Steps to Creating a GREAT Youth Program

Creating a successful youth program is about more than just keeping kids busy. It’s about creating an environment for genuine impact. If you want to build a program that has a positive and long-lasting effect on young people, you must focus on the foundation.

Here are the key components to consider.

The Instructor

You must have an instructor who has a passion to teach a subject they truly love. This passion is contagious. The instructor must also love to learn—not only about their subject but about how to teach it. They should be continuously studying methods to become a better and more effective instructor.

The Instructor's Assistant

It's important to have one adult helper or assistant for every five students. The assistant's main job is to help keep order within the group, manage small distractions, and ensure the instructor can focus on teaching the lesson.

The Agenda

Having a written agenda is a must. Don't try to "wing it." That will only lead to chaos and wasted time. A clear plan shows you respect the students' time and are prepared to give them real value.

The Lesson

Young people are willing and able to learn multiple lessons in one sitting, as long as each lesson has the right components. A great lesson should be:

• Interesting: Does it spark curiosity?

• Hands-on: Can they physically do something?

• Relatable: Does it connect to their lives or experiences?

• Useful: Is it something they can apply at home?

• Empowering: Is it something they can use to make money or develop as a hobby?

The Location

The location can be indoors or outdoors, but it must not have a lot of distractions. Do your best to eliminate all the distractions you can before starting the lesson. This includes putting phones away (including the adults'), turning off TVs, and choosing a space away from high-traffic areas.

The Food

The youth will need a snack, and it's a key part of the program. Focus on healthy snacks. Keep sugary options to a minimum. If you do provide sugary snacks, make sure you do so at the end of the lesson plan (and before free time) to avoid a sugar-fueled crash during the lesson.

Free Time (Recess)

Always build in time for connection. Make sure to give the students at least 10-15 minutes of free time before the program is over for the day. This is when they will decompress, socialize, and build friendships.

A Real-World Example

This past summer, Brother Nature taught the kids how to make pizza bagels and pick marigolds (plus a couple of other things). A lot got done within two hours, and the kids had a blast! It was a perfect example of a hands-on, useful, and fun lesson.

Check out the videos!

The 1st is the full video, and the 2nd is the short version.