How to Prepare a Youth Program
- 1). Evaluate the need for your program. Network with youth in your community and other organizations that serve youth. Learn what activities and opportunities are already being provided for youth in the community and what programs are not available.
- 2). Write a mission statement. This is a broad statement of what your program wants to achieve and the means it will use to achieve its goals. The mission statement should be simple and should allow room for the future growth and change of your program.
- 3). Write the goals for your program. Decide what you want your program to accomplish. This does not include specific services or activities your program will offer; it is a list of outcomes you want to achieve from your program. For example, if you are planning a leadership-building youth program, list the measurable leadership qualities and achievements you want graduates of your program to accomplish.
- 4). Create activity plans for each of your goals. These are the specific activities that your program will offer. For example, if one of your goals is for youth in your community to gain real-life job experience, then outline the internship opportunities and job skill classes your program will offer to meet that goal.
- 5). Write an action plan. For each activity you want to create for your program, make a list of steps needed to build the program and set a due date for completion.
- 6). Recruit staff and volunteers. You will probably need other adults to help make your action plan a reality. Find people who believe in the goals you are trying to achieve and who care about the youth in your community.
- 7). Enact your action plan. Add to your plan, as necessary.
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