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4-H
is more than you ever imagined. The 4-H Youth
Development Program is based on the foundation that youth are
a vital resource...that the youth of today comprise our most
important building block for the future. The world is changing
rapidly today, and societal changes continually put pressures
on our nation's youth. Young people face challenges created by
unique family environments, negative peer pressure, youth
unemployment, economic stress on families, crime, and
violence, drop-out rates, and drugs and alcohol. The American
work force, the economy, the social structure, education,
justice, and democratic government all depend on the next
generation of educated, concerned and involved youth. The 4-H
Program helps youth build a solid foundation of knowledge and
life skills. 4-Hers learn responsibility, resiliency,
citizenship and good work habits. The 4-H Program offers a
wealth of opportunities for young people to learn decision
making, leadership and communication skills, interpersonal
relations and community service.
Assisting
young people as they prepare for the future continues to be
the central mission of 4-H. The 4-H vision is to be a world
leader in developing youth to become self-directed,
productive, contributing members and leaders of society
through interaction with adults who care.
More
Than You Ever Imagined The 4-H emblem, a clover bearing an
"H" on each of its four leaves, represents the
characteristics each member develops: head, heart, hands, and
health. Head involves thinking, making decisions, and learning
new things, while heart entails caring about other people,
accepting responsibility, and developing values. Hands
symbolize the effort to acquire and perfect new skills and to
help others. Health involves protecting the well-being of
yourself and others.
Kids
in 4-H learn and grow by completing projects - constructive
activities ranging from archery to woodworking. 4-Hers choose
projects to enhance their communities, launch a rocket,
explore insects, raise animals, learn to sew, build things, or
just satisfy their curiosity about a topic.
Cooperative
Extension agents, specialists and volunteers contribute
technical knowledge in subject areas, such as:
4-Hers
have fun while they develop good work habits, business skills,
responsibility, cooperation, commitment, and sportsmanship. By
setting goals, making plans to reach them, and completing
projects, 4-Hers learn to make decisions, how to use their
time efficiently, and how to meet deadlines. In the course of
each project, they demonstrate their new skills and give oral
reports to their clubs, gaining experience in public speaking
and presentations.
4-Hers
also learn to work with each other. Members enrolled in the
same kind of projects often cooperate by comparing notes,
studying together, and sharing ideas and methods. Youth
working on projects learn record keeping, written
communication skills and follow-through on commitments.
Competing in judging contests helps kids appreciate teamwork
and group decision-making. For a team to succeed, each member
must be prepared to work and contribute skills to the group.
As
youth work together and begin to assume meaningful roles in
the process of developing communities, they become invested in
their future, the people with whom they live, their
surroundings and the larger community.
Our
expert agents and specialists will help you become involved in
the 4-H program or direct you to sources to answer your
specific questions. Together we'll build a new foundation to
support youth and families for many generations to come.
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