4-H is a youth development organization that offers a variety of projects that engage young minds in hands-on learning experiences. The core philosophy of 4-H projects focuses on experiential learning, empowering participants to acquire essential life skills while making meaningful community contributions. There are many project areas that 4-H’ers can participate in. 4-H projects can be separated into 5 categories:
- Animal Projects
- Communication and Expressive Arts
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Healthy Living and Citizenship
- Plant and Environmental Sciences
Each category presents an opportunity for 4-H members to dive into their passions, cultivate new skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Project Selection:
Selecting the best project can be difficult, especially if this is your first or second year in 4-H. If you need help selecting projects, you can use this quiz to help you find the project that is best for you: Project Exploration Quiz | Marion (osu.edu)
4-H provides various resources to support participants throughout their project journeys. For instance, the Florida 4-H clearinghouse offers approved project books, and the 4-H mall is a great place to check out books, but the project books must be approved by your 4-H Agent. These resources help young learners document their progress, reflections, and achievements, fostering a sense of accomplishment and growth.
4-H Mall: Shop 4-H – Every purchase supports local 4-H kids.
Florida 4-H Clearinghouse: Florida_4-H_Curriculum-Clearing-House.pdf (ufl.edu)
For those specifically interested in Lake County 4-H, project books are available through links like Google Drive. These records offer insights into previous 4-H members’ projects, providing inspiration and ideas for new participants. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WRtVulloHHu-CU8q_4E_J4t5MTxVfMid/view?usp=drive_link
More Information
In case of any questions, please contact me via email at hendersond@ufl.edu so I can help you access the necessary information and guidance to embark on your 4-H journey.
1
