BGCA’s Director of Youth Impact Kelley Carmon is FINALLY on the ClubX Blog! She has so much experience to share from her roles at Clubs across the country, so much so that this will be first in a series. Subscribe at the bottom of this page so that you never miss a new post.
Remember your first day as a youth development professional (YDP)?
You walked into the meeting space where all the members gathered to start their day, lesson plan in hand and just enough confidence to convince everyone, including yourself, that you knew exactly what you were doing and everything was going to go perfectly.
Then you gathered your group and headed to your program space. Within minutes, the youth were talking over one another. Someone needed to use the bathroom. Two members were arguing over a seat. Suddenly, the activity you had carefully planned did not seem so carefully planned anymore. If that sounds familiar, believe me, you are not alone.
Every great YDP started exactly where you are, learning through experience, adjusting along the way and building confidence one day at a time.
Throughout my years in Clubs, I had the opportunity to experience this work from different perspectives, first as an Outreach Coordinator then a Club Director and eventually as VP of Operations. Even after moving into leadership, there were plenty of days when we were short staffed and I stepped right back into programming. Those experiences reminded me just how much skill, patience, flexibility and heart it takes to do this work well!
They also reminded me that what youth remember most is not whether every activity went exactly as planned. They remember the adults who made them feel safe, welcomed and valued. The best YDPs are defined by the relationships they build, the routines they create, their willingness to learn and ask questions and their commitment to showing up for young people every single day.
Whether you are a YDP just beginning your journey or a Club Director supporting the staff who make these moments happen, here are four lessons to carry with you.
Relationships Come First
Before youth fully engage in any activity, they need to know you care about them.
Some of the strongest programs I have ever seen were not successful because they had the coolest supplies or the most creative lesson plans. They were successful because the adult leading them had built genuine relationships with the youth.
That can look like:
- Learning what they are interested in
- Asking about their day
- Checking in on how they are feeling
- Remembering the little things, like asking how their soccer game went
- Following up on something they shared the week before
- Finding common interests
- Letting youth teach you something new
Some of the best relationship-building happens outside of program time, while walking to snack, cleaning up after an activity, playing board games or waiting for parents at pickup. Those small moments build trust over time.
Every young person walks through your doors carrying something different. Some are excited to be at the Club. Others may have had a difficult day at school or be carrying challenges from outside the Club. A simple question like, “How was your day?” or “What’s one good thing that happened today?” can help you understand what a young person needs before programming even begins.
Sometimes the most important part of your program happens before the lesson starts. When young people feel seen and heard, they are more likely to feel connected and ready to engage.
Great Programs Are Built on Consistent Routines
A high-quality Club experience is not just about the activity you planned. It is about everything that happens before, during and after it.
Think about the entire experience.
- How are youth welcomed when they arrive?
- What happens while everyone is getting settled?
- How do you transition between activities?
- How do you wrap up the day?
Clear expectations, consistent routines and engaging transitions help create an environment where youth know what to expect and can be successful.
It is also important to remember that a high-quality session is much more than a quick 15-minute activity. The goal is not simply to check a program off the schedule. It is to create an experience that has a thoughtful beginning, an engaging middle, opportunities for youth voice and interaction, meaningful reflection and a strong closing.
When you intentionally design the entire experience, routines become more than procedures or check boxes. They create a place where youth know what to expect, feel like they belong and can fully engage in learning.
Don’t Abandon the Lesson. Adapt It.
Every YDP has experienced it. You planned an activity you were excited about. Then only half the group wanted to participate. The materials didn’t work. Behavior challenges started popping up. Your timing got off track. The temptation is to give up and switch to something easy. I challenge you to pause instead. Take a deep breath and ask yourself:
What is working, and what can I adjust in the moment?
Chances are, not everything has gone off track. Build on what your members are enjoying, make a few adjustments and keep moving forward. Sometimes the best lessons happen because you are willing to adapt rather than abandon the experience.
Young people come to the Club to discover new interests, build friendships, develop new skills and be part of something meaningful. They deserve experiences that challenge them, spark their curiosity and make them excited to return. While flexibility is important, do not let one difficult moment convince you to give up on a great opportunity for learning.
As you are thinking about how to adjust in the moment, do not forget to consider what your members’ behavior might be telling you. Behavior is communication.
Instead of immediately reacting, get curious and ask yourself:
- What might this young person be trying to communicate?
- Are they frustrated?
- Are they overwhelmed?
- Do they need connection?
Seeking to understand before responding often changes the outcome for both the young person and the rest of the group. Sometimes the adjustment your lesson needs is not changing the activity at all. It is taking a moment to reconnect with the young people in front of you.
The best facilitators are not perfect planners. They are flexible thinkers who adapt, reflect and keep moving forward.
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
One of the best things you can do as a YDP is ask for help.
Some of the strongest staff I have worked with were not the ones who had all the answers. They were the ones who were willing to ask questions, seek feedback and learn from others. Take time to observe another YDP. Ask your supervisor or teammates for ideas. Talk through a challenging situation. Odds are someone else has faced it too. Share what’s working and what’s not.
Youth development has always been a team effort. The best Clubs are not built by one great staff member. They are built by teams who learn from and support one another.
As You Continue to Grow…
As you continue growing as a YDP, remember to give yourself grace. Not every lesson will go as planned. You will make mistakes, discover new strategies and find approaches that work better than the ones you started with. That’s not a setback. It is part of becoming a great YDP.
Every experience, whether it felt like a success or a struggle, helped shape the YDP you are today. So keep building relationships. Keep creating meaningful experiences. Keep asking questions. Keep learning. And most importantly, keep showing up for the young people who count on you every day.
Long after youth forget the specific activity you planned, they will remember the caring adult who believed in them, encouraged them and helped make the Club a place where they felt safe, valued and inspired to grow.
What advice do you have for Club staff? How do you support new YDPs or staff as they transition into new roles? Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
About Kelley Carmon
