Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs (SLP) are leadership and character-building programs hosted in a school or community agency sponsored by a Kiwanis club.
Service Leadership Program
Kiwanis Kids (K-Kids) offers three fun programs for elementary students ages 6–12, teaching leadership, teamwork, and goal-setting. Kids build character, serve others, and boost academic success through hands-on projects and activities.
Builders Club is the largest student-led service organization for middle school students, typically ages 12 to 14. Designed to promote leadership, character development, and community involvement, Builders Club empowers students to plan and lead service projects that make a real impact. While traditionally based in schools, Builders Clubs can also be established in community settings such as churches and libraries, making the program accessible to more youth. Each club is supported by a local Kiwanis club, which provides guidance and mentorship as students develop valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and civic responsibility.
Key Club International (KCI), the world’s largest service organization for high school students, plays a vital role in the Service Leadership Programs supported by Kiwanis. As part of the Kiwanis family featured on this page, Key Club empowers students to become lifelong servant leaders by encouraging them to take initiative in their schools and communities. Through hands-on service projects, leadership training, and meaningful peer connections, Key Club members build essential skills while making a positive impact. This high school program continues the leadership journey started in Builders Club, helping students grow as they advance through the Service Leadership Program pathway.
Key Club Resources
Indiana Key Club website
Circle K International (CKI) is the world’s largest collegiate service organization and an essential part of the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs highlighted on this page. Designed for college and university students, CKI promotes community service, leadership development, and global connections. Each Circle K club is self-governing, electing its own officers, planning meetings, and organizing service activities tailored to campus and community needs. Sponsored by a local Kiwanis club, CKI offers students the opportunity to grow as leaders while making a positive impact and building lifelong friendships with peers around the world. CKI serves as the next step in leadership development for students transitioning from high school programs like Key Club.
TTerrific Kids is a student recognition program featured in the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs that encourages character development, self-esteem, and perseverance in elementary school students. The program’s name stands for key character traits: Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive, and Capable. In partnership with their teachers, students set personal goals to improve behavior, relationships, attendance, or academic performance. Those who achieve their goals within a set timeframe are honored as Terrific Kids through special recognition, which may include a certificate, a Terrific Kids pin, and celebrations like pizza or ice cream parties. This program supports early leadership and character building as part of the broader Kiwanis mission to inspire youth empowerment.
Terrific Kids Resources
Bring Up Grades (BUG) is a Kiwanis Service Leadership Program that encourages academic improvement and rewards students for their hard work and perseverance. The program recognizes students who raise their grades to an acceptable level and continue to improve or maintain those grades across grading periods. Students who achieve this milestone are honored with placement on the school’s BUG Honor Roll and are celebrated with certificates, buttons, and fun rewards such as pizza, ice cream, or other food-themed parties. BUG reinforces the importance of goal-setting, accountability, and consistent effort, supporting student success in both academics and personal growth.
Bring Up Grades Resources
Key Leader is a transformative weekend leadership program for teens ages 14 to 18, designed to inspire personal growth, community involvement, and goal setting. As part of the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs, Key Leader helps students build self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and form lasting friendships through hands-on activities and guided reflection. A single weekend can make a lasting impact—both for the young leaders who attend and the adults who support them. By participating or volunteering, you can help empower the next generation to become confident, compassionate leaders in their schools and communities.
Youth Protection
Every Kiwanis club is expected to inform and educate its members on the Youth Protection Guidelines, best practices and required actions for individuals who become aware of youth in potentially harmful situations. This education must occur annually, including providing a copy of these guidelines to each club member.
Click Here for Kiwanis International YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING
All adults working with youth under the age of 18 at any Kiwanis event are required to read/understand, agree to and abide by the Youth Protection Policies & Procedures.
Kiwanis Club Youth Protection Guidelines – FAQ
Youth Protection Guidelines are policies and best practices established by Kiwanis to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people who participate in club activities. These guidelines outline how members should interact with youth and steps to take in potentially harmful situations.
Every Kiwanis club member must receive education and a copy of the Youth Protection Guidelines annually. This ensures that all members are aware of and can comply with the latest best practices and required actions.
Training covers best practices for youth safety, steps for reporting suspicious behavior, protecting confidential information, safe social media use, transportation guidelines, and the process for dealing with potentially harmful situations.
After completing the required training, the club secretary records the completion in the Kiwanis Secretary Dashboard each year to ensure compliance.
Clubs can use official Kiwanis training materials, including slide decks, online courses, video recordings, and the 24/7 Youth Protection Helpline to support ongoing education and reporting.
Members must report any suspicion of abuse or potential harm immediately, following the reporting steps outlined in the guidelines. Prompt action is critical for youth safety.
Background Checks
Kiwanis advisors to any sponsored Service Leadership Program are required to have a criminal background check conducted and verified by Kiwanis International per Kiwanis Policy B.16., Procedure 197. By offering a standard, comprehensive background check for all Kiwanis advisors through Kiwanis International, we can be confident that all Kiwanis clubs are protecting those we serve — and protecting all Kiwanis members.
All chaperones (club members and non-members) taking part in a single day off-school premises or overnight SLP-sponsored event must have a clear background check.
