At-risk youth come to Boys Town from all over the country. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they all have one thing in common: a difficult upbringing that presents unique challenges not faced by other children their age. Keeping these youth focused and on a path to future success means keeping them engaged inside and outside school.

Luckily for them, Boys Town offers a wide variety of ways for them to get involved beyond the classroom. One of those activities is athletics.

It’s About More Than Just Sports

Through athletics, Boys Town youth are able to build integrity while learning social skills they’ll use well beyond graduation. Regardless of the sport, all Boys Town student-athletes are taught from the first day of practice the concept of “competing with character.” This encompasses a variety of social skills, such as dealing with performance pressure, learning how to accept defeat, winning with grace, and balancing athletics with academics and other responsibilities.

Boys Town youth “compete with character” in a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, cross country, wrestling, cheerleading and swimming.

In addition to athletics, Boys Town youth can participate in many clubs and activities that also teach important social skills they’ll use throughout their lives. Options include band, choir, art, junior ROTC, science club, chess and many others.

By staying engaged beyond the classroom through athletics, clubs and other activities, Boys Town youth can remain focused on their goals of personal improvement. Which is why, despite their diverse backgrounds, they all leave Boys Town with one thing in common: an appreciation of their true potential to succeed as adults.

For more on how Boys Town gets kids involved, check out this video.