Belonging. New friends. Fresh foods. Joy. Embracing a whole-child perspective, this playlist celebrates the many everyday ways we can nourish youth health and wellness. Dive into this collection and you’ll find blood-pumping relay races, team-building balloon tosses, and creativity-boosting game design. Plus this playlist is brimming with learning resources you can use to introduce youth to yoga, mindfulness meditation, and the health benefits of seasonal fruits and vegetables!

“Physical activity, creative expression, and social interaction are all essential for well-rounded development that goes beyond the classroom. Whether it’s through sports, outdoor adventures, or introductions to wellness, youth learn the value of taking care of their body and mind. And that’s a cornerstone of their success and happiness.” — Richmond Brown, Jr.

Richmond Brown, Jr. is a native of Charleston, SC who recently relocated to Los Angeles, CA continuing 15 years of dedication and service in leadership in the out-of-school time field. As the Associate Director of Programs with Woodcraft Rangers, he oversees expanded learning partnerships and 21st CCLC programs throughout the Los Angeles area.

In this collection, learners explore the stories of lesser-known Black American innovators by creating their own Innovator Trading Cards. Using short texts and close reading strategies, students identify key details about how each innovator helped their community and represent that learning through words, symbols, and color. As the weeks progress, learners build a growing card collection connected by shared themes. In the final game, students use their cards to respond to community challenge scenarios, practicing teamwork, reasoning, and explaining how different kinds of innovation work together to solve problems.