4-H Volunteer Resources

General Resources

4-H Youth Benefits

4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of youth throughout the United States.  With a general understanding of the 4-H program, volunteers and members can improve their knowledge to make the best better. For an overview of the history and foundation of 4-H,

• History
• Transforming Youth (ppt)
  
• "Does participation in a 4-H Club make a difference in a young person's life? YES!" (PDF)

Essential Elements

Paid and volunteers staff support young people engaged in 4-H programs and activities across the country and around the world.  Have you ever wondered why so much effort is put onto planning programs and activities for young people?  Do you know why 4-H is important for young people?  Do you struggle to explain what 4-H is to your friends, family and neighbors?  If you answer yes to any of these questions, these resources will help:

• Essential Elements of 4-H! 
• 4-H Essential Element Program Planning Tool

Learning Life Skills

Young people involved in the 4-H program learn important skills that they will be able to use in their communities, in future jobs, or when they continue their education.  You can learn more about the life skills youth are learning in the 4-H program by reviewing these resources:

• New Hampshire life Skills Webpage
• Targeting Life Skills Model
• Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Series

Related Organizations

There are organizations similar to the 4-H Youth Development programthat provide great resources to keep youth active in community service and to help them develop into young adults.

• Corporation for National and Community Service 
• American Distance Education Consortium

Youth Development

In order to properly help youth as they become young adults, it is necessary to understand the various ages and stages of their development.  Here are a few activities that have been developed for youth of different ages and stages.  By learning how to work with young people, you can optimize their full potential.  To learn more, check out the following:

• Michigan 4-H Ages and Stages
• Ohio 4-H Fact Sheet
• Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Series

Youth in Governance

As young people grow, their involvement in society constantly increases.  Through taking part in community, state and national governmental decisions and activities, young adults learn how to become vital citizens. 

• Youth in Governance

Issues Facing Today's Youth

As youth grow older and technology changes there continues to be issues that can be potential set-backs for members. The Michigan State University Extension has addressed several issues and provides information on how to better educate young people.

• The Michigan State University Extension