The US Play Coalition is pleased to partner with Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute for their 
third annual Youth Development Practitioner Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding performance in the creation and implementation of youth development programs or services. The YLI award winner will be named at the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Value of Play in Clemson, SC.
According to Stephen Lance, Executive Director of Youth Learning Institute, “There are many deserving practitioners across the nation and our goal is to bring recognition to this field of service.”
The 2017 inaugural award went to Dan Mathews, chief operating officer at Camp Twin Lakes, a Georgia-based organization that provides camp experiences for children with serious illnesses, disabilities and other life challenges.
The 2018 YLI Youth Development Practitioner Award recipient is Pat Rumbaugh, a play advocate and co-founder of Let’s Play America. She is known as “The Play Lady”, has for more than 10 years, been an advocate, author, and participant in play activities for youth and the young at heart.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Youth Development Practitioner Award. Deadline for nominations is December 15, 2018. The winner of the 2019 Youth Development Practitioner Award will be notified in mid-January and recognized at the 10th Anniversary Conference on the Value of Play at Clemson University, March 31-April 3, 2019. The winner will have conference fees paid, hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel to attend the Play Conference.
2019 Youth Development Practitioner Award Application Process
Purpose:
To recognize outstanding performance in the creation and implementation of youth development programs or services.
Eligibility:
Must have operated a youth development program or service within the United States for at least 10 or more years.
Evaluation Criteria:
Applicants should show evidence of as many of met criteria in their submitted statement.
- Accomplishments serve as an example for other youth serving programs.
- Program/service demonstrates best practices and a nurturing culture that supports inclusivity and human resilience.
- Outreach efforts promote youth development programs and encourage support and participation from the community at-large.
- Equips young people to lead and serve, through direct work with youth and by training other practitioners.
- Demonstrates positive impact on lives of young people and leads by example.
- Demonstrates high level of leadership, professionalism and integrity in the field of youth development.
- Strengthens the field of youth work by providing quality training opportunities for youth workers to maximize their investment in young people.
- Focuses on attempts to improve the quality of youth services by providing training standards and improving program function.
- Shares best practices with other youth practitioners or serves as a liaison in the community to create a network of participation and sharing of ideas/knowledge.
- Program/service demonstrates exceptional commitment to public service and/or educational leadership.
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Bulger at bulger@clemson.edu.