How to Set Goals for Youth in a Recreational Program

Setting goals for youth recreational programs can make your program more effective.

Recreational programs for youth can be extremely beneficial in terms of developing social, physical, intellectual and emotional skills. You must have goals within this type of program, however, if you wish to assist youth in their development. Setting goals allows you and your participants to work together toward common objectives. Goal setting gives your program a focus, which will serve as the structure around which you will organize your activities and events.

Instructions

1. Write down your own ideas concerning the goals you would like to achieve through your program. Common goals for recreational youth programs include developing sportsmanship, learning various sports skills, interacting in positive ways with peers and leaders and practicing character traits such as honesty, responsibility and generosity.

2. Meet with the youth and parents of youth who participate in your program. Ask them to write down the goals that they would like to set for the program. This helps the participants to take ownership of the goals, which will increase the chance of the youth attaining the goals.

3. Compile a list of goals that are a combination of your ideas as well as the youth and parents' ideas.

4. Distribute the list of goals to all participants and their families.

5. Post the goals around the facility in which your youth group meets. Refer to the goals often.

6. Offer incentives to youth who accomplish the goals. For instance, you could choose one child each week who demonstrates a certain character trait and award this child with a certificate, wristband or coupon for a local restaurant.

References

• Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station: Goal Setting, Planning & Decision Making
• Kids Goals: Ideas for Setting New Year's Goals With Your Kids