, a dead crab, and a lot of plastic trash. Our project impacted the sea animals at large and our environment. The kids were also impacted when strangers were telling them thank you for cleaning up the beach! They felt really good about cleaning up. The kids did not mind at all picking up trash! They even raced to see who picked up more trash! For some, it was also their first time going to the beach, so this was a plus for them! Overall, we walked about 1.5 miles each trip along the coastal beach.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I felt very good when the lifeguards said thank you to us!” —Destiny
• “I felt sad when I dug up the dead bird.” —Dimitri
• “I feel great knowing I am making a difference to the environment!” —Xander
• “I felt great about myself when the strangers were telling us thank you for cleaning up!” — Samantha

Where did the project take place?

• Outside in the back garden adjacent to our Boys & Girls Club. 

What were the goals of the project?

• As the monarch butterfly is an endangered species, the goal of this project is to provide a safe place for the butterflies to rest, eat, and lay their eggs. 

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• The overview of this project is to help the butterflies through their migration process. We want to teach the kids about the life cycle of butterflies. We also want to teach them about caring for and cleaning butterfly eggs and caterpillars. The mentors from the STEM Mentoring program will also educate and supervise the kids who join the Club on the project, and we will also have butterfly activities to do after our outdoor sessions!

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• Lexi brought her little sister (a non Club member) to help! Their mom also watched them help dig up dirt and plant the pollinators. Other members are always eager to go outside and help. They even rolled their leggings up to “get dirty” and into the gardening session. They always love to help and water the plants. I can’t wait to see what they will do or say once the butterflies start laying their eggs and see the whole life cycle process. 

Where did the project take place?

• North Cove Park, a waterfront park in Lake Stevens, Washington.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goal of the project was to show the public that we care about North Cove and to actively contribute to keeping the North Cove beach/park free of garbage and litter.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• We painted rocks with positive words to keep the beach clean; saving the planet was a common theme. We placed the painted rocks randomly around the beach and park area. Every other Friday at 3 pm, we would gather and pick up trash. The children would often see friends at the beach and would get to explain what we were doing. It was neat to see the kids have that teachable moment. We also had an impact at the Club. Many younger Club kids would see the team putting on their work vests or having a group meeting in the teen center and would want to join us. Lots of positive conversations were had, and other children also paid more attention to the beach area.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• There was a lot of positive recognition and appreciation from the families at the beach that the children acknowledged. They had a sense of accomplishment seeing the beach and park area look cleaner. Some kids felt like the water looked cleaner and was a healthier environment for the local wildlife.

Where did the project take place?

• Various Boys & Girls Clubs across Snohomish County, including the Everett, Sultan, Monroe, and Cascade Clubs. 

What were the goals of the project?

• To introduce and/or reinforce good recycling habits throughout the Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs. 

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• We contacted the Club sites within the Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs to see if they were currently recycling. We also asked whether they would begin a recycling program within their Club if they were to receive bins and information. We purchased bins for those Clubs that needed them and printed out some fun, informational packets. We brought the items to the Clubs that were open and able to participate. Some Clubs had no recycling services in their area. This project truly impacts all our communities by educating the youth and staff on how to be kinder to the environment and reducing the amount of waste headed to landfills. 

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• Esteban said, “I didn’t know that I couldn’t recycle pizza boxes if they had food on it, wow!” 
• Martin said, “I am going to tell my Mom to recycle more.” 
• McKayla: “I like the big blue bin.” 
• Tristan: “I like teaching the kids to help take care of the earth, it’s important.” 

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Alabama.

What were the goals of the project?

• Educate mentees about the benefits of recycling.
• Encourage mentees to reduce waste, and teach them about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.
• Make recycling fun.
• Help mentees develop a positive attitude towards recycling and make it a habit.
• Involve the community
• Encourage mentees to spread awareness about the project and involve their family, friends, and neighbors.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• Recycling is an important activity that helps protect our environment by preserving natural resources and reducing waste. This recycling project has been a great way to teach mentees about environmental issues and encourage them to make a positive impact on the world around them. As part of the program, mentees recycled paper, plastic, and cardboard so the Club can reduce its carbon footprint and teach other kids about the importance of environmental stewardship. Mentees also engaged in a clean-up event along the road the Club is located on — Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. By working together to pick up litter and recyclable materials, mentees have helped beautify their community while also reducing waste and protecting the environment. Overall, this recycling project has positively impacted the environment and helped children develop a sense of responsibility and respect for the world around them.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I am so glad I was able to learn about recycling. Now I have encouraged my family to do the same at home!” —Emmanual

Where did the project take place?

• At our Club site in Ozark, Alabama.

What were the goals of the project?

• To give monarch butterflies a safe place to lay eggs.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• Our project is a butterfly garden that not only the butterflies but also all our members can enjoy. This is a project that we started last year, and we wanted the project to grow. In this garden, our mentees have planted a variety of butterfly– friendly plants — including milkweed, which is a favorite of the monarch butterfly. The goal of this garden is to help the monarch population grow, as monarchs are an endangered species. 

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I had so much fun planting and learning about monarch butterflies when we did our butterfly garden project!” – Precious 
• “I think our butterfly garden is beautiful!” – Ava  
• “My favorite part of this project was getting to plant all the pretty plants in our garden.” – Reese  
• “My favorite part of the butterfly garden is watching the plants grow bigger” – Kelle 

Where did the project take place?

• Boys and Girls Club of Blount County – Alcoa Club at the Spring Brook Park.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals of the project were to learn about ways to keep our community clean, current efforts being made, and future efforts that could be made.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• Our kids had the opportunity to work with Keep Blount Beautiful and the Little River Watershed Association’s Stream School to observe the impacts of recycling and efforts to keep our environment clean. They picked up 16 pounds of trash from a local park, which showed them different things people leave behind, and they talked about how these things affect the environment. They also had an opportunity to participate in Stream School, during which they looked at different organisms in the water and talked about how people can pollute the water systems, causing disruptions in the ecosystem. As a result, they came up with an idea to design their own signs to hang up at local parks.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “I can’t believe how much trash people just dump at the park. We have to do something about this.”—Hunter
• “I love coming to this park on the weekend with my family. I really wanted us to do something to help it.” —Kelsey
• “Stream School is always the most fun trip we go on. We get to learn about creatures and have fun with the water!” —Riley
• “Ecosystems have always interested me, and I’m glad we had the opportunity to learn more about them and how we can help them.” —Autumn
• “We got to use nets and see all the things in the Little River. I had no idea there were so many little animals in there!” —Justice

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at our Boys & Girls Club site in Blount County, Tennessee. 

What were the goals of the project?

• The project’s goal was to spread the mission of environmental education through continued mentorship and hands–on environmental activities. There was a heavy focus on literacy as well. 

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• Our peer mentors were incredibly inspired by their trip last summer to the STEM Mentoring program’s Peer Mentor Leadership Academy and wanted to continue the mission of environmental education. The purpose of T.U.R.T.L.E Club is to continue the mentoring model of STEM Mentoring while also promoting a message of environmental stewardship. T.U.R.T.L.E stands for Teaching, Uniting, Reviving The Local Environment. The second big initiative that they’ve started at our Club is a collaboration with Discover Life in America (DLiA). DLiA is a small nonprofit that is working with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to catalog all living species. 

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “Teaching kids younger than me definitely taught me a lesson in patience. It was really eye opening to see learning from a new perspective. I really enjoyed teaching about the environment and getting to do activities with kids in T.U.R.T.L.E Club.” – Sharon C.  

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place at our William N. Pennington Clubhouse.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goal of our project was to have mentors and mentees work together to create a dedicated butterfly garden to serve as a nurturing habitat for the majestic monarch butterflies that grace Nevada’s skies during the summer months. The project not only supported the survival of these beautiful creatures but also helped restore native plant species. The project also fostered community engagement and environmental education.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• BGCTM’s Environmental Stewardship Project has been an inspiring and transformative educational journey for our Club members. It provided them with a unique opportunity to delve into the captivating world of monarch butterflies and learn about the critical role of conservation efforts in preserving these magnificent creatures.
• Over the course of several weeks, our enthusiastic young members eagerly immersed themselves in the study of butterfly life cycles. They diligently cared for the growing caterpillars, ensuring they had enough food and a safe environment in which to thrive. They were guided through the miraculous transformations from egg to caterpillar, cocoon, and finally, the emergence of the majestic adult butterflies.
• The entire process was an eye-opening experience that allowed them to witness firsthand the intricate and mesmerizing journey of these winged wonders. With hearts brimming with excitement, our young members gathered to release the butterflies they had so diligently cared for into the butterfly garden that they had actively contributed to constructing.
• This garden was thoughtfully designed to provide a hospitable habitat for monarch butterflies, complete with native plants, milkweed, and nectar-rich flowers. The release into this carefully crafted garden symbolized the culmination of our members’ hard work and their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• “Raising those butterflies was soooo cool! We got to watch tiny caterpillars grow into butterflies.” —Ary

Where did the project take place?

• The project took place outside our Clubhouse in Southport, Connecticut.

What were the goals of the project?

• The goals of the project were for our mentees to learn about sensory gardens — including what they are and what they are designed to do — and then to design and build a sensory garden. We also wanted mentees to build future job skills such as commitment, leadership, teamwork, and planning.

Please provide an overview of the project. Who and/or what did the project impact?

• Our sensory garden is a collection of flowers, fauna, and other materials designed to elevate and relax the five senses. The project impacted the mentees who were a part of the planning and building. It has also impacted the youth members who helped and all of our members who can now use the sensory garden. The garden also impacts the environment and passersby who walk past the Clubhouse.

Please share any quotes or statements from the youth about their work on the project and the impact it had on them and/or their community.

• Mateus was thrilled to be a part of the garden planning and building. He said, “I did that!” It may seem like a small sentence, but his reaction, sense of self, and accomplished look said it all.