Youth Development Programs
Course Description
Instruction in the youth development process, including learning; philosophy and purposes of youth development policies, programs, and organizations; relationships to organizational missions; principles and procedures for developing, coordinating, and implementing youth development programs; and examining research and practice in youth-at-risk initiatives. This course is broken into three main units: The Learner, The Environment, and The Development Program. Individuals will acquire a basic knowledge of these three areas through observation, discussion, and exploration.
Upon completion of Ag Ed 430, students will be able to:
- Relate how youth learn to various youth development concepts and initiatives (e.g., learning styles, experiential education, prevention education, cooperative learning).
- Articulate the purposes, values, and role of youth development programs in the Cooperative Extension Service, the public schools, and other service organizations.
- Identify the role of educators and other adult leaders in conducting youth development programs.
- Incorporate principles of volunteerism, volunteer education, and volunteer management in youth development programs.
- Identify procedures for designing and maintaining high quality youth development programs, including programs for Youth-At-Risk, through community needs analysis, curriculum design, and implementation.
- Incorporate team building, collaboration, and examination of implications for the balance between cooperation and competition in youth development programs.
- Examine role of youth development programs, contests, and awards at local, state, and national levels.
Credit Hours: 3 UG or 4 Grad hours
