University of Wisconsin - Extension

Madison - When the school day ends, many elementary age students spend another hour or so in afterschool programs before going home. In a growing number of Wisconsin communities, afterschool experiences include a 4-H club or a project that incorporates 4-H project materials.

Kathi Vos, 4-H state specialist at University of Wisconsin-Extension, says 4-H activities work well in afterschool settings.

"These projects meet high educational standards and give kids an opportunity for hands-on learning and for practicing life skills," she said. "At the same time, they are fun and engaging for the kids. It's fun with an educational purpose."

Wisconsin 4-H program specialists have adapted several of the most popular 4-H project activities in theater arts, aerospace, plants, visual arts, nature, clothing and electricity for use in an afterschool setting. Now the National 4-H Council has launched another set of resource materials, called "4-H in a Box," three booklets entitled "Starting 4-H Clubs in Afterschool Programs, Guiding Growth -- Training Staff for Working with Youth in Afterschool Programs and a sampler of 4-H afterschool activities. To order "4-H in a Box" go to http://www.4hafterschool.org .

The Wisconsin 4-H afterschool project kits contain everything an afterschool teacher or leader needs -- lesson plans, handouts and supply lists -- for each project. Each activity takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete and is low in cost and easy to teach. The projects are built on the 4-H "experiential learning" model.

For more information about 4-H in afterschool programs, please contact your county 4-H youth development agent at the University of Wisconsin-Extension office.