Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs can provide many benefits to participants. Whether these programs come in weekly, monthly, or quarterly events, or residential camps or day camps, youth benefit from many of the routine aspects incorporated in PYD.

What is Positive Youth Development (PYD)?

Based on the definition provided by 4-H.org, PYD is:

“A comprehensive approach to promoting learning and development. Its goal is to help young people feel empowered and develop critical life skills that allow them to reach their fullest potential.”

Some of the key parts of PYD are relationships that are formed with positive adults, providing opportunities for youth to explore their interests, and engaging youth in an atmosphere of belonging. All of these pieces are found in the 4-H Thrive Model.

Incorporating PYD into 4-H Summer Day Camps

There are many ways that PYD is incorporated into summer day camps. While participants are not spending the night at these camps, they are still able to experience some of the “camp magic” through the incorporation of vital PYD practices.

• Time frame: When thinking of “camp magic”, it is largely due to the amount of time that a youth is in the PYD environment. Having a multi-day-long day camp, youth receive these benefits for an extended period of time.
• Escape: providing a safe environment for youth to take a break from outside influences. Youth feel that they have opportunities to belong.
• Sustained relationships: Throughout the day camp week, youth are meeting new people and forming friendships that they will carry with them. Many times these same youth return to camps the next year, continuing to build their friendships! Youth are also able to form positive relationships with trained and caring adults that can influence them for a lifetime.
• Novelty: Day camps are often special in what they are offering for participants to experience.
• Self Discovery: Through providing novel and new experiences, youth have the ability to discover things about themselves. Do they like this? Are they skilled in teamwork or conflict resolution? Do they enjoy speaking in front of others? The possibilities are limitless!

Levy County 4-H Day Camps

Youth will find all of these pieces incorporated into our day camps. Levy County 4-H trains caring staff that will form positive relationships with participants. Through thought-out and detailed schedules, there is an opportunity for every youth to find their place. For more information on Levy County 4-H Day Camps, please email Levy4h@ifas.ufl.edu or call our office at (352)486-5131. We look forward to seeing everyone at camp!

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