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| 4-H Youth volunteer
Kelli Winkler demonstrates sign language for an eager young visitor at the
Wisconsin State Fair. |
Supporting and
Empowering Young People
Teamwork Supports Youth
University of Wisconsin-Extension
programs in 4-H Youth Development give young people a chance to learn new skills,
gain self-confidence and contribute to their communities. 4-H youth development
educators create real world experiences that teach leadership and citizenship
skills. These experiences come to Wisconsin youth through more than 25,000 volunteer
leaders in neighborhood clubs, schools and other community organizations.
An Eye to Our Future
4-H Youth Development programs
emphasize:
- Getting youth involved
in and excited about civic activity.
- Helping local groups
assess and improve their youth development programs and activities.
- Improving youths’
skills in interpersonal relations – communications, negotiations, group
decision-making and dealing with conflict.
Involved Youth, Better Communities
Everyone benefits when
youth get involved in 4-H youth development.
- Youth learn and practice
democratic leadership. More than 40,000 youth in 4-H conduct their affairs
using democratic processes, with youth providing the leadership. They gain
experience in conducting meetings, handling finances, and facilitating group
decision-making.
- Youth get to try out
new experiences, ideas and activities that expose them to potential careers
and lifelong interests.
- Every year, 4-H youth
donate thousands of hours of service. They provide support to persons who
are elderly, promote community improvement, help people who are disadvantaged,
and work to improve the environment.
- Thousands of 4-H youth
learn and practice ethical animal care for their pets and production animals.
4-H youth care for more than 40,000 animals each year.
- Communities benefit
through access to university expertise and research in youth development.
What We Gain
When kids get into 4-H
programs they gain a stronger sense of who they are and where they fit in our
communities. They acquire a commitment to democracy and a passion for public
work. They learn the democratic arts of negotiating differences and finding
agreement. Adults who get involved learn to respect and value the contributions
of youth. We all gain stronger, better connected communities.
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 What
People Say About Us
“Doing community
service projects through 4-H teaches youth leadership skills and social
kindness.”
Door County 4-H
Leader
“4-H helps youth become more responsible citizens. It helps develop
their leadership skills and organizational abilities.”
Fond du Lac County
4-H Leader
“Young people who participate in 4-H Clubs do better in school, are
more motivated to help others and achieve more than other youth who do
not participate.”
Cornell University
study on the value of 4-H
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About Cooperative Extension in
Wisconsin
Cooperative Extension is
part of the University of Wisconsin System and a division of University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Cooperative Extension helps people throughout the state acquire knowledge and
skills to …
- Solve problems in their
businesses.
- Improve their local
governments and neighborhoods.
- Enhance the quality
of their families’ lives.
- Use natural resources
responsibly.
- Help their children
grow and learn.
Extension people work in
partnership with people in county, state, federal and tribal governments; community
organizations; volunteers; business; and industry. With faculty in every county
and on UW-campuses, Cooperative Extension gives Wisconsin citizens quick and
convenient access to University research and knowledge.
4-H Youth Development is
one of the Cooperative Extension programs. Others include Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Family Living, and Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development.
Go
to the 4-H Youth Development Homepage
More about Cooperative
Extension
