Youth eager to get involved in their communities as active leaders and participants thrive in civic engagement projects where they gain the tools to tackle big issues and create positive change in their club, their community, their country, and their world.
An opportunity for teens to experience hands-on learning by focusing on different aspects of government such as passing a bill, the judicial system, lobbying, the election process, creating a budget, and aspects of county, state, federal, and international government. Youth learn through relevant curriculum and culminate their experience by participating in the annual Washington 4-H Know Your Government Conference.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Understand legislative processes
- Experience parliamentary procedures
- Practice responsible citizenship/participation in democracy
- Develop skills in debate, persuasive speaking, conscientious listening, and leadership
- Acquire knowledge of state legislative districts and the issues that affect them
4-H Government Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
State 4-H Citizenship Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Washington Specific Reference Material
Your Government – Washington State
How our government works should be transparent and accessible. Read reports and data on our state’s budget and debt management, and learn more about our legislature, courts, corrections department, local and tribal government, and military. Get informed and involved through voting and elections or volunteering with a state agency.
Know Your Government (KYG) is a civic education program with a four-year rotating topic: The Legislative System, The Judicial System, Elections and Party Platforms, and Politics and the Media. It is important to remember though, that KYG is much more than learning about how the Legislative process works. In fact, one could argue that it is little about that.
Purpose: To bring high school students from across the state to share ideas, concerns, and potential solutions to problems; to learn about Washington State government and how to become a positive contributing citizen; and to strengthen the connection between youth and our political and social networks through education, experience, application, and inspiration.
The 4-H Civic Engagement project focuses on how youth engage with their communities as informed participants who understand or want to grow their understanding of their role in civic affairs.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn about local neighborhood, school, and community
- Conduct meetings, elect officers, work on committees
- Participate in community service
- Learn about one’s role as a citizen
- Learn how local, state, and national governments are organized
4-H Civic Engagement Curriculum
Available through the Extension office and online.
Citizenship Adventure Kit Curriculum Digital Download
Designed to engage youth in changing a piece of the public world, discovering the possibilities of democratic citizenship and building a commitment to taking action in new and exciting ways.
Citizenship Adventure Curriculum Guide’s Handbook Digital Download
Appropriate for Middle School aged audience. Youth become “Special Opportunities Agents,” as they follow a series of exciting activities that engage youth in their community & allow them to reflect on their experiences.
Civic Engagement Level 2: My Neighborhood
Civic Engagement Level 3: My Community & Me
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Exploring 4-H Civic Engagement Spark Activity: Civic Engagement Scavenger Hunt – Illinois 4-H (PDF)
Who wants to be a leader in your community? 4-H civic engagement programs empower young people to be well informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. Youth learn about civic affairs, build decision-making skills and develop a sense of understanding and confidence in relating and connecting to other people. These life skills help grow 4-H youth into true leaders.
4-H Citizenship: Government is Us! A Civic Engagement Curriculum for Youth Groups – Michigan
This curriculum is designed to help 4-H’ers and other young people aged 13 to 19 explore citizenship and civic education. Its goal is to help teens develop the attitudes, knowledge and skills they need to be active citizens and practice what they learn in their own communities. Citizenship is not a spectator sport, and the learning activities in the book get youth and adults more involved, cause them to think critically about their values and beliefs, and prepare them to be active citizens in the future. Developing the in-depth understanding of community issues and the political process provided by “Government Is Us” empowers young people and motivates them to work for change in their communities.
Community Pride Program Guide – Wyoming 4-H (PDF)
4-H Community Pride is an educational project aimed at developing good citizens who understand how community members can solve problems and provide services for a community.
Community Marks the Spot Activity Plan
This was the third annual Wisconsin 4-H Statewide Service Learning Project and could be adapted easily for an individual 4-H club wanting to better share the natural features, history, and interesting places in their community.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Washington State 4-H Teen Equity & Inclusion Task Force
The purpose of the Washington State 4-H Teen Equity and Inclusion Task Force is to facilitate and support an inclusive 4-H youth organization. Using compassion and empathy, we strive to create an open and safe environment to celebrate and embrace our diversity.
Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council
The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is the only nonpartisan youth-led committee empowered by state law to represent the official voice of Washington youth to the Legislature. It is entirely student-led, and co-administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Washington State Leadership Board.
Each year, a select group of 14-18 year old students from a diverse range of political, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds are appointed to the council by the Lt. Governor’s Office with the help of existing members. On the council, students spend two years learning about and engaging directly with the legislative process by making meaningful policy recommendations to the Legislature. Established in 2005 as the brainchild of then-12 year old Alex Jonlin, a semi-finalist for the Harvard Kennedy School’s Innovations in Government award, LYAC is enduring proof of teenagers’ ability to make change in their communities.
From lobbying legislators, to hosting events with hundreds of young people from across the state, to traveling around the state teaching civic engagement workshops, LYAC aims to leave an enduring legacy on the lives of youth across the state with its work. To learn more, check out Our Work.
Adolescent and Young Adult Health Youth Advisory Council
Public health needs young people’s voices!
We value the insight, expertise, experiences, and contributions of adolescents and young adults — they know what public health issues are important to young people and what solutions will work.
- To help create a structure for DOH to regularly talk with and learn from youth, we invited Washington’s young people to apply to be a member of the second generation of the WA State Department of Health’s Youth Advisory Council. Also known as the YAC or the Council, members meet with DOH’s Adolescent Health staff on a regular basis to discuss adolescent and young adult health topics. Their insight helps guide public health work to make sure that Department of Health (DOH) strategies are relevant, accessible, and youth friendly.
- Learn more in our one-pager in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF). Additional languages available by request
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
The 4H Youth in Action program amplifies the diverse stories and leadership of 4H youth who are making a difference in their communities every day. It is a premiere community of 4H’ers who are preparing for their future while showcasing how 4H changed their lives and equipped them to change the lives of others.
Civic Engagement – National 4-H
4‑H civic engagement programs empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. Youth learn about civic affairs, build decision-making skills and develop a sense of understanding and confidence in relating and connecting to other people.
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
- Civic Engagement – Youth.gov
- Center for Civic Education
- Teaching Civic Engagement: From Student to Active Citizen – American Political Science Association, State of the Profession Series (PDF)
National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H Civic Engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world. At the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions and present to federal partner agencies along with the opportunity for delegates to engage with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
Rooted in legacy but reimagined for today, CWF is THE event for teens to learn leadership and communication skills through history, democracy, and our amendments.
An educational experience designed to make an impact in Atlanta, Georgia in November. Join 4-Hers from across the country to expand your skills, engage with other members, and be inspired to make an impact in your club, community, country, and world.Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
Know Your Local Government is a new, hands-on program that focuses on local civic education. Youth will engage with their local lawmakers and government structures in order to better understand their civic responsibilities and impact on city, township, county, and other governing structures.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Understand legislative processes
- Experience parliamentary procedures
- Practice responsible citizenship/participation in democracy
- Develop skills in debate, persuasive speaking, conscientious listening, and leadership
- Learn how local government makes decisions and how they can engage with lawmakers on issues they are passionate about
- Gain wider knowledge on local issues and the impact these officials and measures have on their day-to-day lives
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For adult helpers and club leaders
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Citizenship: Government is Us! A Civic Engagement Curriculum for Youth Groups – Michigan
This curriculum is designed to help 4-H’ers and other young people aged 13 to 19 explore citizenship and civic education. Its goal is to help teens develop the attitudes, knowledge and skills they need to be active citizens and practice what they learn in their own communities. Citizenship is not a spectator sport, and the learning activities in the book get youth and adults more involved, cause them to think critically about their values and beliefs, and prepare them to be active citizens in the future. Developing the in-depth understanding of community issues and the political process provided by “Government Is Us” empowers young people and motivates them to work for change in their communities.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Counties 101 – Washington State Association of Counties
Are you a Washington state student or citizen seeking education on how county government works? You’ve come to the right place!
Counties are remnants of British mode of government, where lands were divided into ‘shires’ and ruled regionally. Everyone in Washington lives in one of 39 counties that make up the state. The effective thing about counties is that they are hyper local – county officials are from the county they are working for!
Association of Washington Cities
Resources for finding information about Washington and its 3 branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
Washington State 4-H Teen Equity & Inclusion Task Force
The purpose of the Washington State 4-H Teen Equity and Inclusion Task Force is to facilitate and support an inclusive 4-H youth organization. Using compassion and empathy, we strive to create an open and safe environment to celebrate and embrace our diversity.
Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council
The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is the only nonpartisan youth-led committee empowered by state law to represent the official voice of Washington youth to the Legislature. It is entirely student-led, and co-administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Washington State Leadership Board.
Each year, a select group of 14-18 year old students from a diverse range of political, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds are appointed to the council by the Lt. Governor’s Office with the help of existing members. On the council, students spend two years learning about and engaging directly with the legislative process by making meaningful policy recommendations to the Legislature. Established in 2005 as the brainchild of then-12 year old Alex Jonlin, a semi-finalist for the Harvard Kennedy School’s Innovations in Government award, LYAC is enduring proof of teenagers’ ability to make change in their communities.
From lobbying legislators, to hosting events with hundreds of young people from across the state, to traveling around the state teaching civic engagement workshops, LYAC aims to leave an enduring legacy on the lives of youth across the state with its work. To learn more, check out Our Work.
Adolescent and Young Adult Health Youth Advisory Council
Public health needs young people’s voices!
We value the insight, expertise, experiences, and contributions of adolescents and young adults — they know what public health issues are important to young people and what solutions will work.
- To help create a structure for DOH to regularly talk with and learn from youth, we invited Washington’s young people to apply to be a member of the second generation of the WA State Department of Health’s Youth Advisory Council. Also known as the YAC or the Council, members meet with DOH’s Adolescent Health staff on a regular basis to discuss adolescent and young adult health topics. Their insight helps guide public health work to make sure that Department of Health (DOH) strategies are relevant, accessible, and youth friendly.
- Learn more in our one-pager in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF). Additional languages available by request
Other Reference Material
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H Civic Engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world. At the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions and present to federal partner agencies along with the opportunity for delegates to engage with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
Rooted in legacy but reimagined for today, CWF is THE event for teens to learn leadership and communication skills through history, democracy, and our amendments.