The AfterSchool Program also offers opportunities to students from families with limited resources that they may not otherwise receive.

“Those young people, through their experience with 4-H AfterSchool, are 4-H members and receive programming updates,” Chvilicek said. “They then get invited to the 4-H Camp and to participate in other local 4-H activities.”

Below are some of the specific efforts made in northern Nevada through these partnerships.

Teaming up with TEAM UP

For over a decade, Washoe County School District’s Together Everyone Achieves More Utilizing Programs (TEAM UP) has used 4-H curriculum to provide experiential-based learning activities in Title I schools in the Reno area. In 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 4-H staff taught the after-school programming in 27 schools.

“4-H has been the most valuable partner that we have providing services in terms of enrichment programming,” Denise Benson, TEAM UP coordinator, said. “Our students absolutely love it. They look forward to the programming that Extension offers.”

All of the 4-H AfterSchool Program curriculum is research-based and meets or exceeds the academic requirements mandated by 21st Century Community Learning Centers, who fund TEAM UP. Depending on student grade levels and educational need, schools can choose from 23 enrichment activities spanning six categories, including animal science, energy science, outdoor science, art, civic engagement and healthy living. 4-H staff then spend one hour a week teaching a lesson from the chosen activities.

4-H AfterSchool programming was put on hold due to the pandemic, but 4-H and TEAM UP are working hard to bring it back in a virtual format. Their goal is to be up and running online when the students return in January.

STEAMing into school breaks and community support

After school is not the only time students can engage with enrichment activities offered by the 4-H AfterSchool Program. 4-H staff also partner with schools to offer STEM in the classroom and STEAM day camps during summer and school breaks. In December 2019, two teenage 4-H members in Elko County led the 4-H STEM Challenge, Game Changers, for a class of 30 middle school students. In October 2020, the program conducted the 4-H STEM Challenge, Mars Base Camp, as a day camp with proper COVID-19 procedures in several locations throughout the state, including in four of Humboldt County’s rural schools and at the Humboldt County Library.

4-H also offered the STEM challenge both years at the Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra in Washoe County, which provides activities to help students move forward to compensate for delays in their education. In particular, the 2020 school year has been difficult due to distance learning. Many of the students served by the center were falling behind due to a lack of resources for learning at home.

“Kids aren’t catching up,” Pam Russell, executive director for the center, said. “When doing distance learning, the students are sitting in the house with no social interaction. In addition, many don’t have the support they need to keep up with their work.”

After the 4-H STEM Challenge, Chvilicek suggested offering 4-H AfterSchool activities with proper social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions at the center. Since staff at the center chose to keep the center open due to the at-risk families they serve, Russell jumped at the chance. They can only have eight students at a time, but Russell does not mind.

“Extension’s program adds to our ability to help families,” she said. “Kids are having fun learning and getting individual attention from the amazing 4-H team. In addition, not only are kids getting out, but moms are getting out to pick them up, and sometimes they talk to the center’s advocates as well. We really truly appreciate having this opportunity for our kids and our families, because it’s fantastic.”

These days of service were performed by 4-H AmeriCorps members who are part of University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program’s 4-H Grows Here Project. These 4-H AmeriCorps members, who are mostly college students, were recruited to help 4-H extend the reach of the program by facilitating and delivering 4-H workshops and helping to establish and grow 4-H clubs for youth ages 5-19, especially among underserved populations. 

“It meant so much to have a dedicated group to volunteer with us,” David McClenton, Vegas Roots manager and an agricultural engineer, said. “The work that was done was immeasurable! The connections invaluable.”

These volunteer projects not only provided an opportunity for members to give back, but helped identify opportunities for future 4-H youth education programs.

“By providing services to these organizations, we also discover new opportunities for future youth education programs that we do daily,” Rojas said. “Because of the proximity to Extension’s A.D. Guy Knowledge Center, we’re now considering working with Vegas Roots to have gardening and horticulture classes there for our 4-H youth.”

The 4-H Program is planning to hold three more days of service this spring in honor of: Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, Global Youth Service Day on April 24, and Join Hands Day on May 1. Organizations looking for volunteer support should email Rojas for consideration.

Additionally, as part of the 4-H Grows Here Project, the 4-H Program is still actively recruiting for an adult-parent leader position to commit to 300 hours of service through the end of July. Volunteers have the possibility of receiving a living allowance and are eligible for an educational award at the close of their service. For more information on the 4-H Grows Here Project, email Nora Luna, 4-H Youth Development Program coordinator.

I served as a 4-H All Star, I chaired state committees and took on events at the state level that I ran by myself. I also served as the National 4-H Youth and Action Healthy Living Ambassador for 2019. The second big take away from 4-H was the cooking projects. At 9, I started cooking and I really enjoyed it. There were several student and state fair competitions that I participated in, which led me to participate as a judge and run these competitions as well. I was also able to garner the skills and credibility to be on the Food Network. I used those skills and competed on Chopped Junior, which I won in 2015. I’ve also been able to combine all these skills to create an agriculture communication business where I reconnect consumers to where their food comes from and how it’s produced.

What is your fondest 4-H memory?

I went to the California 4-H State Leadership Conference, and, at first, I didn’t want to go. It turned out to be one of the best conferences I attended as a 4-H member, though. We were trusted with the freedom to choose which sessions and activities to attend. It was also great to see the diversity in all the 4-H programs, and I ended up meeting some participants in southern California that I was then able to attend the Presidential Inauguration with on the Washington Leadership Council.

What do you think are the most important reasons for youth to get involved in 4-H today?

I think it’s the leadership opportunities and, with that, the public speaking. A lot of student organizations don’t teach you how to speak and conduct yourself in front of other groups. The sooner you can learn that, the more successful you will be. You can apply these skills to school presentations or job interviews. I also think the life skills you learn are very important. Serving as my club treasurer, I learned how to write checks and do some simple book work. Now, I’m minoring in business and taking two accounting classes this semester.

Have you participated in or contributed to 4-H as an adult? If so, how?

As an adult, I still advise some of my club members and I actually installed some of the club officials.