From the Extension: Some elements of 4-H are essential to the community
4-H’s reach and depth are unmatched, and it reaches kids all over America to include urban, suburban, and rural settings. 4-H has a network of 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4-H professionals who provide caring and supportive mentorship to all 6 million 4-H’ers, steering those youth to become leaders for today and tomorrow.
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In Lake County, there are over 200 volunteers support he program annually and reach over 6,000 youth through positive youth development experiences. Youth development is a continual growth process; this process is accomplished by utilizing 4-H volunteers and staff.
There are different ways to describe how 4-H professionals and volunteers provide positive youth development; one way is by teaching youth the essential elements of 4-H. The essential elements are “best practices” that help adults address the four components youth need to succeed which are belonging, generosity, independence, and mastery.
Belonging makes youth feel connected, and it is an essential concept for youth to grasp. In a 4-H club, children form positive relationships with their peers and adult role models. The sense of belonging is fundamental for youth to grow into contributing adults who will give back to their families and communities.
4-H brings together youth and adults from different backgrounds, experiences, and levels to better the organization and local community. 4-H is a place where individual members and leaders feel supported and encouraged to succeed. Belonging is taught through positive adult/youth relationships and inclusive/safe environments.
Mastery is when youth master skills related to their project area(s). When youth are involved in 4-H, they develop, and eventually master skills related to a topic while also gaining skills related to becoming a successful adult.
After they develop and master skills, youth can demonstrate and reflect on their skills and knowledge, leading to confidence and competence. Mastery is taught through opportunities to engage in learning and grow within a project.
Independence is a common goal of positive youth development programs. Independence is when young people understand how to complete tasks and projects autonomously, practice making their own decisions, and become free thinkers. In 4-H, youth practice independence with adult direction, and as youth grow, they learn to accomplish tasks with less and less adult guidance.
Independent children will be able to choose their projects, solve problems in their club or school, and think crucially about their local community and world. Independence is taught through the opportunity to see oneself in the future and the opportunity for self-determination.
Generosity is taught at all age levels and clubs and is incorporated in every project area. Through 4-H, youth use their experiences within their project to engage with their club, community, country, and world. In doing this, they feel more connected with themselves and the larger community.
Youth in Lake County 4-H have helped those is the local community by making native bee houses, goat milk soap for the homeless, taking miniature farm animals to retirement homes, donating food to local pantries, and cooking meals for senior citizens during the holidays.
Practicing generosity will teach youth to see the world rather than themselves, showing them how they can have meaning and purpose in it. Generosity is taught through opportunities to value and practice service to others.
The 2022-2023 4-H year opens in September. Clubs are already filling up for the next year, if you are interested in signing up your youth, please contact Dallas Meringolo at hendersond@ufl.edu The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Multiple elements of 4-H programs important to communities
