Older Youth in Out

of School Time
C h a l l e n g e s &
O p p o rt u n i t i e s

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Older Youth in Out

of School Time
Thursday, August 16, 2012

Out
of
School
Time
What We Already Know

Risks

The rate of juvenile crime triples between 3

and 6pm, and youth are more likely to
become victims of crime
The likelihood of having sex for the first time
increased.
Self-care and boredom can increase the likelihood that a
young person will experiment with drugs and alcohol by
as much as 50%

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Out
of
School
Time
What We Already Know

Benefits

Increased school attendance

Improved homework
completion
Increased standardized test
scores
Increased socialization and
problem solving skills
Improved study habits and
motivation
Lowered risk of dropping out
of school

Recruiting and Retaining Older Youth in Afterschool. MetLife Afterschool Alert Issue Brief No. 37, April, 2009

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Older Youth:
Challenges
Disinterest/ Boredom:
The "Relax" Factor:

25% of
older youth
afterschool
participants drop out
of their programs
within two
months.

65% of afterschool
nonparticipants say that
they prefer to simply hang
out afterschool rather than
extend their learning day.

Family Responsibilities:
Transportation:

The resources for

afterschool programs
for older youth simply do
not exist in many
communities.

Financial Constraints:
Afterschool: Providing Multiple Benefits to Middle School Students MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert:Issue Brief No. 42,
June, 2010.
Thursday, August 16, 2012

20% of youth not

currently participating in an
afterschool program report
that family responsibilities
prevent them from attending
afterschool programs.

49% of parents of
afterschool nonparticipants
say that transportation is the
main reason their child does
not participate in afterschool
programs.

Older Youth
Need . . .
Physical activity
Competence and Achievement
Self-Definition
Creative Expression
Positive Social Interactions
Structure & Clear Limits
Meaningful Participation
Afterschool: Providing Multiple Benefits to Middle School Students MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert:Issue Brief No. 42, June, 2010.
Thursday, August 16, 2012

Older Youth:
Opportunities
Identify and cultivate opportunities for
youth to share what they are learning
with others through mentoring.

Promote leadership &

real world experience

Pursue opportunities for youth to

engage in career exploration such as
apprenticeships and simulations

Youth Media Project & Youth Council

Recruiting and Retaining Older Youth in Afterschool. MetLife Afterschool Alert Issue Brief No. 37, April, 2009

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Older Youth:
Opportunities
Hire and develop staff to establish
relationships of trust with youth.

Provide opportunities
for positive social
interaction & engaging
activities

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Solicit feedback from youth to identify

their interests.

Youth Theatre Project

Older Youth:
Opportunities
Encourage staff and volunteers to build
in youth choice and flexible schedules
into their program implementation.

Allow flexible
attendance & accessible
locations

Work to identify and cultivate locations

that are welcoming and conducive to
older youth socializing needs.

Sierra Club ICO & Program Electives

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Older Youth:
Opportunities
Keep staff and volunteers informed of
opportunities to connect youth to
community current events.

Bridge learning with

community engagement

Develop platforms for youth

involvement with local and regional
community initiatives.

YMCA playground Build & Recycle a

Bike Project

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Engaging YOuth
Health
Hands
Heart
Head

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Community
Partners

Program
Opportunities
Initiative

Resources

Youth
Media
Project

Learning Community
Faith Community
Business Community
Public Service
Agencies
Local TV & Radio
Station
Competent Staff &
Volunteers

Recycle-ABike

Area business owners

Police/Fire
Department
Local Bike Mechanics
Competent Staff &
Volunteers
Location for shop and
storage

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Description

Key 4-H Components

Science & Technology

Youth Learn from media
Community action through
professionals how to develop and
Public Service
produce short films based on a Announcements and critical
topic that impacts their
debate
community
Experiential Learning
Expressive Arts

Youth learn to build and repair

bicycles in exchange for a bike to
keep and volunteer work in the
shop

Science & Technology/

Mechanics
Hands-on
Community Action
Environmental Stewardship
Promotion of healthy living