Project Information

Life Skills In 4-H Programs

Helping youth to develop important life skills is a major goal of 4-H youth development programs. A skill is a learned ability to do something well. Life skills are skills that help an individual to be successful in living a productive and satisfying life.

The goal of 4-H youth programming is to provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for youth to experience life skills, to practice them and to be able to use them throughout their lifetime. Through the experiential learning process used in 4-H, youth internalize the knowledge and gain the ability to apply the skills appropriately.

The life skills emphasized in North Dakota 4-H Programs include: making decisions, solving problems, relating to others, planning and organizing, learning to learn, communicating with others, leading self and others, relating to change and applying science and technology.

Experiential Learning In 4-H Programs

The 4-H program has a long history of involving youth in “learning by doing” activities. Youth learn from active participation as compared to more formal presentations. They participate in projects where they are asked to accomplish a task, i.e., make something, raise and/or train an animal etc. This is what distinguishes 4-H from schools and other formal educational settings.

The learn-by-doing activity serves as the base for the Experiential Learning Process, which adds processing steps to help the youth deepen the learning. Much of the 4-H project literature is designed around the experiential learning model. The experiential learning process is divided in five major steps.

• DO: Youth does the activity.
• SHARE: The youth shares what happened, the results of the experience and their feelings about it.
• PROCESS: They decide what is important about what they did and learned from the experience. They analyze the experience and reflect back upon it to determine what was most important. Discuss how questions are created by the activity.
• GENERALIZE: The young person personalizes the experience, determines why it is important and applies it to real life.

Understanding Projects

4-H Membership Expectations

The expectations for 4-H membership are a balance between 4-H project work, involvement in the 4-H club, participation in 4-H activities and events and working toward improving one’s personal growth. This section addresses the project work component of a youth’s 4-H experience.

Project Work Through 4-H

Each project manual listed in the following section has a guide for youth conducting activities through an organized project group or at home under the guidance of a parent or other helper. In it you will find a wealth of information and activities needed to plan and conduct a project.

Q.   What is a project?
A.   A 4-H project is made up of three types of activities:

                •   Hands-on Activities: making, producing, selling, practicing,
                    observing, testing, interviewing, etc.

                •   Organized Activities: demonstrations, speeches, workshops,
                     camps, county judging, project activities, exhibits, etc.

                •   Leadership/Citizenship Activities: conducting, planning,
                     teaching, assisting, informing, organizing, etc.

Q.  Does a 4-H member have to take a project?
A.  Yes. However, there are two ways to take a project - either as an
       individual project or as a group project.

Q.  Where does a 4-H member start when choosing a project?
A.  If you need or wish to take an individual project, use the following
      information to help you decide.

Q.  Where does a 4-H member begin when planning a 4-H project?
A.  Start by reading the section of the project manual called the project
      planning guide. Make a simple project plan.

Q.  Does a member have to do everything the Youth Project Activity
      Guide suggests?
A.  Of course not. That decision is up to the youth, parents and
      helper/leader. Youth may plan to do a little or a lot based upon their
      interests and abilities. Project plans can also change as the youth’s
      interests and needs change.

Q. How much time can be spent on a project?
A.  It can be a matter of days, weeks or even months depending on the size
      and scope of the youth’s plan. Projects can be repeated to accomplish
      additional project goals. Many project guides are designed to be used
      for more than one year.>

Q.  Does the member have to begin with the first level offered?
A.  The youth needs to review the beginning information, but may enroll in
      the project at the level they feel comfortable with and challenged in.

Q.  What is a leader or a helper activity guide?
A.  A publication that contains information to help the adult or teen leaders
      or helpers work with youth in a project area. It may include information
      on working with activities, understanding youth, answer keys,
      suggestions for modifying activities, a list of resources, or other useful
      material.

Project Selection

With more than 100 projects to choose from, you can find a project that interests you. Here are some things to consider.

1. What are your interests, in and out of school?
2. What books and magazines do you like best?
3. What would you like to do for a career?
4. What would you like to learn about?

Some projects require more time and money than others. Check with your family and 4-H volunteer to see if a project fits your time and pocketbook.

“Do Your Own Thing”  is a project for older youth to explore a topic that is not presently available as a statewide project. The “Do Your Own Thing” publication allows you to outline the areas of interest and plan the activities you wish to conduct over the course of your project. A project plan needs to be completed for each project you plan to take. Once you choose a project, talk to your 4-H volunteer to enroll.

Project Expectations for a 4-H Club Member

Certain things are expected from each 4-H member:

• Have the volunteer leader file a “4-H Member Enrollment Form”(PB434) or Re-enrollment Form from the Blue Ribbon program with the local NDSU Extension Service office.

• Identify goals for your work.
• Develop a written Plan of Action including “Planning For My Project Adventure” (PA093),”ND 4-H Project Plan” (PA095) or complete the Project Planning Guide at the beginning of many project books or project activity guides.
• Find a project helper, when needed.
• Assume full responsibility for your projects, including management and work, where practical. Shared responsibility needs to be described as part of the project plans and report.
• Arrange with parents or others for the financing of the project.
• Include a record of each project and related activities in the “4-H Plan of Action” (PA096) or the Achievement Guide in the front of many project activity guides.
• Summarize accomplishments from each year using the “North Dakota 4-H Participation Summary” (PA098).

NOTE – Project literature is available through the local NDSU Extension Service county office. Additional information may be found in NDSU Extension Service circulars, Experiment Station bulletins and USDA publications also available through the extension office. County extension staff are in charge of the 4-H program in each county. They are the first people to contact when questions arise regarding the 4-H Youth Development program.

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