Understanding your role as a Youth Leader

You will identify those characteristics that make adults positive and powerful influences in youth lives.

Ages and Stages

You will understand the developmental characteristics and tasks of youth from 6-18 years of age.

The Ecological Model

You will learn how taking this perspective permits you to consider how youth interact with, react to, and have an effect upon their families, friends, schools, neighborhoods and communities.

Peer Groups

You will become more aware of the factors that influence an adolescent's selection of peers (proximity, similarity, social skills, interests and attitudes). Peers offer opportunities to build social skills and experience a sense of belonging.

Meeting the Needs of Youth

You will learn how programs can be designed to meet the following needs of youth: Self-awareness and physical activity, competance and amstery, independence and creative expression, closeness and belonging, safety and structure, nad self-worth and meaningful participation.

Risk and Protective Factors

Understanding how risk and protective factors operate to hinder or help a youth's strengths as a means to enhancing protective factors.

Assessing your Style as a Leader

You will learn about and appreciate your own and others' styles of communicating, problem solving, working, learning and resolving conflict.

The Experimental Learning Cycle

You will use this powerful approach to learning that involves experiencing a shared activity, discussing reactions to the activity, analyzing what happened, connecting what was learned to real life, and discussing how issues raised can be helpful in the future.

Diversity Awareness and Sensitivity

This will facilitate your ability to ask questions that increase understanding of, listening to, empathy for, and effective communication with individuals from different backgrounds.

Understanding Adolescent Risk Behaviors

You will better understand why adolescents need to experiment and take healthy risks, and how risk behaviors are related to needs and competencies.

Circle of Support

You will learn about the belief that positive family, peer, school, and community support is essential for children and youth as they grow and develop. A young person with three caring advocates can overcome any obstacle.

Communication Skills and Conflict

You will practice communication skills and assist staff in dealing with conflict.