The Council is  a strength based group approach to promote boys' safe and healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescent years.  The Council meets a core developmental need in boys for strong, positive relationships.  In this structured environment, boys gain the vital opportunity to address masculine definitions and behaviors and build their capacities to find their innate value and create good lives--both individually and collectively.

In weekly sessions, a group of no more than 12 boys meet with a facilitator for two hours.  The group format includes warm up activities, a "Council" format check in, experiential activities that address relevant topics, and a reflection and group dialogue component.  The focused activities include group challenges, games, skits, role playing, journaling . . . Topics address healthy competition, playing fair, dealing with bullies, accepting differences, valuing diversity, safe expressions of emotions, gaining and using power constructively, influences of mentors and role models, rejecting violence, becoming allies with girls and women, mentoring others, and making safe and healthy decisions in their relationships and for themselves.

To participate, boys agree to follow the Council guidelines and make a commitment to attend the meetings, be honest, give respect to the speaker and to each person, no put downs, offer experiences if helpful, keep focus on oneself rather than talking about others, and keep what is said in the group confidential.  Boys can share at their own page.

When boys have an opportunity to develop a team spirit, participate in group activities, express ideas and examine feelings, and make decisions in a safe, non-judgmental community, their resiliency is strengthened.  The Council encourages understanding, critical thinking skills, price and unity as boys grow towards young manhood.

The Council will meet on Thursdays, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at YWCA starting August 31st.  YWCA will provide a Boys Council Facilitator to coordinate the weekly sessions at no cost to participants.

I understand that regular attendance is important for my son and for the group, and I will do what I can to support the Boys Council experience.  YWCA insists that all participating boys follow established guidelines for the Council and general rules for good behavior. 

Parents will be contacted if needed regarding behavioral incidents.  Should a child consistently violate rules of the Council or exhibit inappropriate behavior, they may be removed from the Council.