The Florida 4-H Program

Marilyn N. Norman

University of Florida

Marilyn N. Norman

University of Florida

What is 4-H?

4-H is the voluntary, non-formal educational youth development program of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.

a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.

Florida 4-H creates supportive environments for diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential.

What is 4-H?

4-H has a unique service:– Youth Development Program of Land Grant

Universities & Colleges– Accessible to All Youth– Unparalleled Reach– Practical, Hands-On Science Focus– Practical Life Skills Focus

4-H Enrollment

Number of Youth Involved in the 2005-2006 year: 223,057– Organized Clubs: 23,788– Day Camps/Special Interest Clinics: 30,724– School Enrichment: 198,548– Residential Camps: 3,244– School Age Child Care: 10,294– Individual Study/Family 4-H: 1,203

4-H Projects Studied – (Content)

4-H’s Mission Mandates:

Healthy Lifestyles - 112,678

Science, Engineering and Technology - 136,711

Citizenship - 51,732

What Youth Need (Context)

Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity

Themes in 4-H

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTEssential Elements

EDUCATIONMission Areas

Science, Engineering & Technology

Healthy Living

Citizenship

CONTEXT

Afterschool

Clubs

Camps

Belonging

Mastery

Independence

Generosity

CONTENT

School Enrichment

High Content High Content High High Content High Content High ContextContext

Low Context High Context Low Low Context High Context Low ContentContent

Developed by Cathann A. Kress, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDADeveloped by Cathann A. Kress, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA

Themes in 4-H

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTEssential Elements

EDUCATIONMission Areas

Science, Engineering & Technology

Healthy Living

Citizenship

CONTEXT

Afterschool

Clubs

Camps

Life Life SkillsSkills

Belonging

Mastery

Independence

Generosity

CONTENT

School Enrichment

High Content High Content High High Content High Content High ContextContext

Low Context High Context Low Low Context High Context Low ContentContent

Developed by Cathann A. Kress, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDADeveloped by Cathann A. Kress, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA

What makes 4-H unique?

Youth Development principles alone are not sufficient;

Education alone is not sufficient; Youth activities alone are not sufficient; Listen to a youth talk about why they joined

Program Highlights

Legislature – National Program of Distinction

Program Highlights - Leg

– Simulation of the state legislature

– A youth/adult partnership and implemented as a youth-led learning event

– Participants function in decision making role and

– use creative problem-solving skills within the state legislative process

– Florida youth become active, responsible citizens for civic engagement

Program Highlights

Healthy Lifestyles Initiative– The Youth Empowered Ambassadors for Health

(YEAH!) Campaign, provides information and supports the role that 4-H youth can have in becoming advocates for a healthy lifestyle.

Program Highlights

Healthy Lifestyle Workshops

Program Highlights

Florida 4-H Congress– Congress is a time for youth to come together and

celebrate the past 4-H year and prepare for the new year!

Competitive Events Workshops Share the Fun Fashion Show Awards Banquet

Program Highlights-

American Camp Association Accreditation– 4-H Camps begin accreditation

process in 2007! Camp Cherry Lake – 2007 Camp Ocala – 2008 Camp Cloverleaf – 2009 Camp Timpoochee - 2010

Program Highlights

Camps provide:– Positive developmental

environments – Supportive relationships – Positive experiences foundational to

practicing successful life skills. – Enhanced value by attending

multiple summers or for sessions – Counselors-In-Training opportunities

in leadership and decision-making

Regional Specialized Agents

Regional Specialized 4-H Agents– Northwest – Kelley Hiemstra– Northeast - William Heltemes– Central – Judy Butterfield

Responsibilities – District Support of 4-H faculty– State Program Leadership – State Curriculum Leadership

4-H Improvements

Website– www.florida4h.org– Easier navigation– More interaction – photo

galleries, downloadable marketing materials, etc.

– Coming soon: 4-H stories, blogs, etc.

Improvements – Focus Groups

Goal 3 – Life Skills– Organizational Development– Volunteer Development

Improvements – Focus Groups

– Need your involvement on several of these committees

– Extension Symposium will offer an opportunity for you to review the options

– Prepare youth for the future

Summary

Large part of the IFAS program family Important work of Extension Invite your involvement