Youth Development Insight

By Nicole Pokorney In the recent Minnesota DNR newsletter, The Trailblazer , the editors featured stories of people not always represented in the outdoors. As I reflected on the voices and images, I continued to think about the statistics of who is outdoors, and the future of our spaces. According to the 2023 Outdoor Participation Trends Report , 2022 showed record numbers and rates of participation in the outdoors, but a decline in the number of outings. Also, the report showed that participants that were new to the outdoors were more diverse, with increases in several BIPOC communities. However, the total population of outdoor participants still hovers around 70% white, mostly men. The trends report does give us hope: "Although the outdoor participant base isn’t as diverse as the U.S. population, diversity among kids who participate and of new participants (participated for the first time in 2022) strongly indicate that efforts to maximize inclusivity in outdoor recreation are r...

By Nicole Pokorney At the end of October, I was able to be part of a University of Minnesota Extension international professional development opportunity in Argentina. The purpose of the learning experience was to build cultural agility, establish new international partnerships and advance the DEI goals within our organization. While we dove deep into empanadas and architectural wonders, the immersion into the cultural atmosphere was where we felt the stretch of our perspectives and biases. During a group reflection one evening, we were discussing the colonization of Argentina and the perceived view that the majority of Argentines had of the indigenous and black populations. We were wrestling with the concept and comparisons when a colleague stated that it was good for us to “interrupt our own narratives.” This simple statement encapsulated the feeling that we were having as we looked at our own stories and how we related to others. In a recent youth training, I presented the 4-H True ...

By Nicole Pokorney Paddles dug into the water as the waves crashed over the front of the canoes. It was the last leg of our 7-day trip, and the large lake and wind against us was proving too much for our already tired bodies. The dock on the other side of the lake slowly got closer and closer, yet painstakingly slow. Tears ran down many faces and the high school students grew quiet. After what seemed like forever, a young person broke out into song as we knew that we were going to finish this. Everyone started singing and we were renewed with energy as the canoes, one by one, docked and our journey was complete.  Outdoor adventures like this can help participants gain social emotional skills. The inherent challenge and emotional intensity, coupled with intentional reflection, can increase resiliency, emotion management skills and self-awareness. Challenge  Challenging experiences take participants out of their comfort zones, but within their chosen limits. A blog from Outward ...

By Nicole Pokorney In last week’s Youth Development Insight blog post, Creating safe and supportive outdoor learning experiences , I described the foundation of building safe and supportive environments for outdoor learning with regards to risk management and fostering an environment for learning and social support. This week, I will explore the next three components of impactful outdoor learning experiences that relate to intentional program design - the importance of having the ability to break away from normal life, providing a guided experience in nature and giving an invitation to explore. Ability to break away from normal life Outdoor experiences provide participants a chance to get away from their normal routines and remove themselves from external influences such as family, work, social media and school, creating a sense of autonomy. At our 4-H residential camp, there is a natural void of cell phone service which creates an even stronger break away from technology and social me...

By Nicole Pokorney Wilderness and outdoor education programs can be traced back to the 1940s with elements of success and impact woven throughout its history, according to the 2013 article, The Youth Adventure Programming Model . In the last ten years, great strides have been made in youth program quality, social emotional learning, inclusivity in outdoor spaces and the benefits of connection to nature, which enhance youth experiences in outdoor programming.  In a research brief I co-authored with Kristina Abbas, we outline eight key components for creating inclusive and impactful outdoor learning experiences . In a series of three blog posts, I will offer additional explanations and resources of these eight components: A sense of safety and support An environment for positive, social support An invitation to explore A guided experience in nature Ability to break away from normal life Activities to foster self-awareness Challenge Intensity A sense of safety and support In our effor...

By Nicole Pokorney Increased screen time and the lack of outside play and exercise can have detrimental effects on the health of children and youth. We also know that having a connection with nature has proven to have positive benefits for mental, physical, and social needs of children. Spending time in nature allows us to restore our bodies, minds, and spirits, and also has clinical health advantages. However, is there a magic dosage of nature we all need to experience these benefits and if so, what is it? Tanya Denckla Cobb, from the University of Virginia, developed the idea of the Nature Pyramid, where we experience various amounts of spending time in nature and to different degrees. In 2012, Tim Beatley, Founder and Executive Director of the Biophilic Cities Project , turned the concept into a graphic depiction and gave further explanation in his article, Exploring the Nature Pyramid . The pyramid has been replicated through the years by various organizations and with a variety o...

By Nicole Pokorney No one can argue that the last two years haven’t been difficult for everyone. As we emerge from the pandemic and restrictions, people are experiencing the emergence in different ways. There are days that I find myself full of energy and zest, and then other days I feel drained and unmotivated to even do the things that once brought me joy. I was struggling with what was going on and searching for ways to ignite my passion for youth work and my pre-pandemic life. I did a lot of reading, listening, and writing in my attempt to unlock a remedy. I found my answer in a February, 2022 episode of The Happiness Lab podcast . Psychologist and writer Adam Grant revealed the concept of languishing . Adam describes this feeling as the "middle child between mental illness and mental well-being", and that it can truly be described as feeling "meh". As I found myself with piles of work undone, phone calls not returned and, after a week of hard work, a bunch of e...

By Nicole Pokorney My professional leave to tackle the topic of access and equity for youth in the outdoors has been quite a journey. I set off without knowing my destination, with a handwritten, unfinished map. Along the way I found myself bushwhacking through tough readings, venturing off on side trails to more information, and stopping at places of awe. The tangled web of trails finally converged for me when I came across a sign at the entrance to the woods that read,  “Connections in nature, with each other, with art, with the universe...WE ARE ALL CONNECTED.” This simple sign seemed to condense my hours of research and reading into a theme - the imperative need for connections to nature, to each other, and to the land. Connections to nature. In my last blog post , I stressed the need to connect youth to nature in ways that best fit their learning styles, passions and hobbies. Today I’d go further to argue that everyone needs to be connected to nature, and that every program,...

By Nicole Pokorney In 1983, Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences in his book, Frames of Mind . Naturalistic Intelligence was the eighth and most recent intelligence added to the list in 1999. In her article, The Eighth Intelligence – Naturalistic Intelligence , Leslie Owen Wilson describes individuals with "Nature Smart" as having the following characteristics, plus more: Sensing patterns in nature Often like to collect, classify, or read about things from nature   Interest in animal species and behaviors Having a connection to the outdoors At the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Devleopment’s Community of Practice for Outdoor Professionals , we were recently discussing the importance of identifying the social inequities and barriers that underrepresented youth face in having a connection to the outdoors. In his book, The Adventure Gap , James Edward Mills states: There is a link between recreating in the outdoors and wanting to pro...

By Nicole Pokorney In her 2014 blog, Professional development is money in the bank for youth-serving organizations , Nancy Hegland outlines the many benefits of providing professional development to employees, such as improved program quality, increased job satisfaction and reduced stress. Her blog also describes the need for creative delivery methods. Trish Sheehan describes similar benefits in her 2018 blog, Take care of your program and your professional self . Trish continues, “ Dorie Clarke suggests professional development takes on three main forms: learning, connecting and creating. Identifying what you need to gain or improve on in each of the three areas helps you to advance your work and establish your profession.” In response to the U of M Extension Center for Youth Development's identified priority of promoting learning and hands-on activities in the outdoors for youth and families, and the increasing need for addressing inclusivity and diversity in outdoor education p...

By Nicole Pokorney There's nothing more electric than watching a young person experience the ocean for the first time. In a recent mother-son trip to Oregon, I watched from a distance as my 18 year old son walked towards the massive Pacific. He has seen the ocean before but was so young, he doesn't remember it. Like a little kid, he took off his socks and rolled up his sweatpants and walked in. He dipped his hand in and brought the salty liquid to his mouth. I could see him raise his head and take in a deep breath. He turned to me and his face was lit up with a big smile. As outdoor educators, we can replicate this sense of awe and connection to nature when we create outdoor, adventure-based programs for the youth we serve. By creating intentional and engaging outdoor learning experiences, facilitators can provide participants with a unique opportunity for transformation and growth. Through a literature review, I have compiled eight key components of developing transformative l...

By Nicole Pokorney Wouldn’t it be great if we told job interviewees that professional development would be required? Wouldn't it be great if organizations invested in funding exactly the right support for each employee at every stage of their career? At the beginning of each year, many of us make a plan of work that includes professional development. Sometimes we choose a conference or a training for no better reason than its familiarity. Many times the knowledge and materials we gain just get filed away or even worse -- thrown away. That is not a sign of good professional development. True professional development meets the needs of the employee in the context of their career stage and organization in which they work. For the employee, it takes time to reflect on your own passions and skills, your job position and the organization’s mission. Rennekamp and Nall explained the problem. “Participation in professional development opportunities is seldom done to meet a specific ...

By Nicole Pokorney Volunteers are vital for non-profit organizations. Staff need be able to optimize the use of volunteers to maximize their efforts to spread the work and their impact. Traditionally, staff guide the work and vision of an organization. But for true transformation, staff and volunteers must move the mission forward together. To do that, staff and volunteers must share the vision, along with the energy and passion to transform the volunteers into engaged stewards. The result is enabled volunteers who are equipped to guide youth programs and make fundamental shifts to meet the organization’s evolving needs. From volunteer to engaged steward People volunteer for many reasons and are motivated by different things. Research shows that “Job satisfaction is related to achievement, recognition for accomplishment, challenging work, increased responsibility and individual growth and development.” When volunteers lack a sense of connection and purpose, they feel unful...

By Nicole Pokorney I recently had the privilege of working with 16 teen counselors for our 4-H regional camp. These youth applied for, were selected, and then trained to deliver high-quality youth programming and nurture younger campers. Their training introduced them to social emotional learning, specifically The Power of Empathy . They learned the difference between empathy and sympathy, and how to show genuine empathy toward campers. The one-week camp was great, but the really amazing part was what happened after the campers had gone home. The teen counselors stayed one more night to clean up and reflect. What came through were the SEL skills that the counselors had gained. Our camp is located at the bottom of a geographical bowl, with no cell phone service or internet. This lack of connectivity clearly enhances the focus of staff, counselors, and campers. Instead of posting selfies and tweeting, counselors engaged in deeply personal reflection around a campfire every night. A...

By Nicole Pokorney Last week I was reminded of the importance of just sitting down and talking with another person for the sake of honest, open discussion and networking.  I sit on a national committee with staff from all over the country, from Hawaii to Vermont. We come together once a year face to face and while we have two full days of business to tend to, we also take intentional time to go out to dinner and talk without an agenda. It's not an option - it's essential. Dinner time is as important as the business. It is an opportunity to finish some business items, but the atmosphere provides a time to get to know each other, dialog about system-wide topics, and create a bond that helps us to work stronger and more efficiently.  Plus there is laughter and joking! Collegiality is vital in the youth work profession. It's easy to isolate ourselves and forget the benefits of networking with other youth development professionals. Building relationships for a support syst...

By Nicole Pokorney Recently, while teaching a room full of youth workers, I was taken aback by a few early-career professionals who were struggling with why they were actually doing youth work. On the same day, I also met an older gentleman who was full of energy for working with youth after doing it for more than 30 years. What was the difference between them?  I believe it was passion and innovation. Through my work with Youth Engagement Matters , a curriculum developed by the University of Minnesota, I teach participants about the Rings of Engagement, which are participation, passion, youth voice and collective action. The course shows adults how to use the Rings of Engagement in their youth work practice.  The curriculum defines passion in this way: “Becoming engrossed in or passionate about something, and based on experiencing the activity itself as rewarding, regardless of outcome or external rewards.  Passion is marked by high levels of attention, concentration...

By Nicole Pokorney This blog post isn't going to be research-filled or one of great insight and wisdom, but one that comes from my heart. As I sit to write this week, I am reminded that ten years ago, a student I worked with passed away in a sudden accident. He was a senior in high school. I was six years into full-time youth ministry and had been in the youth development field for over ten years. I was on a bus full of youth headed back to the church from a service project when I received the call. Nothing had prepared me for having to break the news to the high school students on the bus. When we arrived at the church, youth had started to gather and within two hours, over 200 youth congregated in the basement of the church. There are no words to describe the pain and suffering of the student's family or the confusion and loss that was felt by the countless youth that rotated through the church and funeral doors. It is even hard to describe the effect it had on me ...

By Nicole Pokorney The more I research and study the facets of teaching, the more I am aware that we as educators don't always apply the same methods of reflection on ourselves as we do to the youth we serve. Do we study to be scholarly teachers? Do we understand the scholarship of teaching as it pertains to our professional development and promotion? Do we take the time to dive deep into reflection to become experts in our teaching? Over the last few years, I have been studying the art of teaching and reflective practice as a nonformal educator. In his book, Becoming a Reflective Teacher, Robert J. Marzano and his team from the Marzano Research Laboratory compare the development of an expert teacher to that of an athlete. "Just as athletes wanting to improve their skills must identify personal strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and engage in focused practice to meet those goals, teachers must also examine their practices, set growth goals, and use focused practice...

By Nicole Pokorney Identifying your teaching philosophy -- your style, teaching goals, how you assess learning -- can have myriad benefits. A class I'm taking this spring has introduced me to the concept of the teaching philosophy. In my 20 years as a non-formal educator, I have thought a lot about how and why I teach, but I have now fully experienced the power of documenting and sharing that philosophy. Why should non-formal educators understand and develop their own teaching philosophy? Barbara Bowers, a nursing professor at University of Wisconsin - Madison, in a Chronicle of Higher Education article says, ". . . the purpose of the teaching statement is to be self-reflective, to identify where you might need some help from others, or you might need to do a little more work on your own to improve, and to look at which of your strategies are effective and which ones aren't." The purpose of a teaching philosophy is both summative and formative, according to ...

By Nicole Pokorney Are you engaging youth in program evaluation? You may be wanting to do so, but having trouble finding a way to do it. In October, educators from our center and youth workers from several area youth programs embarked on a journey to explore innovative ways to engage youth in program evaluation. The Innovators on Youth Roles in Evaluation Cohort emerged as the laboratory for this exploration. The Innovators began to gather the information about Youth Participatory Evaluation (YPE) from our early meetings and Kim Sabo Flores' presentation that month, Transforming Youth/Adult Relationships through Research and Evaluation. YPE is a practice that benefits youth, adults, and program. In her blog post, Youth as partners in evaluation - an idea that is catching on, Kate Walker began the discussion on how programs benefit from involving youth in evaluation and research. In her presentation and book, Youth Participatory Evaluation, Strategies for Engaging Youth Pe...