Boys & Girls Club Blog

August 13, 2025

Our Keystone Club teens recently traveled to Chicago, Illinois, for the 58th Annual Keystone Conference, a national gathering built around the 2025 theme Connect, Create and Captivate. Over three unforgettable days, our teens immersed themselves in inspiring sessions and hands-on activities alongside more than 1,200 other Keystone teens and advisors from across the country.

The keynote lineup for the conference was equally inspiring, featuring Common (rapper and actor), Chamique Holdsclaw (WNBA legend, BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame inductee and Olympic gold medalist) and Alex Webber (motivational speaker and TV host).

Day One – Connect
The conference kicked off with a college and career expo at the convention center, where our teens explored Chicago-based opportunities in industries like robotics, the arts, photography and fashion. Later that afternoon, they joined a lively “block party” filled with arcade games, a chill zone (similar to our own Zen Den), caricature artists and more. That evening, the entire group gathered for an inspiring opening session with engaging speakers, followed by a night of fun activities including glow-in-the-dark mini golf, karaoke, a dance party, photo booths, e-sports and more.

Day Two – Create
The second day began with a powerful teen session on mental health, followed by a variety of breakout workshops where teens could choose topics that mattered most to them. While the teens were learning and sharing ideas, advisors attended professional development sessions designed to strengthen Club programming.

Our Director of Middle School & Mentoring, Alyssa Martinez, attended “Creating Safe and Brave Spaces” and shared:

“I loved how they differentiated between safe and brave spaces. Safe spaces ensure our environment and conversations feel secure, while brave spaces encourage youth to step outside their comfort zones, take on new challenges and explore opportunities they may not have considered before.”

The 2025 theme focused on antibullying, where teens developed and shared impactful projects with Clubs nationwide. That afternoon, the new national Keystone Project theme for 2026—Keystone at Work—was announced. Teens also enjoyed a high-energy fashion show featuring new “The Club” merchandise, and every attendee received a pair of custom Vans sneakers with the BGCA Club logo, worn proudly for the rest of the event.

Day Three – Captivate
The final day highlighted the power of service. Our teens participated in projects such as creating arts and crafts for local Clubs and nursing homes, assembling comfort kits for children at Chicago hospitals, restoring sneakers, building bikes and constructing wheelchairs for people in need.

Exploring Chicago
With free time on their hands, our teens had the chance to experience Chicago. They toured Willis Tower and its sky deck for breathtaking views, enjoyed dinner at Harry Caray’s on Navy Pier and took part in “Fly Over Chicago,” a virtual reality experience celebrating the city’s heartbeat through art and culture.

A Legacy Achievement
Our teens returned home not only with new friendships, experiences and inspiration—but also with the honor of having reached Legacy Level. This recognition celebrates their 400+ hours of service, mentorship of Torch Club members, commitment to workforce development and dedication to making a lasting impact on their community.