Abstract: A method for promoting positive youth development using a computer system coupled to a database is provided. The method includes selecting youths for inclusion in a youth development program by applying a pre-determined selection criteria to data stored within the database, providing a development plan to each selected youth wherein the development plan includes a set of goals to be achieved over a specific period of time and a set of tasks to be performed to facilitate achieving the set of goals, monitoring the selected youth within a residential summer camp portion of the youth development program, tracking and monitoring family and community service involvement by the selected youth outside of the summer camp portion of the development program, tracking and monitoring continuing education expectations of the selected youth, and verifying an ongoing connection between the selected youth and youth development program staff for a predetermined period of time.