By Duncan Allison

Lindsey will be entering college this term with so much more confidence after moving through several 4-H programs and becoming an assistant.” “Keith wants to become an engineer or architect but has gained so much respect for God’s creatures as a participant in the poultry group.” “Yvonne was nervous in a group setting but became not only happy as a member of her 4-H group but participated as a really valuable member.”

These are comments from just three of the over 4,200 youth in Chester County and 6 million young people across the country who participate in and benefit from 4-H programs. They are out of school programs available in every state and county and are thoroughly research-based. The wide range of hands on learning programs provides critical life skills.

4-H has become the nation’s largest youth development organization since it began more than 100 years ago. The 4-H idea is simple: help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities. Ages 8-18 are targeted.

Since 4-H began more than 100 years ago, it has become the nation’s largest youth development organization. The 4-H idea is simple: help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities’ and develop ideas for a more innovative economy.

4-H stands for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health so they focus on Head – Managing and Thinking, Heart – Relating and Caring, Hands – Giving and Working and Health – Being and Living.

There is no teaching for the test. Youth learn to appreciate the value and joy of knowledge, the satisfaction of working together and becoming confident and willing to make decisions. They are so much better prepared to cope with the next stage of their lives whether it is at college or directly in the workforce.

Ten year research by Tufts University has shown that 4-H participants are four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (Grades 7-12), two times more likely to be civically active (Grades 8-12), make healthier choices (Grade 7) and 4-H girls are two (Grade 10) and three (Grade 12) times more likely and three times more likely to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.

Toni Stuetz is the Chester County Educator and Coordinator of programs focusing on the whole program. She points to the some of the many benefits that youth gain from the programs both from the learning and the personal development and growth that result.

For example they learn about the responsibility and work involved in raising livestock and caring for horses. These hands-on programs are not limited to livestock and extend to robotics and food safety.

The other 4-H staff concentrates on community outreach projects that serve Chester County residents of all ages in under-served, impoverished and at-risk neighborhoods. Chester County’s bimodal population requires extra attention to those living in less fortunate circumstances.

The 4-H youth development programs build on their school experience with a wide range of activities to expand their life skills and enhance their job opportunities.

4-H is not just another government program; it is very much a community enterprise. Basic funding is from Penn State Extension Service with a significant contribution from the County.

However a wide range of foundations, individuals and organizations contribute generously and provide in-kind support to enable the wide range of programs to be carried out.

4-H staff also collaborates with local schools, community groups and nonprofit organizations such as libraries, Chester County Health Dept., Kennett After-The-Bell Program and both the Boy and Girl Scouts organizations. We all live in communities so it makes absolute sense to work together wherever possible so as to reach as many young people as possible.

Over 200 volunteers also play an important role and ensure a high ratio of adults to youth so that each individual 4-H participant feels safe and receives encouragement and support.

No surprise that the 4-H model has been copied in over 50 countries around the world.

We cannot rely on our schools alone to provide the total education to enable our children to manage in our increasingly challenging and complex world. Gaining knowledge and confidence of their own abilities, working collaboratively and compassionately with others from all sorts of backgrounds, and respecting God’s creatures are just some of the life skills 4-H involvement will give.

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Top image courtesy of The Daily Local News.