Description
Core Values
The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program provides a wide variety of enrichment activities with the ultimate goal of giving youth the skills they need to thrive and succeed throughout their lives. The focus of all 4-H programs is positive youth development through activities in science literacy, healthy living, and citizenship. All 4-H programs are accessible and open to all youth.
Framework
High quality 4-H activities engage youth in subject area topics (content) in an environment (context) where youth feel safe and free to share, learn, and grow. Focusing on both content and context is a critical piece in helping youth thrive. Research shows that when youth are engaged and self-direct their own learning, the learning is optimized. Adult volunteers and teen educators are essential to this learning - facilitating the learning process using hands-on, experiential methods, where youth are free to explore.
Content - Subject Matter
The content of 4-H programs focus on science, engineering and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. These subject areas clearly describe program priorities and provide a framework to organize and focus program development, management, and implementation strategies.
Context - Atmosphere of Positive Youth Development
Positive youth development experiences help youth to envision and work towards their full potential.
Youth-adult partnerships engage both members and volunteers in equal learning experiences
Learning Environment - Nonformal Education & Learner Centered
The 4-H program is based on a proven experiential learning model that creates an educational climate through planned learning by exploring, doing, and receiving feedback.
