Describes Camp Adventure, a recreation program for children of U.S. military personnel, as an example of contracted youth services. Discusses advantages of contracting, such as management specialization, unique resources, development of standards for contract performance, organizational flexibility, and mutual commitment of each party to the…

Describes two evaluation studies that faced ethical problems because of an atmosphere of promotion and advocacy. One was the evaluation of a teachers' professional-development program, and the other was an evaluation of a federally funded youth sports program. The realization and resolution of ethical conduct must come from within the evaluator.…

Presents narrative accounts of the meaning of work and love for two Latino community youth activists, exploring how Latino community development in the city has given meaning to the lives of these youths and their families, neighbors, and other young people. The educational implications of their stories are discussed. (SLD)

Describes development of the U.S. service-learning movement: early roots; American Youth Foundation and National Youth Leadership Council leadership camps for youth, which combined adventure, performing arts, and social justice themes; the campaign to implement an integrated statewide youth-service model in Minnesota; creation of AmeriCorps; and…

Friends Forever brings together teenagers from hostile factions in divided countries such as Northern Ireland or Israel. Among other activities, the program sponsors three-week adventure experiences for the teenagers at the University of New Hampshire's Brown Center. The experiences of one group of Israeli and Arab youth are described. (SV)

The outdoor experience's core element of connection to the earth is a central feature of an environmental-education project in Canl forest sanctuary (Chile). Developed to provide integrated environmental and adventure-education experiences to forest visitors, the project expanded to train local youth as ecotourism guides and native-tree nursery…

Recounts the personal experiences of a 15-year old boy, who is scared to discover that he will be placed in a group home. Reveals that moving into the home placed him in a supportive community that helped foster his resilience and helped him take control of his life. (Author/GCP)

Presents findings from a 1-year study of a network of neighborhood and youth programs in a low-income, Latino, Chicago neighborhood. Data from observations and interviews with workers and youths describe youth characteristics, the programs' daily functioning, how workers constructed and carried out their roles, the nature of worker-youth…

Social exclusion and widespread unemployment present a dim future for many of England's youth. Article presents two innovative community intervention programs that are working to restore hope and highlights the projects' positive results. (Author/GCP)

A Singapore educator reflects on the transformation of Singapore to an urban, consumer society. Reviews the need and opportunities for adventure in Singapore, including commercially operated play programs for young children, field trips and extracurricular activities for school-age children, leadership training programs for the upper secondary…

A resident of a center for homeless youth in Birmingham, England, describes a three-day outing to Wales in which eight male and female residents hiked, camped, participated in rock climbing and abseiling, appreciated the magnificent scenery, and had a great time. (SV)

Discusses the Los Angeles Public Library's TeenS'cape, located in the middle of the city's Central Library. This technically sophisticated library space, opened after the 1992 L.A. riots, provides custom furnishings, postmodernist architecture, and equipment and materials specifically catered to the local teens, amid the culture of…

A Winnipeg (Manitoba) school teacher started a nonprofit job skills training program for at-risk youth. Police donated equipment confiscated from marijuana cultivators to the program, which trains youth aged 15-29 in hydroponics, horticulture, and greenhouse operations. More than 75 percent of its graduates are employed in greenhouse or related…

California 4-H, a program of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, delivers a rich mix of educational activities during, before, and after school that go beyond the traditional focus on agriculture. Programs include a study of adolescent career choices, a homework club, several science education programs,…

Describes various organizations that offer programs and services for youth in their early teens. Explains the philosophy of positive youth development that is an emerging theme in this long-standing but newly self-conscious field. Reviews principles of best practice and key implementation challenges. (SLD)