Youth program quality

The University of Minnesota Extension offers research, practical guides, custom training and courses to help youth development professionals provide quality experiences in a variety of learning environments, giving youth the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

People gathered around a table in a well-lit room, focusing on a young boy examining a cup.

Program quality ensures youth development professionals are actively engaging young people in positive youth development. From after-school sessions and overnight camps to online workshops, we have the resources and training to help you and your organization develop high-quality learning experiences — no matter the setting.

Program quality is achieved by being intentional about:

Design - program planning and appropriate structure
Management - supportive policies and professional development
Evaluation - needs assessment and continuous quality improvement

The following resources focus on research-based methods for ensuring youth program quality.

Research briefs and practical guides

A girl sitting smiling at the camera while sitting a table of youth members writing.

Developing high-quality learning environments for youth

Focus on designing a high-quality experience regardless of the learning environment.

Evaluating youth and education programs

If you are in charge of running education or youth programs, you might need some help with evaluation.

Dilemmas in Youth Work

Dilemmas require youth workers to make decisions about how to respond to difficult moments.

A girl wearing a life jacket while paddling in a canoe.

Managing risk in youth programs

Risk management strategies help an organization ensure a high degree of care and protection of young people while they participate in activities.

Custom training and courses

A group of youth around a table talking and writing in notebooks.

Intentional program design

Program planning

Kids standing in a circle pointing down at the camera.

Program quality basics

Teens sitting on a brick wall outside talking.

SEL in practice

Three teen girls sitting at a table laughing, talking while completing an activity.

SEL in practice: Self-guided online course

Two "One Way" street signs pointing in opposite directions on a city street.

Dilemmas in youth work

Curricula

The cover of the Social and emotional learning toolkit handbook.

Elements of Positive Youth Development

Use this planning guide to help build in the positive aspects of youth development when preparing a program.

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.