T HAT ’ S A 4-H P ROJECT ?!? Laura A. Huebinger Extension Program Specialist 4-H & Youth Development

S O YOU TELL ME ….. Give me an example of a 4-H project. What do you think a 4-H project is? Write down your own definition. Get with a partner. Share your definitions and rewrite one definition together. What really is a 4-H project?

4 C OMPONENTS About 5-6 (or more) sequential learning experiences of minutes in length Approximately 2 hours or more Community Service Leadership Exhibition of Project Work

L EARNING E XPERIENCES - E XAMPLES 4-H Project Meetings Educational Tours Workshops Clinics Contests Demonstrations Interviews of Experts Educational Presentations Exhibits Expos Speeches Videos/DVD Television shows Bowls Self-study: Magazines, internet research National 4-H Curriculum

C OMMUNITY S ERVICE - E XAMPLES Definition: helping others and your community Community Service Guide Service Project Ideas 2009 one day 4-H Community Service Project List

C OMMUNITY S ERVICE & V OLUNTEER L EADERSHIP What’s the difference?? Community Service Helping others outside of the 4-H program Volunteer Leadership Benefits the 4-H program

L EADERSHIP - E XAMPLES Teaching/Guiding others Conducting a workshop Organize a group activity Share information with others Demonstration/speech Assist an adult Plan a tour Junior/Teen Leader Lead an activity Definition: help other people achieve goals through guidance; teaching or leading others.

E XHIBIT P ROJECT W ORK Sharing what you have learned with someone else! Examples Contest Livestock show Educational presentation Speech Fair Exhibit Project meeting

T IMELINE FOR A PROJECT Projects can take place any time of the year Each project has its own timeline Some project timelines are designated by contests or exhibitions. Some include: Food & Nutrition Clothing & Textiles Livestock projects Horse

W HO LEADS A 4-H PROJECT ? Adult Project Leader 4-H project leaders provide structured learning experiences, personal guidance, and counseling for 4-H members enrolled in projects Generally ages 19 and up Must be screened through the 4-H Youth Protection Standards Program

W HO LEADS A 4-H PROJECT ? Youth Leadership Roles Teen Leader A teen leader is a youth of age 13 to 18 who has at least 1 year of project experience and who takes total responsibility for a project, activity, or event. Junior Leader A junior leader is a 4-H member 10 to 12 years old who has been a 4-H member for at least 1 year and who assists adult 4-H volunteers in any aspect of the 4-H program.

P ROJECT R ESOURCES Curriculum Books Magazines Experts Professionals Hobbyists Associations/Organizations Internet

4-H E XTRACURRICULAR P RIVILEGES County Extension Agents are Adjunct Faculty with School Districts Texas Education Code Extracurricular Activities & 4-H Eligibility School Absences

W HAT ARE YOUTH SUPPOSE TO BE LEARNING WITH A 4-H PROJECT ? You tell me!

T ARGETING L IFE S KILLS M ODEL Iowa State University Extension, 4-H Youth Development

T ARGETING L IFE S KILLS M ODEL HEADHEARTHANDSHEALTH ManagingThinkingRelatingCaringGivingWorkingLivingBeing ResiliencyService Learning Accepting Differences Nurturing Relationships Community Service/ Volunteering Marketable Skills Healthy Lifestyle Choices Self-esteem Keeping Records Critical Thinking Conflict Resolution SharingLeadershipTeamworkStress Management Self- responsibility Wise Use of Resources Problem Solving Social SkillsEmpathyResponsible Citizenship Self- motivation Disease Prevention Character Planning/ Organizing Decision Making CooperationConcern for Others Contribution to Group Effort Personal Safety Managing Feelings Goal SettingLearning to Learn Communication Self- discipline

R ECOGNIZING 4-H M EMBERS FOR T HEIR A CCOMPLISHMENTS National 4-H Recognition Model

N ATIONAL 4-H R ECOGNITION M ODEL Participation Membership card, Ribbons, Year Pins Progress Toward Self-Set Goals Certificate of completion Achievement of Standards of Excellence Project Pins, Blue/Red/White Ribbons Peer Competition Awards for exhibits/contests not appropriate for youth under age 8 Cooperation Club Awards for teamwork, Club Celebration/Party

A G OOD P ROJECT E XPERIENCE … I T D OESN ’ T J UST H APPEN It takes planning, practice, processing, evaluation Planning allows members to participate Processing allows members to apply skills to other projects and programs Evaluation gives members a chance to see: What have I learned? What would I do differently next time? Gives families a sense of security & direction

Q UESTIONS ? Your County Extension Agent is here to help you! Visit with other project leaders to gain ideas, resources, and more! Good luck with your project groups!

L AURA A. H UEBINGER E XTENSION P ROGRAM S PECIALIST 4-H & Y OUTH D EVELOPMENT C ENTRAL D ISTRICT 8 Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating