Guiding youth with their passion projects

By Nicole Kudrle

Supporting youth in pursuing their passion projects is a highlight of my youth development career. Recently, I had the privilege of guiding a young person as they brought their vision to life: creating a calming corner for the county fair. This project was designed to provide a space where youth and adults could find a moment of peace amid the fair’s lively activity.

I wanted to ensure the project was not only successful, but also a meaningful growth opportunity for the youth. Here are the steps that I took to guide and mentor the youth with their project: 

• Start with their vision - When this youth shared their desire to create a calming corner, I listened carefully, asking open-ended questions to help clarify their vision. "What would this space look like? Who would it serve? What materials might you need? How can we fund this opportunity?" Asking open-ended questions helps the youth set their goals and begin making their idea a reality.
• Encourage ownership - I emphasized that this was their project and asked what role I could play. The youth developed a list of tasks required, such as gathering materials, planning the layout, and communicating with fair organizers. The youth then assigned who was to complete these tasks. My role was to guide the youth and assist with communication to fair organizers. Utilizing roles allows youth to practice leadership and allows them to develop a sense of responsibility. 
• Resources and support - Once a list of materials was created, I assisted by providing a list of different funding sources for this project. The youth then practiced their grant writing skills and wrote a grant that funded the project in its entirety. My support also included talking with fair organizers to ensure that the proper space was secured for this project. Guiding youth with resources and support helps youth develop confidence, skills, and ownership in their projects. 
• Teach problem-solving - Inevitably, challenges arose. Some materials weren’t available, and space provided was smaller than originally thought. Rather than stepping in with solutions, I encouraged the youth to brainstorm other options. For instance, when two large tables were not going to fit in the space, the youth opted for one large table for adults, and a small picnic style table for kids. Teaching problem-solving helps youth with critical thinking skills, empowering them to overcome challenges. 
• Celebrate success - During the fair, visitors to the calming corner ranged from infant to senior. All users expressed their appreciation, and feedback was provided. Here is what users had to say:  “Thank you so much, this is the best thing ever”, “I would love to see this in my school”, “Thank you to whoever came up with the Calm Down corner. It really is calming. Keep this booth up. It’s really helpful”. Reflecting on their hard work and impact, youth gain confidence and a deeper sense of accomplishment.
• Reflect and learn - After the fair, we took time to debrief. What went well? What could be improved? This reflection was a valuable part of the learning process, helping the youth think critically about their work and how they might approach future projects. Since this project began, the youth has gone on to provide the calming corner at youth conferences, and has been requested to assist with providing it at other county fairs in the area. 

Passion projects like this one allow youth to explore their interests, develop life skills, and make a difference in their community. By guiding them with intentional steps, we can help them achieve more than they thought possible. The calming corner wasn’t just a space for relaxation; it was a testament to what young people can accomplish.

How can we, as mentors, provide support without taking over? How can we ensure youth’s projects address community needs while reflecting their personal interests?

-- Nicole Kudrle, Extension educator

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