Damon Johnson of Arly by BellXcel shares the critical role quality youth programs have in shaping the next generation of leaders.
It’s undeniable. The research proves how important and impactful high-quality youth programs and activities are for the development and success of children. In fact, the roots of true, upward economic mobility start in their neighborhoods. With 80% of a child’s time spent outside of the school day, it’s clear these local opportunities are vital. Yet, three out of four children are unable to gain access to afterschool activities and only 22% are enrolled in a structured summer program.
For lower-income families, the gap widens. Middle and high-income families spend 10 times more on extracurricular activities than lower income households, and the results speak for themselves. Children involved in extracurriculars are 400% more likely to attend college, while those who lack access to these crucial activities lose opportunities to build necessary life skills.
While broadening children’s access to these experiences is vital, the program’s quality must be at the forefront of its design and management.
Impact on Youth
With youth programs, camps and activities play such an indispensable role in shaping a child’s future. The importance of quality can’t be overstated. In fact, the research illustrates a powerful, holistic ripple effect stemming from high-quality programs:
Increased academic growth and progress.
When youth are challenged and supported to set and attain goals, it empowers them to believe in their abilities, pursue their dreams and foster a love for learning.
Improved attendance.
Focusing on positive experiences is a powerful recipe to create fun and instill a desire to return day after day. Coupled with building confidence, the start of a new day brings excitement rather than dread.
Improved physical and mental health.
High-quality experiences build a well-rounded foundation, equipping youth with essential life skills.
The benefits expand to include stronger key life skills, increased engagement at home, improved performance on assessments and even reduced school year behavioral referrals.
Impact on Organizations
On the flipside, organizations offering these engaging experiences realize a return on their investment in the community’s youth:
Higher enrollment and attendance.
Families want a place where their children can be successful and have meaningful experiences. When children are engaged and are gaining confidence, re-enrollment becomes a given and word of mouth among parents leads to new participants.
Increased staff retention and satisfaction.
The effects of quality environments extend beyond children to the adults involved, igniting joy and passion in their work as they witness the profound impact of their efforts.
Here, the benefits extend to heightened family satisfaction and staff confidence, stronger bonds between staff and youth, increased efficiency with a positive culture and climate, and even greater access to funding streams.
Essential Ingredients of a High-Quality Youth Program
While the need is clear, and the desire to support the success of youth in your community is strong, how can you determine whether your program meets the standards aligned with top quality? Ensuring your programming is measurable from the start is key. From there, you can identify areas for improvement and make meaningful advancements toward making your program a great one.
