4-H and the Center for Youth Development

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The District’s 4-H organization establishes school and community based 4-H clubs in the District of Columbia.  4-H is a flagship youth development program, maintained nationally by the US Department of Agriculture.  Youth are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that emphasize the "learning by doing" experiential learning approach. Through various programs, youth gain knowledge in a variety of areas and develop important life skills. Such programs are implemented to help young people discover and develop leadership abilities, to cultivate civic stewardship, to foster confidence and to build successful lives. The Center for Youth Development offers programs geared toward residents raising young children. 

4-H and the Center for Youth Development offer the following, to help improve District residents’ quality of life:

• 4-H Youth Development –Cooperative Extension Service’s non-formal educational program for young people.  The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, as well as federal, state and local governments and the US Department of Agriculture.  The goal of the program is to assist young people in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, responsible, productive citizens, and contributing members of society.  Volunteers are essential to the successful delivery of 4-H programs.  4-H serves youth in a variety of methods.  The District’s 4-H is an educational organization for boys and girls who are at least five years of age and have not passed their 19th birthday by January 1st.  It is open to all District youth regardless of race, color, gender, disability, religion or national origin.
  
  
• LifeSmarts Consumer Education for Teenagers - The ultimate consumer challenge is an educational opportunity that develops the consumer and marketplace knowledge skills of teenagers in a fun way and rewards them for knowledge.  The program complements the curriculum already in place in high schools and can be used as an activity for classes, groups, clubs, and community organizations.  Lifesmarts, run as a game-show style competition, is open to all teens from 9th to 12th grade, in the US.  Teams of four to five teens compete in district and state matches with the state winners going to the national competition to vie for the national Lifesmarts title.  A five week summer camp program helps participants prepare for competition.  Additionally, there are regularly scheduled team study sessions.
  
  
• Operation Military Kids –A project designed to provide support to children of deployed parents.  When National Guard, Army Reserve and other military parents living in civilian communities are mobilized, their children are suddenly faced with new challenges associated with their new lifestyle – the absence of their parent.  They become “military kids” but they still “look the same” to teachers, friends, and the rest of the community.  Their lives are turned upside down!  These “new” military kids need to connect with other youth in similar situations.  They seek friends and adults who can empathize and can help them cope with their new world.  Operation Military Kids is that vital link.  
  
  

How Can I Help?

The UDC 4-H Youth Development Program needs you! We are seeking foundation board members to direct and care for the business and resource development of the4-H program. Interested parties should contact Rebecca Bankhead at 202.274.7081, 202.274.7115 or reach her via e-mail at rbankhead@udc.edu.