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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth face a disproportionate risk of a range of problem issues such as depression and drug use (Saewyc, 2011). However, little is known about factors that might promote positive developmental experiences among young people who identify as a non-dominant sexuality. The National Research Council’s (2002) features of positive developmental settings framework provides strong theoretical rationale for factors likely to promote positive development experiences, but the usefulness of its propositions for LGBTQ youth has yet to be explored. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the National Research Council’s (2002) features of positive developmental settings framework in the context of an organized leisure program designed to serve LGBTQ youth. Ethnographic techniques were employed to explore program structure and features at an organized leisure program designed to serve LGBTQ youth. Data collection techniques included (a) interviews (n= 13);(b) field notes from four months spent as a participant observer,(c) a researcher journal, and (d) collecting program documents such as the volunteer training manual. Thematic analysis indicated that although all of the National Research Council’s features appeared relevant, two emerged as particularly significant contributors to positive development: support for efficacy and mattering and opportunities to belong. Staffers endeavored to support a range of levels of engagement by enforcing social norms that reinforced the capabilities of youth as well as providing a range of structured and unstructured activity options. However, this …