Join the Youth Development & Nature Cohort
Integrating youth development and nature engagement helps youth reach
their full potential.
Bring the combined power of nature and youth development to your organization
Youth development and nature-based programs share a common goal of helping young people reach their full potential as humans and as earth stewards. The Children & Nature Network and the National Recreation Foundation invite youth-serving organizations to participate in a Youth Development & Nature Cohort to build community capacity for integrating nature and youth development. This 6-month peer learning and technical assistance engagement will equip organizations to weave strategies for social-emotional learning into nature-based programming—and enhance youth development activities with the context and benefits of nature.
WHO:
Community-based organizations serving youth ages 16-24.
We seek to engage cross-organizational teams of three; recommended team composition includes a practitioner, management-level staff, and a youth leader. Priority is given to community-based organizations primarily serving youth of color.
HOW:
| Step 1:
Register to attend a Youth Development & Nature Workshop on May 11, 2021 to explore effective practices for achieving positive youth development outcomes through quality nature engagement. |
Step 2:
Identify your team and apply for the Youth Development & Nature Cohort to support the planning, funding and implementation of nature-based activities in your organization. To be eligible, a minimum of two team members must attend the May 11 workshop. |
WHEN: May 11, 2021, 12:00 – 2:30 pm CT
WHAT: A virtual workshop to better understand the combined power of youth development and nature connection. The workshop is a prerequisite to apply for and join the Youth Development & Nature Cohort.
Topics for workshop discussion include:
- A framework that illustrates the intersection of youth development and nature for organizations
- Evidence-based research on the benefits of youth development and nature connection
- Strategies for delivering quality youth development and nature-based learning and programming
- Outline of the technical assistance, pass-through grants, and peer learning opportunities available through the Youth Development & Nature Cohort
Register by May 7 | Participation is capped at 100
RegisterWHAT: The Youth Development & Nature Cohort is a six month-long peer learning and technical assistance engagement designed to help community-based organizations:
- Undergo assessment of existing partnerships and programs in their organization to identify opportunities for nature-based programming
- Develop plans for integrating nature-based programming into their regular programming for youth
- Design and implement activities to test strategies for engaging youth in nature-based experiences that nurture social emotional development
- Integrate evaluation measures for assessing nature connectedness and social emotional development of youth into their evaluation systems
WHEN: June-November 2021
PREREQUISITE: A minimum of two of your three team members must attend the May 11 workshop in order for your organization to be eligible to apply.
Participating organizations receive:
- Youth Development & Nature training
- Monthly calls with C&NN staff to support program development
- Access to Youth Development & Nature Networking events to exchange strategies and approaches among local organizations
- $3,500 of funding towards implementing nature-based activities for young leaders
Additional Support for Young Leaders
- Online workshops for young leaders ages 16-24 to build cultural awareness, develop leadership skills, and network with other leaders
- Prioritization for Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund mini-grants for young leaders to implement local projects
Apply by May 28 | Five organizations will be selected
ApplyIn early 2021, the Children & Nature Network partnered with the Outdoor Foundation, Search Institute, and Fresh Tracks to better understand the intersection of youth development and nature-based programming. This work, made possible with funding from the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, resulted in the development of a Youth Development & Nature Toolkit, which serves as the framework for this cohort.
QUESTIONS?
Contact leaders@childrenandnature.org
The 2021 Youth Development & Nature Workshop and Cohort is made possible by:
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