Greg Homan
4-H Youth Development, Van Wert County
Jason A. Hedrick
4-H Youth Development, Putnam County
Jeff Dick
4-H Youth Development, Williams County
Looking at Ohio 4-H enrollment numbers in 2004, there are three times as many youth in the 3rd and 4th grades involved in 4-H as there are youth in the 11th and 12th grades. What can be done to improve the ability of 4-H clubs to keep youth active in 4-H clubs?
According to Thompson (1998) the top three reasons youth did not re-enroll in 4-H were: 1) they were too busy; 2) other activities were more important; and 3) they did not have enough time for 4-H activities.
Research has been done to ask youth what they think about 4-H and the volunteers they work with in 4-H.
Youth are more likely to remain involved in a 4-H club if they actually feel that it is “their club.” Youth need to be active participants in the club and have a say in the club’s activities and structure. Older youth need to be encouraged to take on enhanced leadership roles within the club, such as club officers, committee members, and mentoring younger members. 4-H club advisors can serve as mentors for club officers and allow youth leaders the opportunity to “learn by doing.”
It should not be all about business. Add a little fun to your 4-H club meetings, activities, and experiences. Implementing fun activities into 4-H club work will engage youth and keep them involved. Vibrant youth groups work hard and play hard, making sure fun isn’t forgotten in the 4-H experience (Astroth, 1996).
It is very important that youth feel comfortable and accepted in the 4-H club environment. Make an effort to get to know each youth and what is unique about them. An easy way to begin this process is to vary the ways in which the club conducts roll call at each meeting. For example, after their name is called for attendance, have them reply not with the typical “here,” but with their favorite food, song, or movie (the possibilities are endless). Also, take the 4-H members’ suggestions seriously and try to guide them in leading their club. Do not do things for them that they can and want to do for themselves.
All 4-H members appreciate a little recognition for their time, work, and achievements. Often, 4-H experiences are so focused on competition that only a select few receive the recognition that they desire. Infuse methods of recognizing all youth in your clubs. Consider fun awards for small achievements, notes on birthdays, or other methods of highlighting each youth at least once per year. A simple “hello and thanks for coming” as youth arrive to meetings is a great start!
Older youth have many activities available to them that demand their time. 4-H volunteers must work with young people to develop programs and activities that address the needs of older youth to maintain their interest and involvement. Keeping meetings fun, listening to youth, appropriately recognizing youth, and ensuring that youth retain a feeling of ownership of their 4-H clubs will help retain older youth active in 4-H club programs.
Astroth, K. (1996). Welcome to the Club: Education Where the Bell Never Rings. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University.
Austin, J. (2001). Adding Pizzazz to Your 4-H Clubs: Useful Activities to Engage Local 4-H Clubs. OSU Extension Allen County Advisor Training, March 2001.
Cox, K., and Culp, K. (1997). Adult and Teen Partnerships: Linking to the 21st Century. Extension Galaxy Presentation, October 1997.
Thompson, P. L. (1998). Factors Related to the Retention of Ohio Teen 4-H Members. Thesis, The Ohio State University.
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