Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | [Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County]

4-H Youth Development

4-H is a place where young people have many opportunities to build confidence, learn responsibility, and develop skills that will last them a lifetime. It’s a place where youth make friends and share interests, ranging from building robots to raising rabbits, from designing web pages to landscape design. It’s a place where youth work together to make a positive difference in their community, and adult volunteers make a powerful difference in the lives of young people. Get involved in the 4-H community and make a lasting difference!

Announcements...

  • 4-H Yearbook Ad Sales Campaign
    The annual 4-H Yearbook Ad Sales Campaign started on March 1st. Ads, payments, and contest entries are due May 15th.



    Sales Packet

    Yearbook Contest Flyer

MISSION . . .
4-H Youth Development uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to become competent, caring, and contributing citizens of the world.

This is accomplished through a variety of hands-on learning activities and by using the knowledge and resources of the land-grant university system, along with the involvement of caring adults.

LEARNING TOGETHER . . .
The 4-H Youth Development Program is open to all young people in kindergarten through one year out of high school (Grades K-13). 4-H professionals train adult and teen volunteers who are responsible for teaching, mentoring, and guiding 4-H youth.

BUILDING IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS . . .
With a youth to adult volunteer ratio of 10:1, young people have the opportunity to develop a strong, positive relationship with a caring adult. Research suggests that this may be one of the most important factors for positive youth development.

4-H provides positive youth development through the Essential Elements of Youth Development connected to the 4-H pledge:

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking…
          Opportunities for INDEPENDENCE

  • Through 4-H leadership opportunities, youth mature in self-discipline and responsibility, learn to better understand themselves, and become independent thinkers.
  • Youth need to know they can influence people and events through decision-making and action.

I pledge my HEART to greater loyalty…
         Opportunities for BELONGING

  • Current research emphasizes the importance for youth to have opportunities for long-term, consistent relationships with peers and adults other than parents.
  • Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the group. 4-H gives opportunities to feel physically and emotionally safe while actively participating in a group.

I pledge my HANDS to larger service…
          Opportunities for GENEROSITY

  • By participating in community service and citizenship activities, youth connect to communities and learn to give back.
  • Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose.

I pledge my HEALTH to better living…
          Opportunities for MASTERY

  • By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive life and career choices.
  • Youth need to know they can influence people and events through decision-making and action.

. . .For my club, my community, my county, and my world.

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION OF 4-H: THREE MISSION AREAS. . .

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Last Modified: Thursday, March 14, 2013 , webmaster@rutgers-atlantic.org. All rights reserved.
Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.