Technology is fast becoming an important part of our society. We give our members numerous opportunities to learn the skills needed to explore and take full advantage of the digital world. Club Tech is an initiative to close the “digital divide” among our youths. Every Club is connected to Club Tech.
Computers are now a part of our everyday lives and the Internet has transformed the way we work, play, and communicate. However, a great “digital divide” is forming between those who can easily access a computer and those who lack technological resources. Computers and the Internet are important resources for our future generations. Not only do computers allow children to easily conduct research, create art, and talk to their friends, but computers also teach them skills that will help them succeed in the future job market.
In 2000, Boys & Girls Clubs of America decided to close the “digital divide” and proposed a plan to help their members easily access new technology. BGCA worked with Microsoft to develop Club Tech, a five-year, $100 million partnership to provide more than 3000 Boys & Girls Clubs worldwide with the latest software and equipment. Club Tech was designed specifically for Boys & Girls Clubs to help its members learn the basic and advanced technological skills they need to excel in school and the job market.
Club Tech has opened worlds of opportunity for our Club members. With Club Tech, our members can design their own web sites using Web Tech, do research for a book report on the Internet, create their own music with Music Tech, and even chat with another Club member across the nation! Club Tech also gives our staff instructions on how to better teach technology at the Clubs.
Our Club members are all curious and avid learners and they are able to explore the digital world safely with Club Tech. The programs in Club Tech include:
- The Digital Arts Suite
- Web Tech
- Design Tech
- Photo Tech
- Music Tech
- Movie Tech
- NetSmartz
- YouthNet
- T3
- The Post
- The Activity Exchange
All our computers at Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia are linked to Club Tech. Every member of our Clubs has access to technology and will be prepared with resources and skills to perform better in school and succeed in the future.
