How can we create summer programs where teens feel motivated, connected, and empowered? In this interactive session, we’ll explore strategies from Dr. David Yeager’s adolescent motivation research and principles from Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s healing centered engagement framework to design programs that are flexible, relevant, and responsive to the needs and interests of youth today. Through scenarios and discussion, we’ll identify strategies for building meaningful, impactful relationships and engaging programs. Together, we’ll explore how staff can lead with a mentor mindset and healing-centered approach to foster young people’s sense of purpose, agency, and belonging. Participants will leave with practical tools and new ideas to promote a supportive, healing, and inspiring summer for teens.
Participants will:
- Understand key science-based strategies to motivate and engage adolescents
- Reflect on own mindsets and roles in supporting youth and building relationships
- Explore the principles of healing centered engagement to promote equity and cultural responsiveness
- Apply concrete strategies to design summer programs that foster belonging, purpose, and agency in teens
