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Youth Development
Research shows that youth development programs make a tremendous difference, with 65 percent of students improving homework completion and class participation and nearly 60 percent improving classroom behavior.
Plus, children and teens in our Trailblazers programs benefit from mentorship, positive role models, new experiences and Christian education.
Expanding Horizons
"My teens have met friends from all over Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, and my youngest daughter won second place in the solo contest at music camp," said Sheri about her daughters' involvement in youth development and summer camp programs. "The kids look forward to anything they can do with the youth from the Council Bluffs Salvation Army."
How We Help Empower Youth
We serve 200 children and parents from single-parent families in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County, partnering with the nonprofit Trailblazers to provide academic support, mentoring, connections with peers, Bible study, cultural enrichment and physical activity. Plus our ParentLink program offers single parents a chance to support one another and learn positive parenting skills.
Trailblazers
Programs include "God in the Word" on Wednesdays and "God in the World" on the first and third Saturday of each month. Children and parents participate in field trips and activities, and parents also take part in ParentLink, where they learn positive parenting skills.
Campus-wide Community Events for Families
Our Family Fair in April attracts more than 600 attendees from Council Bluffs and beyond. We also offer a Back-to-School Fair in August where students pick up free backpacks filled with all the supplies they need to prepare them for the new school year. Trunk or Treat takes place in October, where kids and families enjoy Halloween fun in a safe, family-friendly environment.
Summer Camps
More than two dozen children and teens in first through 12th grade enroll in various summer camps. These camps offer themed weeks, including Music Camp, Teen Camp and Outdoor Camp, where kids experience nature, connect with others, and learn social, leadership and character-building skills. For many campers, this is their first opportunity to explore nature in depth and engage in activities like fishing, hiking and swimming.
