Who operates 4-H?
4-H is the youth development component of the University of Connecticut
Cooperative Extension System. Cooperative Extension is located at the land-grant
University of every state in the United States. 4-H Youth Development is delivered
locally and operated at the state and national levels through a partnership
among the land grant colleges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This
partnership ensures that 4-H programming is backed by the research and knowledge
base of the nation’s premier land-grant universities and the support
of state and federal governments.
How much does it cost?
There is no state or national dues structure for 4-H involvement. Individual
groups may charge dues to cover expenses, and some project areas may require
extra financial investments for supplies, equipment and travel.
Who is involved in 4-H?
4-H Youth Development programs are located in all 8 counties in Connecticut.(link
to map of Ct with FC highlited) Each year, 29,000 youth and 8,000
adult and older teen volunteers from major cities, suburbs, towns
and rural communities participate in 4-H. Nationally, 4-H youth programs
involve more than 7 million young people from all 50 states and many
U.S. territories.
How old do you have to be to join?
4-H programs are open to youth aged 5 to 19. Adults aged 19 and older are
encouraged to join 4-H as volunteers.
Where do 4-Hers meet?
4-H groups can meet in volunteer leader’s or member’s homes,
after school programs, community centers, school-aged child care centers,
schools, camps, and other public buildings. Youth can join 4-H in a variety
of ways.
How did 4-H originate?
4-H clubs were preceded by corn clubs for boys and canning clubs for girls,
organized early in the 1900’s by public school educators who wanted
to broaden the knowledge and experience of their students. 4-H became an
official part of the Cooperative Extension System, along with agriculture
and home economics, at about the time Cooperative Extension was officially
established by the U.S. Congress in 1914. The term “4H club” first
appeared in a federal document in 1918 and by the mid- 1920’s, 4-H
was well on its way to becoming a significant national program for youth.
4-H is an American idea that has spread around the world. 4-H, throughout
its long history, has constantly adapted to the every-changing needs and
interests of youth. From its inception until now, 4-H has maintained and
sustained the effective model of adults and youth working together to provide
guidance, experience and opportunities for youth to develop to their full
potential.
How are 4-Hers recognized?
The National 4-H Recognition Model provides the recognition, support and
encouragement for learning in the following areas of recognition:
~participation of members in an educational activity
~cooperation in learning and working together
~peer competition – recognition for the best
team or individual at a specific time and place
~standards of excellence – measuring a member’s accomplishment
against a set of standards- commonly called the Danish System. In this system,
members receive colored ribbons based on a score determined according to established
standard. In the Danish system, more than one blue, red, white or green ribbon
can be awarded.
~progress towards self-set goals – personal goals set by the individual
youth allow for the unique worth of that individual. Setting realistic and
reasonable goals, planning ways to achieve those goals, evaluating progress
and then celebrating accomplishments are part of this process
What about volunteers?
Volunteers are an essential part of the overall 4-H program. Approximately
8,000 youth and adult volunteers participate in the Connecticut 4-H
program. Adult and teen volunteers work at the local and state level
to support experiential learning activities for youth. 4-H volunteers
have the opportunity to contribute their time, energies, talents,
and knowledge to help develop 4-H youth in a positive, educational
way. They can be
club, group or resource leaders, middle management volunteers or committee
members.
The strength of a successful 4-H program is a setting where volunteers and
youth work together over a period of time. That provides the best opportunity
for positive youth development.
What is the official 4-H MOTTO?
"To Make the Best Better" is the aim of each member in improving
their project work and in building better clubs and communities.
What is the official 4-H SLOGAN?
“Learn by Doing” is the 4-H member’s way of acquiring new
skills and learning how to get along with others. New skills come from working
with the hands. The ability to get along with others comes from working and
playing with the group.
Why is the clover green and white?
The green clover, nature’s most common color symbolizes life. The white
H’s symbolizes purity
What is the 4-H pledge?
I pledge…
My HEAD to clearer thinking,
My HEART to greater loyalty,
My HANDS to better service,
My HEALTH to better living,
For my club, my community, my country and my world.
What are the four H’s?
Head, Heart, Hands and Health
- Head – 4-H lets kids take the lead—with the help of adult
partners—in thinking, learning and problem-solving.
- Heart – 4-H helps kids build strong relationships with peers and
adults based on caring and respect.
- Hands – 4-H lets kids learn by doing and then use their talents
and skills to make their communities better places in which to live and
grow.
- Health – 4-H helps kids make healthy choices to keep them physically
and mentally able to do what they need to at school, at home and in their
communities.
Staff
County 4-H Educators lead and support the work of 4-H volunteers and members
in that county. They cooperate with other County 4-H Educators, other Cooperative
Extension System Educators, and local, regional and state partners. This
multidisciplinary approach is used often in program design, implementation
and evaluation.
How do you join 4-H?
For more information about how to join or get involved as a volunteer, contact
Ede Valiquette, 67 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801, 203-207-3264, edith.valiquette@uconn.edu.
All Cooperative Extension Offices are listed in the blue (government) pages
of your phone book under State of Connecticut- Higher Education- University
of Connecticut.
What do 4-H members do?
4-H groups must do certain things do be a “club in good standing”,
but how they accomplish these things are up to them. 4-H is “youth
run and adult facilitated.” All 4-Hers are generally involved in project
learning, community service, and leadership and recreational activities.
Youth in clubs also conduct club business.
In addition to completing and keeping records on their own projects, members
hold club offices, help younger children, and plan and participate in community
service projects and county activities. County activities include 4-H festivals,
project related events, public speaking, project evaluations and field trips.
State activities, leadership activities, trips to Washington D.C. and conferences
at UConn are some of the special activities available for teens.
What is a 4-H project?
One of the greatest strengths of 4-H is its "learning by doing" projects.
A 4-H project is the thought, work, and action involved in learning a specific
subject. Activities such as tours, field trips, judging, and workshops enhance
the learning. Each member chooses a project that fits his/her interest/s,
home situation, and ability. Projects vary in difficulty according to the
age and experience of the member. Youth want projects that are fun, help
them discover new information, and help them learn new skills.
Adults often see 4-H projects as ways to create more interest in daily tasks,
strengthen family and community ties, develop leadership skills, and explore
vocational opportunities.
What do 4-Hers learn?
Through their projects, members gain proficiency in various subject matters
of their choosing, they also acquire life skills which help them now and
in the future, through their personal, educational and work lives. Leadership
and service to the community are emphasized. 4-H alumni say the program
taught them skills such as communication, working with others, creative
problem solving, work ethic, decision making, goal setting, public speaking,
managing resources, management information responsibility, self management,
and honesty. Hands-on activities help young people in “learning by
doing”.
4-H offers learning experiences in more than 200 subject matter areas. These
subject matter areas are divided into 10 emphasis areas:
- Science and Technology
- Plants and Animals
- Consumer and Family Sciences
- Leadership Education
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Personal Development
- Communication and Expressive Arts
- Environmental Education & Earth Science
- Citizenship Education
- Workforce Preparation
- 4-H projects range from aerospace to zoology!
All youth, no matter their interest, can find a place.
How do they learn?
Three types of learning experiences are emphasized in 4-H youth development
programs and activities: hands-on (making, producing, practicing, observing,
etc.); organized activities (demonstrations, workshops, field trips, camps,
etc.); and leadership/citizenship (conducting, planning, assisting, informing,
organizing, etc.)
In addition to learning subject matter information in their project work,
youngsters learn about leadership, community service and other life skills.
4-H groups are youth-run and adult facilitated. 4-H members hold club offices,
help younger children, and participate and plan community service projects.
State activities, leadership activities, trips to Washington and conferences
at the University are some of the special activities for 4-H teens. 4-H alumni
say that 4-H taught them life skills such as: communication, working together,
creative problem solving, work ethic, decision making, public speaking and
goal setting. The skills they learned in 4-H, help them today in their personal
and in their work life.
4-H encourages youth to discover their potential in many areas and expand
their horizons. Young people “learn by doing” through hands on
activities.
Learning Materials
As part of the land grant university system, 4-H curriculum is research-based.
Although curriculum is available through the National 4-H Curriculum collection,
4-hers can use any curriculum that meets their specific needs.
