Youth development is the ongoing process in which young people are engaged in building the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and experiences that prepare them for the present and the future. The term 'youth development' should be attached firmly to young people, not the institutions that serve them. Youth development should be seen as an ongoing, inevitable process in which all youth are engaged and invested.
Key components of the Youth Development process include:
- Opportunities for membership and connection
- Engaging youth as active leaders and resources
- Social skills building
- Meaningful participation
- Clear norms and guidelines for behavior
- Positive youth-adult partnerships
- Relevant information and services
