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4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
4-H Youth
Development is people – youths and adult’s volunteers sharing,
learning and growing, becoming the best they can be! This mission is not
reached through one activity or event, but rather through a number of
educational activities that relate to the total concept of youth
development.
WHAT IS TRADITIONAL 4-H ABOUT?
Every 4-H member selects at least one
project. A project is what the member decides to study about, make, or
raise. Members choose projects that fit into their family, community,
and the way they live. Sharing projects with parents bring 4-H into the
family and the family into 4-H.
4-H members can choose project in:
Animal Sciences: Dairy Cattle, Pygmy
and Dairy Goat, Beef, Sheep, Swine, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, Dog, Guide
Dog Puppy, Cat, Llama, Cavies, Veterinary Science
Expressive Arts: Creative Arts,
Leather craft, Photography, and Clowning
Family Living: Clothing, Foods and
Nutrition, Child Care, Knitting & Crocheting, Food Preservation,
Money Management
Mechanical Sciences: Aerospace,
Bicycle, Computer, Small Engines, and Woodworking
Environmental Stewardship:
Discovery, Earth Savers, Challenge, Forestry, Geology, and Archery
Plant Sciences: Citizenship,
Cross-Cultural, Health, and Leadership
Social Sciences: Citizenship,
Cross-Cultural, Health, and Leadership
Other Projects: Members may develop
special projects with the help of their leaders and the Extension Agent.
Basically, 4-H members "learn by
doing". Young people, with guidance from adults, learn useful
skills and how to live with people and serve their community and country
by practicing these skills in real-life situations.
4-H members learn by taking part in:
· Project
Work. Project work helps members gain knowledge and skills and
learn to take responsibility. By doing project work at home, members
can develop a feeling of partnership with their parents.
· Public
Presentations. 4-H members show and tell others how to do things
they learn. This is a members’ first step to helping other and
developing leadership.
· Record
Keeping. 4-H members write a record and story of what they have
done in each project. Keeping records helps members evaluate their 4-H
learning and develops business sense. Records must be completed and
signed by members’ parents and leader at the end of the 4-H year.
· Recreation.
4-H’ers learn to enjoy life, themselves, and their association with
others in social activities.
· Club
Projects. The entire club can plan a project. In Community Service
projects, 4-H’ers do things to improve their community. 4-H clubs
often choose community projects in conservation, beautification,
safety, or health.
· County
Contests. 4-H members taking part in contests are judged so they
learn how to improve. 4-H’ers receive ribbons for their efforts.
· Exhibits.
Members may exhibit their project results at club meetings, local
fairs, and the state 4-h fair. Exhibiting 4-H projects shows others
what 4-H’ers are doing, helps members find where they can improve
their work, and give members a sense of pride and accomplishments
· 4-H
Camp. Many 4-H members attend camp. They take part in educational
and recreational experiences as they learn more about nature and
themselves.
· 4-H
Exchanges. Exchanges can be arranged with clubs from different
counties, urban and rural members, clubs in other states, Canadian
clubs, and with similar programs in other counties. Exchanges help 4-H’ers
develop a broader knowledge of people and living situations and
provide the chance for creating lasting friendships.
WHO HELPS A 4-H MEMBER?
4-H members are helped by adults. These
adults are volunteer leaders. Ever 4-H club needs one or more adult
leaders. These leaders:
· Help
teach boys and girls.
· Help
organize the club
· Help
officers and assist at meetings.
· Inform
parents about 4-H.
There are different kinds of 4-H leaders:
· Club
Leader. Works with general club meetings.
· Project
Leader. Works with members on their project work.
· Activity
Leader. Responsible for one or more activities. Some examples are
recreation, record keeping, public presentations or community service
activities.
· Teen
Leader. Works under the guidance of an adult. Helps with
activities and events or helps members with their project work.
4-H volunteers are valued by WSU
Cooperative Extension and the 4-H Youth Development Program. 4-H
volunteers and extension staff work together as a team.
In Pacific County, young people may join
4-H Clubs beginning in Kindergarten. Youngsters should contact a local
4-H leader or call the Extension Office at 875-9331 or 642-9331.
4-H is the youth education program of
Cooperative Extension. It is conducted through the joint efforts of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, and
Pacific County government, by volunteer leaders.
Cooperative Extension programs and
policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on
nondiscrimination regarding race, color, gender, national origin,
religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation.
4-H also offers Youth Enrichment programs
for teachers and volunteers. These short-term supplements can easily
be used in classrooms and with informal youth groups. The programs are
endorsed by Washington State University 4-H Youth Programs and are
designed to help youth develop life skills through educational
activities. The majority of programs are free or low-cost. There may
be a small charge for supporting materials.
Contact the Pacific County Extension
Office for more information and to preview any of the materials.
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