4-H promotes citizenship in youth nationwide

    Did you know that belonging to a 4-H club is more than just going to a meeting and completing a 4-H project each year? 4-H members have the amazing opportunity of participating in so much more! Citizenship is an area that is emphasized in 4-H programming. Whether members participate in community service activities on a local level or a national service learning project, 4-H’ers will leave the program with a greater understanding of what it means to be part of a larger group.
    According to the National 4-H Headquarters, 4-H citizenship is defined as “the knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation that give youth the capacity to move beyond one’s individual self-interest and to be committed to the well-being of some larger group.” Key focus areas for a 4-H citizenship program are civic engagement, service, civic education and personal development. Within each of these four focus areas are various key points in which a 4-H citizenship program should touch on as the program develops.
    As a result of effective 4-H youth citizenship programs, youth will:
    —Connect: Learn to be partners in a larger community, understand their role in bringing about change and working together toward the common good.
    —Learn: Acquire knowledge from others, self and environment.
    —Engage: Participate in political education, social justice, advocacy, negotiation, public problem solving and community service.
    —Lead: Use leadership skills for the greater good.
    —Impact: Make a difference in the community, country and world.
 

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