Youth leadership and skills

The University of Minnesota Extension offers research, practical guides, curricula, custom training and courses and a program model to help youth development professionals in partnering with youth to build their leadership skills, find their voice and become change agents.

Learn more how young people can have meaningful opportunities to plan, run and evaluate program activities.

Research briefs and practical guides

A group of youth of varying ages smiling while they build a tower out of rector toys together.

Cross-age teaching

Cross-age teaching is a delivery method that trains teens to teach younger peers.

A girl speaking to a group while sitting at a table that has a small American flag and 4-H flag on it.

Youth voice

Youth programs are ideal settings for participants to practice making decisions that affect their lives and that matter to them.

Two joyful girls share a warm embrace against a brick wall, showcasing friendship and happiness.

Youth engagement through an equity lens

A program that truly engages youth will reflect their unique cultural identity and experiences in an authentic way.

A girl and a boy peaking out from behind trees.

Creating inclusive and impactful outdoor learning experiences

Identifying and addressing access and equity barriers can ensure that all young people can experience and learn in the outdoors.

A group of teens smiling and talking outside.

SEL is a process by which youth and adults better understand themselves and others.

Curricula

WeConnect

A group of kids surrounding a table that holds various jars with one girl raising her hand as if to ask a question.

Youth development curriculum library

Experiential Learning Guide

The cover of the Social and Emotional Learning in Practice handbook.

Custom training and courses

A 4-H State Ambassador helping two youth members with an activity.

Essential elements of cross-age teaching

Teens sitting on a brick wall talking to each other outside.

SEL in practice

Three teen girls sitting at a table smiling and talking while they complete an activity.

SEL in practice: Self-guided online course

A group of youth wearing 4-H shirts celebrating around their Rube Golderg-type machine.

Core components of quality STEM

Two girls smiling outside of a red tent in a fall outdoor setting.

Beyond limits: Creating impactful outdoor adventure-based experiences

4-H Youth Teaching Youth program model

Partner with 4-H to bring cross-age teaching to your school or youth program

4-H Youth Teaching Youth (YTY) is a unique 4-H program model where teenagers take on the role of teachers, actively engaging younger peers in hands-on learning sessions on healthy living topics.

Learn more about YTY

Youth Development Insight

A group of boys around a wooden table watching an Edison robot make its way through a Lego maze.

June 17, 2026

Engaging homeschool co-ops

Extension Educator Savannah Scott outlines strategies for engaging homeschool co-ops to expand youth program reach and increase collaborative learning opportunities.

A woman guides a girl holding a piping bag, both focused on a book on a table.

May 20, 2026

Micro-belonging cues: Small behaviors that help youth feel seen

Belonging grows through small, consistent actions — greetings, check‑ins and strengths‑based feedback — that research shows help young people feel seen, valued and connected.

John Vreyens, Jennifer Skuza, Kaiya Novacek and Katie Becker visiting with a Kenyan banana production manager in Kisii.

May 6, 2026

Inflection points in practice: Lessons from youth development experiences in Kenya

Jennifer Skuza, youth development department head and associate dean, reflects on the collaborative partnership work in Kenya that reshaped her team's understanding of youth development across contexts.

Newsletter: Youth Development Update

Monthly newsletter of youth development events, research and opportunities for youth development professionals.

Learn more about youth development

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University of Minnesota Extension has a long history of youth development leadership. We're best known for running Minnesota 4-H for more than 100 years. Our mission is to improve the lives of all Minnesota young people — no matter where they live or which youth program they choose to join.

Discover resources, research briefs, practical guides, insights, webinars and custom training we offer on foundations of youth development to integrate research-based practices into your youth program to ensure youth thrive.

For general questions or training opportunities, please contact [email protected] or 612-624-2116.