Immersive Learning Labs

A Youth Development Incubator

Through the established Aspirations Incubator, youth-serving organizations and professionals engage in experiential learning activities that enable them to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practices in authentic rural contexts. The youth development incubator fosters problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking by immersing participants in a dynamic learning environment.

About the Aspirations Incubator

In 2016, the Rural Futures Fund announced a new strategic philanthropic focus: addressing Maine's rural aspirations challenge. To achieve its goal of getting more rural youth on a pathway to and through post-secondary education, the Rural Futures Fund established the Aspirations Incubator, a pilot program designed to create, demonstrate, and evaluate a youth development model that could be replicated in Maine and beyond.

The Aspirations Incubator (AI) carefully selected a group of rural youth development organizations from across the state that were interested in creating a new long-term youth development model within their communities. To support each AI partner organization in designing these new models, they were first trained in the Trekkers Youth Programming Principles – essential program components initially designed for youth in midcoast Maine at Trekkers. 

The Aspirations Incubator sites used the Youth Programming Principles to develop their own program designs, incorporating the unique strengths of their local communities. A crucial feature of the Aspirations Incubator model is that it starts working with young people in the 7th grade and continues until their high school graduation. This allows the program model to support young people during the critical middle school years, when personal identity and aspirations begin to form.

Each Aspirations Incubator site implemented the AI program model for 6 years, through the end of the pilot in 2023, adapting the model to the emerging needs of the community and regular feedback from the Aspirations Incubator’s independent evaluation process conducted by the Data Innovation Project.  This process of learning and refinement coalesced into a new framework for the Aspirations Incubator.

The Aspirations Incubator Pillars and Practices Framework

After 6 years of refining the model, AI established the Aspirations Incubator Pillars and Practices framework, streamlining its strategic approach to uplifting rural youth aspirations.

Presenting the Foundation Pillars of the Framework

The Pillars of the framework represent the core values that guide the model's innovative approach to youth development. These values include a focus on self-discovery, fostering meaningful connections, building competence, and making a positive contribution. The Pillars stand as the cornerstone of the framework, reflecting AI's primary areas of focus in promoting youth development in rural communities.

Delving into the Practices of the Framework

The Pillars set the foundational values, but it's the Practices that provide the hands-on strategies for youth development within each Pillar. Meticulously designed to adapt to each young person's unique strengths and aspirations, the Practices promote youth engagement, skill-building, and personal growth, seamlessly intertwining with the overarching Pillars.

Expanding the Reach of the Aspirations Incubator Pillars and Practices

For six transformative years, the Aspirations Incubator has ignited potential and changed the trajectories of over 425 rural Maine youth. Through a steadfast focus on relationship building and cultivating a profound sense of belonging, we've witnessed soaring post-secondary aspirations among AI program participants. As of May 2023, 90% of Aspirations Incubator graduates planned to pursue 2- or 4-year college degrees or career credentials.

As the Aspirations Incubator moves beyond the pilot phase, the Rural Youth Institute will host the Aspirations Incubator and expand the reach of the model into more rural communities by supporting new AI programming through an immersive learning lab where new sites provide continued learning and experience with what works to support rural youth to build aspirations for the future.  Building on the 5 pilot sites, the goal is to establish 7 new sites over the next couple of years, for a total of 12 Aspirations Incubator sites operating in rural Maine communities by the end of 2025

Current Aspirations Incubator Partner Sites:

  • 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond

  • Old Town-Orono YMCA

  • EdGE Program at Maine Seacoast Mission

  • The Game Loft

  • Midcoast Youth Center (new host for Waypoint)

  • Rivers and Roads (new site)

 

To learn more about the Rural Youth Institute’s immersive learning lab, please contact us at info@ruralyouthinstitute.org