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Blog Entries - positive youth development

A child works in a notebook while laying in gradd

Green Schoolyards are on the Rise

The green schoolyards movement is growing. A green schoolyard is an outdoor space that supports a school’s mission to help kids learn and grow through instruction, exploration, and play. There’s no one correct

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a young person sits on a horse with two staff members on either side
Photo courtesy of Hands and Hearts for Horses

Equine Connections Promote Youth Development Outcomes

There are so many different ways to promote positive youth development. Some youth programs focus on sports, while others emphasize camping, and still others center around art or science. What most youth development

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A group of youth smile and wave while wearing masks
Photo courtesy of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

Grantee Spotlight: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is one of the greatest American athletes of all time. She competed in the heptathlon and the long jump in four Olympic games, winning six medals. But before she became a track and field legend,

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a young woman leans against a wall with a cup of tea

Trauma Informed Practices Support Youth Resilience

When we think about trauma, we often imagine a single precipitating event, maybe an accident, a natural disaster, or an assault. These can certainly be causes of trauma, but chronic adversity, systemic lack of

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three young kids on a playground

Nature Can Boost Positive Youth Development

Positive youth development (PYD) is a key aspect of many youth recreation programs. While PYD sounds like industry jargon, it is simply an approach to engaging with young people that works towards positive life outcomes

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coach with young swimmers

Positive Coaching Workshop Highlights Youth Development in Sports

Last month, NRF partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to offer a workshop for our grantees focused on making youth athletic programming more meaningful for participants. While PCA’s work is generally

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