Kids need to be accepted for who they are and to accept others. This may be hard at an age where cliques are common, but it provides an area for group discussion. At this age, it is developmentally appropriate to learn new skills and to practice independence. Kids need to move into the community to explore careers, use newly acquired skills and provide services. They may plan activities to carry out with a preschool program or elementary school-age program.
Kids can also participate in community projects like beautifying a park.
Youth need to feel they belong and that their ideas are valued. The staff may create the framework and provide some ideas for the program, but the kids should plan and choose what they will do. In this process, staff must encourage kids to stick with an activity long enough to discover if they enjoy it. For example, a student might sign up for the photography group and become frustrated the first day trying to load the camera. They might want to quit the group, but should be encouraged to stay.