Chester 4-H Program

4-H’ers across the nation are responding to challenges every day in their communities and their world. As the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of land-grant universities, 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, empowering six million young people throughout the United States. Cooperative Extension of 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities provide the leadership to engage young people in 4-H in all 3,007 counties of the United States. The impact of the Cooperative Extension partnership is profound, bringing together National Institute of Food and Agriculture of USDA, land grant universities and county government to resource learning opportunities for youth. Through America’s 110 land-grant universities and its Cooperative Extension System, 4-H reaches every corner of our nation—from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. With a network of more than 6 million youth, 611,800 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 25 million alumni, 4-H helps shape youth to move our country and the world forward in ways that no other youth organization can.

When most people think of 4-H, they think of 4-H clubs.   Although 4-H clubs are the most commonly known and a meaningful long-term experience, there are six other ways 4-H reaches youth.   Each “delivery mode” serves a different purpose but all are potentially useful for serving youth, ages 5-19, and meeting their diverse needs:

Organized 4-H Clubs

Members of an organized group of youth, led by an adult, with a planned program that is carried on throughout all or most of the year. 4-H clubs may meet in any location and typically have elected officers and a set of rules approved by the membership to govern the club. Standard 4-H clubs involve youth, ages 9-19, and focus on in-depth learning of one or more projects. 4-H Cloverbud clubs provide youth, ages 5-8, with an introduction to 4-H in a non-competitive environment. 4-H clubs might meet in the community, on military installations, in schools during school hours, as well as in school age child care settings after school.

4-H Special Interest/Short Term Programs

Groups of youth meeting for a specific learning experience that involves direct teaching by extension staff or trained volunteers, including teachers. The program is not part of the school curriculum and not restricted to members of 4-H clubs. Multiple-day meetings, such as conferences, are reported as short-term programs.  This delivery mode does not usually continue for as long as a 4-H club. Examples might be a three-week babysitting course or a weekend-long state 4-H teen conference if they are open to the public.

4-H Camping Programs

Youth taking part in an Extension-planned educational experience of group living in the out-of-doors. Overnight camping includes being away from home at least one night (resident, primitive, or travel camping) and is not restricted to members of organized 4-H clubs. Day camping consists of multiple-day programs, with youth returning home each evening.

4-H School Enrichment Programs

Groups of youth receiving a sequence of learning experiences in cooperation with school officials during school hours, to support the school curriculum. It involves direct teaching by Extension staff or trained volunteers, including teachers. An example might be a volunteer visiting a school to present a special program on science to youth during classroom hours and promoting 4-H while doing so.

Individual Study/Mentoring/Family Learning Programs

Planned learning which occurs independent of a formal group setting such as a club, as an individual, paired, or family learning effort. Self-directed, usually with limited adult involvement except for parents (or mentor). Examples include self-study, home study courses, mentoring or shadowing with an “expert,” and whole families learning together.

4-H School-Aged Child Care Education Programs

Educational programs offered to youth outside of school hours, usually in a school or other community center and incorporating 4-H curricula. The primary purpose is to provide care for youth while parents are working or unavailable.

4-H Instructional TV/Video Programs

Youth offered learning experiences through Extension via broadcast or closed circuit television, including satellite transmission, web-based learning, pod-casting or videotape replays of such series.

Become a South Carolina 4-H Volunteer today and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community!