LUNENBURG 4-H

ABOUT 4-H

 

Massachusetts 4-H is a youth development program open to all young people ages 5 through 18 throughout the Commonwealth. It is part of a nationwide system connected to each land-grant institution of higher education and as such, has access to a wealth of resources and curriculum. In Massachusetts, 4-H is based at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has offices in seven regions of the state.Based on the Eight Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development, 4-H helps young people learn life skills under the guidance of trained, screened volunteers in non-formal educational settings such as clubs, camps and afterschool programs. These Essential Elements can also be viewed as the Five “C’s” – Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character and Caring. When young people work on these characteristics they demonstrate a Sixth “C”: Contribution to self, family, community and the institutions of a civil society.The Eight Essential Elements are:A positive relationship with a caring adult.A safe environment.An inclusive environment.Engagement in learning.Opportunity for mastery.Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future.Opportunity for self-determination.Opportunity to value and practice service for others.

 

4-H MISSION

 

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

 

4-H VISION

 

A world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.

 

The Positive Development of Youth: Comprehensive Findings from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is the first-ever research project of its kind. The decade-long study, completed by a team of researchers at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, Medford, MA, is influencing research and practice around the world.

The report shows that 4-H youth excel beyond their peers. 4-H'ers are about:

• Four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (Grades 7-12);

• Two times more likely to be civically active (Grades 8-12);

• Two times more likely to make healthier choices (Grade 7);

• Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology programsduring out-of-school time (Grades 10 – 12); and

• 4-H girls are two times  more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.