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Portsmouth: Mentoring & Leadership Development

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  1. 4-H Club Programs and Summer Camp
    Through 4-H, young people are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that emphasize 4-H's "learning by doing" philosophy of youth development. 4-H Programs offers programs for young people ages 5-18. Summer camp available for ages 9-12.

    4-H has lots of projects: photography, technology, leadership, animals, horticulture, health, citizenship, nutrition, clothing, rocketry, woodworking, entomology, and arts and theatre.

    Residential 4-H Camps—programming events for youth ages 9 to 13 in which campers stay overnight (5 days, 4 nights).

    Special Interest 4-H Camps—programming events focusing mainly on a specific project or theme area. There is a large variety of special interest 4-H camps available. Different age group requirements are offered for these camps.

    Cloverbud 4-H Camps—programming events for youth 5-8 years of age. Youth must meet the minimum age of 5 between October 1 and September 30, and must not be older than the maximum age.
    Portsmouth, VA
    (757) 393-5197
  2. Big Brothers, Big Sisters – South Hampton Roads
    ​Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, professionally supported matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through young adulthood. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of youth in our communities.
    Hampton Roads Office P.O. Box 16774 Chesapeake, VA 23328
    (757) 392-5155
  3. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia
    Activities for youth ages 6-18. Education and Career Programs, Health & Life Skills, Character and Leadership Programs, Art Programs, Sports, Fitness and Recreation Programs
    Locations in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Franklin & Eastern Shore
    (757) 853-5632
  4. Community Outreach Coalition
    The Community Outreach Coalition is a nonprofit organization that ministers to low-income youth and children with disabilities through academics, athletics, and the arts. Childcare, preschool, before/after care, tutoring, summer camps, science programs, athletics, cooking classes, dance and step, performing arts, vocal lessons & more.
    The Legacy House 4901 Portsmouth Blvd Portsmouth VA 23701
    (757) 998-2309
  5. Leading Men Fellowship
    The Literacy Lab’s Leading Men Fellowship creates opportunities for young men of color and increases representation in the field of education. Leading Men Fellows are young men of color who have recently graduated from high school and participate in a year-long, residency-style experience in which they provide evidence-based literacy support to pre-kindergarten students while receiving robust coaching and professional development and gaining valuable experience.
    Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA
    304-261-2146
  6. P.A.L. Programs
    Boxing (UGMMA) - Universal General MMA acknowledge the tough issues children and young adults face, both in and out of school. Our Stand Tall initiative is a program that focuses on building self-esteem. Universal General MMA builds self-esteem through exercise and mentor-ship. children with higher self-esteem are less bullied. Furthermore, mentored students with high self-esteem are less likely to get into a fight.

    Law Enforcement Explorer - Law Enforcement Exploring is a hands-on program open to young men and women who have completed the 6th grade through 20 years old, interested in a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice system. The program offers young adults a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition and other activities. Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship and patriotism.

    After School - The Portsmouth Parks & Recreation in partnership with Portsmouth Police Athletic League (PPAL) After School Program is designed to provide Portsmouth’s youth with a safe environment while participating in a wide variety of educational and recreational opportunities.

    PAL Summer camp is hosted by the Portsmouth Police Department. Includes Fun Daily Activities, Weekly Field Trips, Lessons on Crime Prevention, Bullying, and more. This camp is only open to Portsmouth residents ages 5-13.
    Portsmouth, VA
    757-235-5668
  7. Reck League
    We create and implement unique programming for students from underperforming schools and those within known gang & gun conflict zones. Our programs serve those (ages 7-19), who need skill building and are most susceptible to systematic low-income issues. We employ an innovative approach to combat those issues; with our T.R.A.I.N (Targeted Redirection of Anger Issues in Neighborhoods) initiative and skill building initiatives. Partnering our ideas with the city and surrounding businesses will help to leverage resources to create change. As we continue to focus on our mission: skill building, mentoring and mental health; this will lead to success for future generations.
    Norfolk, VA
    757-632-0580
  8. Team Up Mentoring – The Up Center
    Youth ages 6-17 are paired with positive adult role models who commit to spending several hours per week for at least one year with their mentees with the goal of forming a trusting friendship that helps set the youth on a successful path to adulthood.
    Your location
    (757) 337-3414
  9. Tidewater BSA – Exploring
    Exploring provides exciting activities and mentorship for youth ages 10-20 looking to discover their future. Whether you’re a local organization looking to strengthen the community or a young person wanting to uncover the possibilities of your future, Exploring is a great place to start.

    Providing programs for young people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Northeastern North Carolina that build character, leadership and citizenship.
    Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America 1032 Heatherwood Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455
    757-497-2688
  10. Tidewater BSA – Venturing
    Venturing is an inclusive program through the Boy Scouts of America for males and females aged 14-21 (or 13 and completed the 8th grade). It’s operated through Venturing Crews, units of youth and advisors that meet on set schedules and plan activities and events for youth. Providing programs for young people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Northeastern North Carolina that build character, leadership and citizenship.
    Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America 1032 Heatherwood Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455
    757-497-2688
  11. Tidewater BSA – Cub Scouts
    Cub Scouts is a year-round program that offers fun activities that promote character and leadership development. Open to boys and girls in grades K-5.
    Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America 1032 Heatherwood Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455
    757-497-2688
  12. Tidewater BSA – Scouts
    Cub Scouts BSA is a year-round program that is available to all youth in the fifth grade through high school. Service, community engagement and leadership development are important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. Providing programs for young people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Northeastern North Carolina that build character, leadership and citizenship.
    Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America 1032 Heatherwood Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455
    757-497-2688
  13. Tidewater BSA – Sea Scouts
    Sea Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women ages 14 to 21. For over 100 years Sea Scouting has promoted better citizenship and improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage.

    Providing programs for young people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Northeastern North Carolina that build character, leadership and citizenship.
    Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America 1032 Heatherwood Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23455
    757-497-2688
  14. YMCA South Hampton Roads
    Multiple programs for Hampton Roads families including fitness and athletic programs for kids and families, toddler programs, swim lessons, arts and theater programs, preschool programs, before/after school child care, summer and out of school camps, teen leadership programs and more.
    Multiple locations throughout South Hampton Roads, VA
    (757) 962-5555
  15. Youth Leadership Development Program
    The Youth Leadership Development Program is a youth mentoring project sponsored by Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Saturday Academy for Positive Self-Development. Youth Leadership Development is a mentoring, empowerment, and interactive program for families intended to increase graduation rates and increase parental involvement. This program includes school visits by the facilitator. It additionally seeks to decrease criminal behavior by re-directing families to more constructive community programs. Parents must register their children for this program to attend with them.
    Portsmouth, VA
    (757) 393-8481