Bridgebuilders Clubs: A Team Adventure

Bridgebuilders Clubs are a group of young people who focus on learning how to build bridges and break down walls. They do this with their peers from different cultural, ethnic or religious/ denominational backgrounds. Bridgebuilders Clubs go on a team adventure where they develop global friendships and learn how to relate to and accept those from a different background. Bridgebuilders Clubs have a youth-to-youth focus where young people are trained in cross-cultural issues and then sent out to share their training, experiences and understanding with youth from a different country. Bridgebuilders use our cross-cultural training program (the Bricks) to learn more about themselves and others.

A Bridgebuilders Club follows a one- or two-year cycle: October - December: recruitment and leaders' training; December/January: Bridgebuilders Start Weekend; January - July: Bricks curriculum and preparation for the exchange; July/August: exchange and International Youth Festival; August/September: final meeting or start of a second year, locally-focused Club.
What Does a Bridgebuilders Club Do?
Activities, BRICKS, Exchanges and Festivals...

During their (semi-monthly) Club meetings, Bridgebuilders complete the prescribed Bricks. There are 14 Bricks in total, covering topics such as: team-building, identity, flexibility, communication, service, develop a personal faith and discover others. Bridgebuilders also participate in other team projects, such as: team-building exercises, a fundraising project and preparation for the exchange. There is also contact and a working together with the partner group to discuss the Bricks or plan the exchange.

Each Bridgebuilders Club will accomplish these four activities in a one-year cycle: Bridgebuilders Start Weekend, Hosting Exchange, Travelling Exchange and International Youth Festival.
 
How do I join?
Bridgebuilders Clubs are local/regional teams that are started through activities in schools or by gathering friends who are interested in Bridgebuilding. Or an existing youth group can decide to become a Bridgebuilders Club and join the training and activities schedule. If you are interested in becoming a Bridgebuilder, but do not have enough friends who want to join you, you can still apply to join a Club “by extension” or join similar activities prior to the official start of a Club.