He studies out-of-school programs--how they work and how to make them better. He conducts mixed methods research in youth programs (including camps) from a youth development perspective, with a focus on youth-adult relationships and micro-interactions. Recent research studies have focused on youth motivation, citywide pathways for youth development, youth-adult partnership, youth employment, educational maker spaces, and equity. He worked for several years at the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality where he helped develop the Camp Program Quality Assessment. He began his career as a camp director and counselor and centers his research around the powerful experiences youth can have in places like camp.