Programming with youth during the pandemic required us to creatively think OUTSIDE the box and find solutions for how we continue to connect with youth through distance learning options.  Now that we are returning to a more “normal” programming environment… how do we capture what we have learned and continue to use what works?

Samantha Lahman and Joe Rand share a program that was created as an in-person event, had to pivot due the pandemic and change to a program INSIDE a box that was delivered to the young person's home.  They share ways youth programs can utilize this "in the box" idea as we return to in-person and hybrid programming.

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Listen to Extension educator, Nicole Kudrle, and two youth leaders, Maggie and Ryan, who turned an unsucessful youth event into an opportunity to reflect through a process that led to a new (and successful) version of the event.

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Learn about a virtual program that was created to teach youth about American Sign Language (ASL).  Educators Mindy Grant,  Bri Fisher, Jenny Cable share how they utilized statewide partnerships and local community members to access the expertise and experience needed to guide youth learning around ASL.  Youth voice was incorporated into a safe space to ask questions in order to have opportunities for deeper learning and greater understanding of ASL and the deaf community.

How can young people learn how to be better allies for their LGBTQ+ peers and ensure safe places for everyone to participate in youth programs?

In this podcast, Joe Rand, Extension educator & Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility, Dianna Kennedy, Extension educator and two 4-H State Ambassadors, Victoria and Rachel discuss a youth-led initiative that created a program, called "Let’s talk about Gender Identity” for youth to learn how to be better allies.  Although the program was delivered to 4-H members online, ways to implement the program in other youth settings and in-person are discussed. 

LGBTQ+ Resources Listen to our youth-led podcast series, Clover Chat 

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Over the last couple years youth workers have been forced into change and moved into situations where they had to be innovators… How can those experiences be utilized to continue in the mode of being changemakers?

Becky Meyer (Center for Youth Development), Nate Meyer (Program Leader, Center for AFNR, and Mary Jo Katras (Program Leader, Center for Family Development) discuss how to capture the youth program innovation we’ve experienced and utilize a model to help practice empathy, be creative and strive for elegance.

Link to Extension Program Innovation Website

Link to Episode 38:  Innovative Youth Programs

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Youth can be effective in designing and implementing youth programs with adult guidance!  Karen Beranek and Jan Derdowski discuss the foundational research and models supporting authentic youth/adult partnerships while sharing real stories that bring this concept to life.

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Learn ways to participate in MN 4-H

Listen to the Clover Chat Podcast created by the MN 4-H State Ambassors

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How can we intentionally create inclusive and impactful outdoor learning experiences for youth?  Nicole Pokorney and Kristina Abbas share eight key components for developing inclusive, transformative outdoor learning experiences for youth, along with a few tips from their experience for program staff wanting to implement these ideas.

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You evaluate your program by gathering input from the youth participants, parents/guardians and volunteer, but so many of us youth workers say to ourselves... I work with kids - not data! 

Sam Grant, Evaluation Specialist, discusses three ideas youth workers can use to present and share numbers from evaluation data in more understandable (and fun!) ways.

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Sam's Evaluation Resources Webpage

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We know that incorporating reflection into our youth development programs is important for high quality experiences…. But how often do you bring reflection into your professional day?

Karyn Santl, Extension educator, shares 3 ideas about how youth workers can implement reflective practices into their work.

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