Youth Programs offer a wide array of learning opportunities and hands-on, practical experiences.

Academic success

Student academic success is the foundation of Cincinnati Museum Center's Youth Programs. While there are no grade requirements to be accepted into the programs, it is stated that each participant will be in good academic standing. Students must meet academic requirements to be accepted on many field experiences and to obtain a paid position in the programs. Through constant communication, Youth Programs staff is kept aware of each student’s academic achievements. While the staff often becomes aware of academic struggles from the student, staff is often made aware from speaking with the student’s parent or guardian. Maintaining positive relationships with the families of our students has allowed us to be a constant force in all areas of their lives.

Why Youth Programs?

History at a glance

• 1989: Established with two students at Cincinnati Museum of Natural History.
• 1993: Establishment of the YouthALIVE! program; focus turns from youth volunteer program to youth development program.
• 1998: Expanded into The Children’s Museum.
• 2000: Introduced into Cincinnati History Museum.
• 2001: Reached a participant level of 150 students per year; renamed from the "Lab Rat" Program to Cincinnati Museum Center Youth Programs.
• 2005: Received “Best Place to Work Out Teenage Angst” award in the Best of Cincinnati edition of Cincinnati CityBeat.
• 2006: Reached an alumni level of more than 1,500 students.
• 2014: Celebrated 25th anniversary.

Cincinnati Museum Center’s Youth Programs began in 1989 when two teens started volunteering in the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science. Hundreds have gone through the program since then, developing the knowledge and confidence it takes to greet visitors, interpret exhibits, and mentor others. An outstanding 99 percent of Youth Program graduates go on to enroll in a 4-year college, 80 percent receiving scholarships or financial aid.

Museum Center's Youth Programs are designed to enhance the creativity, confidence, and success of its members. Through participation in workshops, field trips, college visits, volunteerism and other learning opportunities, participants in Youth Programs are well-prepared for success in high school, college and beyond.

Students may begin volunteering at age 13—well past the age of early childhood educational needs—and are trained to have an impact on Museum Center’s youngest visitors. Youth Programs participants are taught early childhood theory, developing, and presenting educational demonstrations to the visitors. By training our students how to interact and teach our young visitors, Museum Center is excelling in its role as an “investor in community early childhood education.”

Youth Programs academic success by the numbers

• 100%: Participants who have graduated from high school
• 99%: Participants who have enrolled in a four-year college (the other 1 percent have enrolled in technical school or military service)
• 80%: Participants who have received some form of scholarship, several with full rides
• Three: Participants named National Merit Scholars

The most influential resources for academic success we have in Youth Programs are the museums themselves. The students receive in-depth training in all areas of the museum, therefore supplementing—and often exceeding—the lessons and expectations in their classes. We have the unique opportunity of introducing students to leading professionals in science, history and child development. The exposure to these professionals and the constant support of Youth Programs staff clearly provide a setting for each youth’s academic success.