Welcome to our programs
4-H youth development programs serve youth ages 5-19 by creating a safe space to build relationships and explore!
Join 4-H through:
- 4-H Clubs, facilitated by adult volunteers
- AfterSchool Programs, coordinated with Washoe County School District and other community collaborators.
- 4-H Camp, a week-long overnight camp experience at Lake Tahoe.
- 4-H Day Camps, hour or day long events that take place during spring break, summer, and winter break.
Not sure where you belong yet? All youth are welcome!
You can always come by a 4-H event to see the programs in action, meet volunteer leaders, and explore new topics. Or check out the free online curriculum offered by the National 4-H platform Clover.
4-H youth development programs are led by trained Extension staff and volunteers who teach youth science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) using research-based curriculum. Each year in Nevada nearly 50,000 young people participate in 4-H generated activities; over 15,000 of them are in Washoe County. They learn confidence, leadership, record keeping and other transferable life skills. They do better in school as well.
Background
4-H strengthens and promotes healthy youth development to give young people the capacity to act as responsible citizens and agents of community change.
By understanding the complex experiences that youth face and promoting high-quality youth leadership development, 4-H helps youth meet the challenges of adolescence and transition to adulthood. Through youth-adult partnerships, 4-H connects youth and adults to their communities, preparing them for work and life. 4-H engages both youth and adults in intentional, experiential and inquiry-based learning. The program also provides emerging research and policy to highlight positive youth development. 4-H partners with the Land-Grant University System to support America’s youth.
Guiding principles
The four guiding principles of 4-H youth development programs are:
- Positive youth development
- Partnerships
- Learning
- Youth potential
Experiences
4-H’ers are often involved in long-term learning experiences with peers and adult volunteers. Active, hands-on learning is a staple of the program. Youth choose topics that interest them, ranging from the broad areas of science, healthy living and citizenship/civic engagement. Community service, leadership and public speaking are typical opportunities.
4-H is about having fun, learning, exploring and discovering. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities.
The essential elements of the 4-H program include:
- Creating an environment where youth feel a sense of belonging
- Have an opportunity to master skills
- Practice independence
- Develop a spirit of generosity
4-H AfterSchool
The Washoe County 4-H AfterSchool Club Program works with organizations and schools in Washoe County to offer 4-H opportunities in an out-of-school setting. Youth learn transferable life skills through inquiry-based learning using research-based curriculum. In 2020, 4-H Professionals worked with over 20 schools in the Washoe County School District through the 21st Century Community Learning Center Team Up Program as well as School Break STEM/STEAM day camps with public and private nonprofit organizations. Youth involved in these programs have been introduced to robotics, rockets, embryology, animal science, cultures, energy science, healthy living/nutrition, civic engagement, leadership, and many other subject areas.
