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.

Upcoming Events

‘Summer’s Start’ Party

Friday, June 26th. 6 - 9 p.m.

Yay, Summer Break! Celebrate with karaoke, games, dancing, and a grotesque amount of snackage.

Basement Teen Destroyer Beam

Choose your fate! 

Wednesday July 8th, 5-6 p.m.

The BTC is youth-led: What do you think is working? What concerns do you have? What kind of activities should we schedule?

The Basement Teen Destroyer beam meets on the second Wednesday of every month, from 5 - 6 p.m. 

You can tell us what you think we should discuss with this form: Where should we focus the Destroyer Beam? 

D&D at the Aldrich

Saturday, July 11th. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

You’re invited to a monthly adventure at the Aldrich Public Library in Barre. Character creation is at 10 a.m., and D&D gametime is from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be snacks! There will be pizza!!

We can run better games if we know who’s showing up. Please register by July 4th to guarantee your place at the game table.

Register here: https://forms.gle/okFV9jv4wsyxAnyC9

Upcoming at the BTC

Week of June 28th: CLOSED

The BTC (and staff!) will be on break from June 27th-July 6th. We’ll re-open for our Summer Hours on Tuesday, July 7th!

BTC Summer Hours

For July and August, the BTC will be open Tuesday 2-6 p.m., Wednesday 2-6 p.m., and Thursday, 2-8 p.m. (CLOSED Monday and Friday.)

Week of July 5th

Tuesday, 7th: OPEN 1-6 p.m.

Wednesday, 8th: OPEN 1-5 p.m.

5-6 p.m. Basement Teen Destroyer BeamChoose your fate! The BTC is youth-led: What do you think is working? What concerns do you have? What kind of activities should we schedule? The Basement Teen Destroyer beam meets on the second Wednesday of every month, from 5 - 6 p.m. Where should we focus the Destroyer Beam? Tell us on this form: https://forms.gle/xHKBDka72mbQXGV58

Thursday, 9th: OPEN 1-8 p.m.

3ish - 6 p.m. D&D with DM McCracken

Thursdays in Summer (July 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, August 6th, 13th, and 20th.) Join for an adventure set in the world of Trench Crusade. 3ish to 6 p.m.

6 p.m. Dinner

SATURDAY 11th: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Aldrich Public Library, Barre

D&D at the Aldrich Public Library. Character creation starts at 10 a.m., we break up into parties at 10:45, and the game runs from 11-2 p.m. It's free, everything is provided, and everyone 12-17 is welcome!!! Register for the July 11th game here: https://forms.gle/h8q31bX2YjKyK37K8 Do so by July 4th to guarantee a spot held for you

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

Stuff to do at the BTC

  • Take it easy.

  • Try out a drawing tablet

  • 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.

  • Eat a bucket of popcorn.

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.