Key Principles
Eight underlying principles guide research and development to ensure that programs are effective within the entire scope of youth environments–inner city, suburban, and rural communities–and in serving young people across all income levels.
- Programs are comprehensive, focusing on a positive prevention approach and a broad range of life skills that can be consistently taught and reinforced throughout childhood and adolescence. Programs are appropriate to children’s levels of cognitive and social development.
- As the primary educators of children, parents are involved as an integral part of the program’s implementation.
- Training is required for all adults implementing programs.
- Collaboration and partnership between home, school, and community is essential.
- Each effort must be culturally relevant to the youth it serves.
- Evaluation and accountability support successful outcomes.
- Programs are values-based, emphasizing the core positive values of self-discipline, responsibility, healthy living, volunteer service, and commitment to family, school, peers, and the community.
- Programs are community-based, recognizing that positive youth development is best accomplished at the local level.
The Lions Quest vision invites adults in all walks of life to become part of a community network that serves young people. By motivating and equipping adults to be wise, caring teachers and guides, Lions Quest provides the means for nurturing the very best qualities in each and every young person.