The Basement Teen Center

a program of Elevate Youth Services, in partnership with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

FOR YOUTH AGES 12-17
An after school and vacation time drop-in space.

The Basement Teen Center (BTC) is a free, welcoming drop-in space for all folks ages 12–17. Located in the heart of Montpelier (at 135 Main St., in the basement of Kellogg-Hubbard Library), the BTC offers a substance-free, adult-supervised environment where youth can feel safe, seen, and supported.

Whether you're looking to unwind after school, meet new friends, try out a workshop, or get involved in leadership opportunities, BTC is your space to connect, grow, and have fun.

See our current schedule here Upcoming at the BTC

To learn more about the teen center’s programs and to get involved, contact Robert Morgan at basementteencenter@elevateyouthvt.org or 802-505-3722.

Spring Workshops

Makeup Skills Workshop 

Tuesday April 28th, from 4:30-6pm. 

Cameron Niedermayer, from Looking Glass Esthetics Studio, will be teaching about skincare and makeup application techniques, and giving live demonstrations! Special focus will be given on gender-affirming makeup tips & tricks! BYO makeup if you’d like to follow along.

Free and open to all folks 12-17!

‘Video Game Building’ Workshop

Tuesdays May 5th, 12th, 26th. From 4:15 p.m.-6 p.m.

Learn the step-by-step process of designing, programming, and developing a simple video game. Using Gamemaker (FREE app), instructor Aylwin Morgan will guide you through turning ideas into code, and code into a game. No prior knowledge is required. A laptop loaded with Gamemaker is super helpful, but the BTC can provide a limited number of computers.

Register now to guarantee a place and, if needed, a computer. Drop-ins are welcome, but we do recommend registering beforehand.

Register here: https://forms.gle/iVMsn2S6zTP85MHY8

‘Lore of the DM’ Workshop 

Thursdays May 14th, 21st, and June 4th. From 4:15 p.m.-6 p.m.

Ben T. Matchstick shares the arcane secrets of being a great Dungeon Master. Each session will start with a couple of tips, followed by a short mini-session, and a recap and discussion about the day’s tips. Some topics include: building character connections, small-scale world building, encouraging role-play with NPCs.

DMs that want to run games at the BTC are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend these workshops.

Register here: https://forms.gle/xsejsZDDeoP7XosM8

‘A Revolutionary Press’ Workshop

Tuesday, May 19th, 4:30-6 p.m.

Printmaker and activist John Vincent will be at the BTC with a portable printing press. He will guide participants through the printing of a BTC-designed postcard. 

IN PREPARATION: We need to come up with a design for this piece. Join us during our regular printmaking sessions, or talk to Robert, if you want to see your words or images printed on a mechanical letterpress.

Safer Sex Basics, with Q&A

Tuesday, May 28th, 4:15-6 p.m.

The folks from Mosaic Vermont offer this inclusive, and shame-free education about sexual and reproductive health with a focus on options for protection and how to choose what works for you.

This is a great opportunity to educate and empower yourself; Bring you questions about sex, bodies, consent and more!   

Open to all folks 12-17.

‘Tie-Dyeing’ Workshop

Tuesday, June 2nd, and Thursday, June 11th

Artist Christine Hartman will be at the BTC to teach folks how to tie dye. We will be dyeing t-shirts and bandanas, as well as fabric for block-printing and flag making.

PREP with Mosaic

June 22, 23, 24, & 25th

Upcoming at the BTC

Monday, April 27th: CLOSED

Tuesday, April 28th: OPEN 2-6 p.m.

4:30 Makeup Skills Workshop Skincare and makeup application techniques, and a special focus will be given on gender-affirming makeup tips & tricks! BYO makeup if you’d like to follow along.

Wednesday, April 29th: OPEN 2-5 p.m.

2-5 p.m. BTC/SafeArt Mural Project

5 p.m. Basement Teen Destroyer Beam

Thursday, April 30th: CLOSED

Friday, May 1st:  OPEN 2-8 p.m.

4-ish Tingleverse TTRPG. The town of Billings is home to unicorns, bigfeet, dinosaurs, humans, and living objects. You must save them from void creatures that have escaped from a local zoo. (Table Agreements: Players stay at the table, and No devices.)

5 p.m. Dinner What should we eat? Food suggestions.

Play some games, eat some snacks, make some art. We hope you can drop in!

BTC in Barre?!

Yes! On Saturday, May 16th, we’ll be bringing a bit of the BTC to Barre’s Aldrich Public Library. D&D at the Aldrich, with DMs Aylwin and Robert. There will be snacks and character creation at 10 a.m. and the game will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. All teens are invited! We will provide all materials and instruction, and it’s FREE!

Stuff to do at the BTC

  • Work on the BTC/Safe Art Mural Project.

  • Make linocuts (materials and instructions provided!)

  • Record music. (DAWs, synths, digital drums, guitars, etc.)

  • Make buttons.

  • Use the Switch, computers, or Chromebooks.

  • Play a board game.

We’re always interested in your suggestions, and you can share them here: Comments to the BTC

  • The BTC for me is a place to connect. A way to break up the monotony of school, work, and home. A place to seek guidance and help from those there/running the btc. A please that truthfully, is one of the only reasons I can sit down in school everyday and try my darnedest. I personally wouldn’t trade it for anything.

    A.N.

  • The BTC for me is a way that I can keep friends as well as a support system when I’m needing help. I love how I can walk down and I’ll be greeted and if I’m in a bad mood staff understand! Thank you guys!!

    R.S.

  • To be completely honest the btc is by far 100% my favorite place, so warm and welcoming. everyone is understanding and supportive. it gives me something to do. i rarely attend school anymore but im sure ill always come down to the btc. staff are extremely helpful and trustworthy. you all have created such an amazing place for local teens to make amazing memories and have an awesome time, and like ari said i wouldnt trade it for anything. im glad i discovered it when i did and im glad i chose to keep going.

    J.M.

  • I love the BTC in the library basement. It's a lovely, safe space, and it's easy to get to. It's in the middle of town and close to all the library activities. It's accessible and a great place to hang out with my friends.

    D.R.

  • It's absolutely amazing to have a space downtown to be and coexist with other teens, and the library placement is great for access to and from the rest of downtown. I'm really happy that the BTC is open 4 days a week now, and hope that we can get a 5th soon.

    S.A.

  • The BTC for me is a way that I can keep friends as well as a support system when I’m needing help…

    J.M.

  • The BTC’s a great place to hang out with my friends and to play games. As well as to eat snacks.

    L.A.

  • It’s like a community that you’re accepted in, and that you’re able to connect with people like building community, and having friendships, and all that. Fun place.

    D.S.

Teens: Please Share Your Thoughts

Help us build the BTC around TEEN wants, needs, and ideas. 

Your feedback really helps! A huge thanks to those who've already responded.

Suggest BTC activities with this form: Creating a New BTC

Share what kind of snacks or meals you'd like to have: Food at the BTC

and, what to watch on Movie Night: Movies at the BTC

You can also leave Anonymous Comments here: Anonymous Comments

Four children sitting at a table with papers, colored pencils, and gaming items, engaged in activities. One girl in a gray and yellow jacket is holding a diagram, another girl with green hair and a black hoodie is smiling, a boy in a blue jacket with headphones is drawing, and a girl in a dark hooded jacket is eating. The table has cups, bottles, and books.

Resources

Music

Song chord charts, Ukulele chord diagrams, uke tips, etc.

Sex-ed, & Relationships

Sex-Ed/Relationship videos, etc.

D&D, & other TTRPGS

D&D at the BTC

Community Resources

Help with housing, food, mental health, etc.