What is Positive Youth Development
Positive Youth Development (PYD) means we intentionally design experiences that help teens build confidence, independence, and real-world skills — not just memories.
PYD, as defined by the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people’s strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
Sounds great. How do you use it?
PYD is a social science! Just like other sciences, it’s always changing as we learn more about it. So, for starters, we implement the latest research and understandings into what we do! We also create spaces for youth to feel like they belong, while giving them opportunities to practice their leadership skills and learn independence. Youth will be in an environment with caring, supportive adults cheering them on every step of the way. Your child will also embark on an adventure we have carefully curated to teach essential skills. The best part – we do all of this in some of the most amazing places you can find!
As our founder is a former 4-H professional, we emphasize the key components of Belonging, Independence, Generosity, and Mastery. This means that each trip will give participants opportunities for bonding and team development, developing a sense of independence, giving back to the communities they visit, and include space to learn something new, which helps to foster a sense of mastery.
Our approach to PYD also includes focusing on life skill development. Iowa State University created a list of life skills that all youth need to develop to lead happy, successful lives. Each trip has a life skill indicator listed on its page, showing you which life skills we intend to help develop the most throughout that experience.
Hendricks, P.A. Developing Youth Curriculum Using the Targeting Life Skills Model: Incorporating Developmentally Appropriate Learning Opportunities to Assess Impact of Life Skill Development (Iowa State Extension Publication 4H-137A, 1998). Ames, IA: Iowa State University.
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Experiential Learning Model (n.d.). Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Lastly, our work uses the Experiential Learning Model. During our adventure, trip leaders will go through the steps of the model, but we will also provide parents/guardians with a resource so that you can have a deeper conversation with your child after they return from the trip. This aids in the application section of the experiential learning model. Ultimately, we want participants to have a great time, feel adventurous, and learn new things they can take home and apply in their daily lives.