Programs
Programs
Our programs are a cornerstone of the Club, offering positive, educational, and developmental experiences for our members. You can explore each program and find the appropriate contact for sign-ups and additional information by clicking on the activity.
Program registration is available through the Parent Portal under "Program Registration". Please note that all children must be registered members of the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club to participate.
MEMBER PROGRAMS
Lego Robotics | Fall 2026
NBGC has proudly offered its LEGO® Robotics program for 13 years and counting. This long-standing STEM favorite continues to engage our members, and each December the team registers to compete in the FIRST® LEGO® League competition in Massachusetts LEGO® Robotics combines hands-on building with motors, sensors, and programmable bricks to create and control robotic models. This interactive platform helps youth develop essential STEM skills, with a strong focus on coding, engineering, and problem-solving.
Instructor: Emma Petracca
Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays, September 16 – December 10
Time: 5:00 PM
Grades: 4th - 6th grade
Capacity: 10 participants
Registration is available on the Parent Portal
Drawing with Faith | Fall 2026
A Club Kid favorite, Drawing with Faith is returning again! Members will learn basic drawing and portrait techniques. Participants will enjoy hands-on lessons focused on foundational skills such as pencil and pen drawing, creating linear marks, shapes, and tones on two-dimensional surfaces including drawing paper and cardstock.
Instructor: Faith Hensley
Schedule: Wednesdays, September 30 - December 16
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Grades: 2nd–3rd grade
Capacity: 12 participants
Registration is avilable on the Parent Portal
Literacy| Fall 2026
Built on the science of reading, this program provides equitable learning opportunities for all students, promoting their success and well-being. Core5 follows an adaptive blended learning model that offers explicit, systematic, and personalized reading instruction. This approach allows educators to deliver differentiated literacy instruction to students of all abilities. By using Lexia’s research-proven program, Core5 effectively reduces the risk of students not meeting grade-level standards while providing accelerated and on-track students the instruction they need to thrive.
Instructor: Emma Petracca
Schedule: Monday - Thursdays, September 21 – December 4
Time: 4:00-4:50pm
Grades: 1st and 2nd grade
Capacity: 15 new participants
Registration: Available on the Parent Portal.
This program is recurring and will take place again in the winter and spring.
Fine Arts Program| Fall 2026
Building on basic understandings of art principles and concepts in tween NBGC members, this program will overview and explore a variety of fine arts disciplines including graphite/charcoal drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, fiber arts and multimedia. Every session will cover a distinct discipline over the course of several classes with a sustained project for students to engage with. NBGC members can elect to participate in one session of interest to fine tune specific skills and techniques, or return for every session to obtain a well rounded survey of the major fine arts disciplines
Instructor: Paige LeMay
Schedule: Thursdays, September 24 – December 17
Time: 4:00-5:00pm
Grades: 6th grade and up
Capacity: 12 participants
Registration: Available on the Parent Portal.
NBGC Choir | Spring 2026
The Boys & Girls Club is excited to partner with the Egan Maritime Institute for another session of Maritime Adventure Club! Designed for preteens and teens, this hands-on program gives participants the opportunity to explore Nantucket’s maritime history, coastal environment, and working waterfront through fun activities, local outings, and field trips. Participants will learn new skills, discover Nantucket’s maritime community, and help shape the experiences throughout the session. The program will also include a special off-island field trip during the November 11 school holiday.
Instructor: Jack Perry (NBGC), Sonia Scherr-Egan (Egan Martime)
Schedule: Wednesdays, September 30 - December 16, optional off island field trip on November 3
Time: 3:15 - 4:45
Grades: 5th- 8th grade
Capacity: 10 participants
Registration: Open via the Parent Portal. This offering will also be available in the spring.
NBGC Choir | Spring 2026
NBGC partners with the Nantucket Community Music Center to offer a youth choir experience where members explore singing, build confidence, and connect through music. The program concludes with a seasonal performance.
Instructor: Emma Petracca
Schedule: Fridays, February–May 26
Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
Grades: 2nd–6th Grade
Capacity: 10 participants
Registration: Open via the Parent Portal
Crazy 8's | Fall 2026
NBGC is excited to welcome back the hands-on math fun of Crazy 8’s with Meg Glidden! Students in grades 3–5 will explore math through out-of-the-box activities and creative problem-solving. This engaging STEM program offers three seasonal sessions tailored to different age groups.
Instructor: Meg Glidden
Schedule: Fridays, October 2 – December 11
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Grades: 2nd–3rd grade
Capacity: 10 participants
Registration: Available on the Parent Portal.
Ice Skating Club | Fall 2026 *NEW!
Come learn the basics of ice skating with DJ & Kenard! This small-group club is a unique opportunity for students to build confidence on the ice while learning skating fundamentals in a supportive environment. Students will walk together to the ice rink, get fitted for skates and a helmet, and enjoy one hour on the ice.
Instructor: DJ Lewis & Kenard Liburd
Schedule: Wednesdays, September 16 – December 16
Time: 3:30 - 5:30pm (Club kids will depart premises at 3:30pm, children must be present at the Club to participate)
Grades: 2nd–4th grade
Capacity: 10 participants
Registration: Available on the Parent Portal.
Crazy 8's | Fall 2026
NBGC is excited to welcome back the hands-on math fun of Crazy 8’s with Meg Glidden! Students in grades 3–5 will explore math through out-of-the-box activities and creative problem-solving. This engaging STEM program offers three seasonal sessions tailored to different age groups. Each session will be available for registration through the Parent Portal.
Instructor: Meg Glidden
Schedule: Fridays, April 3–May 15 (No class April 24)
Time: 3:00–4:00 PM
Grades: 2nd–3rd Grade
Capacity: 10 participants
Registration: Open on the Parent Portal.
Youth of the Year - All Ages
Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs’ signature leadership program, preparing the next generation to live and lead in today’s diverse, global world.
Since 1947, it has evolved into a comprehensive pathway that develops communication, teamwork, and goal-setting skills through three key levels:
- Youth, Member, and First Grader of the Month – An ongoing recognition program that highlights members’ emerging leadership abilities and encourages them to see themselves as leaders within the Club.
- Junior Youth of the Year – For ages 10–13, this program fosters leadership readiness, preparing younger members for advanced leadership, academic success, and civic engagement.
- Youth of the Year – The highest level of leadership development, where outstanding teens are recognized locally and may advance to state, regional, and national competitions. National Youth of the Year finalists serve as ambassadors for Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide and role models for millions of youth.
- Youth, Member, and First Grader of the Month – An ongoing recognition program that highlights members’ emerging leadership abilities and encourages them to see themselves as leaders within the Club.
PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
STEAM with the Town of Nantucket | Anticipated Fall 2026
NBGC has partnered with the Town of Nantucket to offer a hands-on STEAM field trip experience. Members will get an inside look at how local government works through small group visits to town departments. Each session includes visits to 5 to 10 departments, with about 1.5 hours at each stop. Along the way, students will learn how our island runs and explore future career pathways within the Nantucket community.
Dance Team | Anticipated Fall 2026
NBGC partners with the Nantucket Dance Theater to offer an engaging Dance Team experience. Each week, members travel to a dedicated studio space where instructors teach foundational and advanced dance skills. Participants build technique, confidence, and teamwork while working toward a seasonal performance at the end of the session.
Book Club | Anticipated Winter 2026
Book Club helps students build reading, discussion, and teamwork skills while exploring engaging stories together. This session will focus on The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey, a fun and accessible choice for developing readers.
Junior Chefs | Anticipated Winter 2027
Three 7-10 week sessions of cooking classes are offered in the Club’s commercial kitchen, led by NBGC staff. Now in its ninth year, Jr. Chefs remains one of our most popular programs. Youth learn food prep, plating, baking, meal preparation, and culturally relevant recipes that celebrate our community.
Tween Junior Chefs | Anticipated Winter 2027
Tween Junior Chefs is a six-session cooking program held in the Club’s commercial kitchen and led by NBGC staff. Now in its ninth year, this special edition of our beloved Junior Chefs program is designed specifically for middle and high school youth. Participants build hands-on skills in food preparation, plating, baking, and meal planning while exploring culturally relevant recipes that celebrate our community.
E-Sports Club | Anticipated Winter 2027
This winter and spring, Esports Club will resume for students in grades 3–8. Participants will compete in popular video games while engaging in meaningful learning experiences that connect gameplay to history, computer science, and real-world technology career pathways. The program emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and digital literacy, offering a structured and educational approach to competitive gaming
