This document summarizes findings from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's National Cross-Site Evaluation of High-Risk Youth Programs, which identified characteristics associated with strong substance abuse prevention outcomes in 48 prevention programs. It provides concrete guidance regarding what elements of design and implementation are…

There is considerable literature to indicate that mentoring relationships support the healthy development of children and youth by reducing risky behaviors, and the number of mentoring programs has increased dramatically in recent years. This California Research Bureau report examines the research literature evaluating the effectiveness of…

This study explores the value-oriented behaviors associated with membership in prominent youth organizations in the Soviet Union and the United States of America during the Cold War. The archetypal heroic ideals and values of the Soviet Octoberists and Pioneers and the U.S. Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations were examined. Key political,…

Increasingly, out-of-school time programs are being asked to provide data that documents their progress and demonstrates their results. But for many OST programs and their over-worked staff this added responsibility is the "straw that broke the camel?s back." Across the country there is a cry from programs for help in deciding what to measure and…

Describes a number of educational and cultural enrichment programs, including some that provide classes in computer and science-oriented courses, designed to supplement and expand upon what urban students learn in public schools. Provides addresses of programs in several cities. (AOS)

The technical needs of adults in agriculture have important implications for the planning and delivery of relevant instructional programs. There are also related implications for planning the preservice and inservice preparation programs for teachers of vocational agriculture who will be working with adults. (SSH)

Assessed the effects of participation in a Big Sisters' Program. The first part consisted of interviews (N=20) with pairs of Big Sisters-Little Sisters. The second part evaluated program effectiveness experimentally. Findings indicated positive relationships between pairs, and improved behavior of experimental girls versus controls. (RC)

Three possibilities through which children find enjoyment in sport are explored: (1) Sport may be considered as play by children; (2) sport may be seen as success-motivating; and (3) children may find sport enjoyable because the activity itself is absorbing. (JN)

In the development of a seventh/eighth grade basketball program for boys, it was determined that excessive competition should be avoided. Several objectives were formed around the primary theme of maximum participation: having fun, improving fundamental skills, and maintaining players' level of interest. (JN)

Described is a fund-raising project successfully undertaken by a Young Farmer organization in Virginia; students cleared tree-covered land in return for the use of the acreage to raise crops of corn and rye. Profits were used to send members to national conventions. (AJ)

Community HealthCorps members working in community health centers provided HIV/AIDS prevention education to youth as part of their community service work. After HealthCorps members received training in the curriculum, Be Proud! Be Responsible!, they recruited youth from their communities to complete the program, offering prevention education which…

Details some ways schools and community-based organizations can form effective school-site after-school collaborative programs. Describes factors exacerbating misperceptions between teachers and youth workers, and offers suggestions for combining both partners' perspectives through joint planning, hiring staff approved by both programs, joint…

Research suggests eight universal features that should be present in all youth development programs. Each feature is named and described, opposite poles are noted, and camp-specific actions to incorporate the feature are listed. A flow chart presents a series of questions to help camp administrators determine whether these features are present in…