About Youth Development
From the neighborhoods in the metropolis of Chicago to the farms near Metropolis, Illinois, thousands of Illinois youth benefit from 4-H programs each year.
The University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development program provides research-based activities and programs to more than 280,000 youth with the help of 26,000 youth and adult volunteer leaders. 4-H is the largest out-of-school educational program for youth in the United States. 4-H assists youth in acquiring knowledge, forming attitudes, and developing life skills that will enable them to become caring, competent, and contributing members of society. 4-H helps youth achieve their unique potential and gain confidence that will guide them as adults.
Illinois 4-H programs are offered to all youth ages 5-18, regardless of gender, ethnicity, social or economic status, religious beliefs, or physical or mental abilities. 4-H programs reach across section of both urban and rural youth throughout all of the 102 Illinois counties - from Rockford to Cairo, and from Chicago to East St.Louis.
Why Youth Development Matters
The results are in. Published research demonstrates that experiences like 4-H provide a significant impact in positively shaping youth so they are more likely to become self-sufficient and contributing citizens in our society. Leading child and adolescent development researchers have recently documented how experiences like 4-H do make a significant positive impact on shaping youth. Researchers have identified eight components to establishing a culture that they refer to as "Positive Youth Development" (PYD). The 4-H program is committed to making each component evident in our 4-H culture and experiences:
- A positive relationship with an adult who cares about the young person.
- A warm, friendly environment where youth feel welcomed as part of the group.
- An environment where young people are safe from physical or psychological harm.
- Appropriate rules and limits that are consistently enforced.
- Opportunities to build and master skills in areas of the young person's choosing.
- Opportunities for youth to be heard, make important decisions, and participate fully.
- Opportunities for young people to serve others and their community.
- Opportunities for youth to see themselves as active participants in their future.
Research confirms that youth who are exposed to cultures with these critical components tend to do well in school, establish healthy outside interests, and develop basic life skills. They connect with positive adults and peers. They take responsibility and avoid risky behaviors. And eventually — as adults — they tend to become economically self-sufficient, develop healthy family and social relationships, and contribute positively to their communities.
More than 25,000 Illinois youth enroll in a year-long 4-H club each year. Each of these club members have 168 different 4-H projects from which to choose. Here is a sampling of some of the 4-H project areas and curriculum book titles:
- Aerospace: Lift Off
- Bicycle Adventures
- Child Development: Growing on My Own
- Citizenship: My Neighborhood
- Computer Mysteries
- Consumer Education: Financial Champions
- Dairy: Moooving Ahead
- Electricity: Wired for Power
- Embryology: Hatching Classroom Projects
- Entomology: Creepy Crawlies
- Exploring The World of Plants & Soils
- Family Relations: Building Family Strengths
- Food & Nutrition: Sports Nutrition
- Health: Fun With Friends
- Horse: Stable Relationships
- Horticulture: Budding Gardeners
- Intercultural: Passport To The World
- Interior Design: Design Decisions
- Journalism
- Leadership Skills You Never Outgrow
- Natural Resources: Step into Nature
- Operation Safe Kids
- Pet Pals
- Sewing & Textiles: Refine Design
- Small Engines: Tune It Up
- Veterinary Science: Animal Disease
- Woodworking: Making The Cut
