4-H Program

What is 4‑H?

4‑H is delivered by Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.

Through life-changing 4-H programs, nearly six million kids and teens are learning the skills and abilities to be resilient, adaptable and ready for work and life.

Clallam County 4-H

4-H is the youth development education program of Washington State University Extension, which is conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington State University and Clallam County.

In 4‑H programs, kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps.

4‑H’s reach and depth are unmatched, reaching kids in every corner of America – from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. Our network of 500,000 volunteers and more than 3,000 4-H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to all 6 million 4H’ers—helping them grow into engaged individuals who are hungry to learn, open to new experiences and ready to take on the world.

The Essential Elements of 4-H

Belonging – Mastery – Independence – Generosity

The Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development are basic principles upon which the 4-H Youth Development Program operates.

• Belonging
  • A Positive Relationship with a Caring Adult who acts as an advisor, guide, and mentor.
  • An Inclusive Environment that creates a sense of belonging encourages and supports members with positive and specific feedback.
  • A Safe Environment where everyone is free of fears related to physical and emotional harm.
• Mastery
  • An Opportunity for Mastery is the building of knowledge, skills and attitudes and the opportunity to demonstrate one’s competence.
  • An Engagement in Learning means that one is mindful of one’s subject area and can build relationships and connections with other subject areas.
• Independence
  • Opportunity to See Oneself as an Active Participant in the Future and to shape life choices to facilitate the transition into participating in the future.
  • Opportunity for Self-Determination and exercising a sense of influence over our lives, exercising our potential to become self-directing, autonomous adults.
• Generosity
  • Opportunity to Value and Practice Service to Others. Finding one’s self begins with losing self in the service of others.

Incorporating these elements enables the 4-H Program to focus on positive outcomes desired for youth; provide programs for all young people; view youth as central actors in their own development; and consider the development of the whole young person.