4-H Youth Development

4-H is the comprehensive youth development program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Youth between the ages of 5 and 18 engage in hands-on learning experiences under the guidance of adult or teen 4-H volunteers trained by 4-H agents. 4-H programs use experiential learning opportunities to teach the latest research-based subject matter knowledge and to foster skill development in effective citizenship, leadership, and other life skills. 

Areas of Focus

The 10 areas of 4-H curriculum focus are: 

• Animal Sciences
• Communications and Expressive Arts
• Environmental Education and Natural Resources
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Health, Nutrition and Wellness
• Jobs, Careers and Economics
• Leadership and Personal Development
• Plant and Soil Sciences; Citizenship
• Science and Technology

Educational Experiences

Youth also participate in educational experiences at six 4-H educational centers. 4-H has both a school-based and a community-based delivery model, so maximum access to Virginia’s youth is provided. The specific learning experiences a 4-H member participates in are shaped locally and supported at the state and national levels.

4-H members learn how to: 

• Make decisions
• Manage resources
• Utilize effective communication skills
• Work with others

 4-H serves as an effective prevention educational program. Involvement in 4-H reduces the potential for dysfunctional involvement in the community by youth. 

Mission

The mission of 4-H is to develop youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential-becoming effective, contributing citizens through participation in research-based, informal, hands-on educational experiences.