| COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE |
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OVERVIEW
Youth participate in 4-H in many ways, through organized 4-H clubs,
special interest or short-term groups, school enrichment programs, camping,
or as individual 4-H members.
Founded in the early 1900's, 4-H combines the cooperative efforts
of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, and government,
including the US Department of Agriculture. Further support comes from the
National 4-H Council headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and private
donations that help to sponsor and support programs.
The ultimate mission of 4-H is to help youth and volunteers to
acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes that will enable
them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of
society.MISSION
The goal of the 4-H/Youth Development Education Program is to assist
youth and adults in becoming competent, coping, and contributing members of
the global society, developing essential life skills through planned, "learn
by doing" experience.
4-H is the human development program of the Virgin Islands
Cooperative Extension Service involving youths and adults. 4-H is:
Community based and locally determined
Primarily group focused and family oriented
Volunteer operated, and
Coordinated by professional staff
4-H uses the university knowledge base as a means of facilitating
the design, development, and delivery of experiential youth education
programs.
4-H emphasizes subject-matter related projects and activities, networking
there sources of extension land-grant universities, and other universities,
and youth-serving agencies.
4-H structures the learning environment using knowledge from the social and
behavioral sciences and the humanities to promote the acquisition of life
skills.
The mix of subject-matter and educational methods in the presence of a
democratic environment provides the vehicle for the human development
process.
4-H is operated by volunteers under the guidance of Extension
professionals. A necessary corollary of the youth development goal is the
development of volunteers as Youth Education Program.
Volunteers structure group learning experiences for youths using the social
and behavioral sciences.
Volunteers render services in support of the 4-H'ers, other volunteers, and
the 4-H program in general.
Extension professionals teach volunteers to use subject matter, educational
methods, and the democratic process to achieve human development objectives.
Learning experiences are enriched by support from individuals and
private resources. 4-H is publicly supported by country, state and federal
governments.OBJECTIVE
To "learn by doing" is fundamental in any sound educational program
and is characteristic of the 4-H/Youth development Education Program at the
Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service. Informal education provided by
this program enhances values provided by the home, school, church, and other
youth friendly environments.
These fundamental values in 4-H address the personal qualities young
people need to become productive citizens of the world today, and tomorrow:
Acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes for a satisfying life. the
objective is to teach 4-H members how to think, not what to think.
Enjoy a useful work experience, together with the responsibility and
satisfaction of personal accomplishment. Sound work habits carry over
into worthwhile personal achievement.
Develop leadership talents and abilities to participate effectively as
members of a group. 4-H recognizes the role of citizens to actively join and
participate in community group.
Appreciate the values of research and learn scientific methods. 4-H helps
young people understand the "why" of the physical and biological world, so
they are prepared to manage their resources wisely and make the best of
their abilities.
Develop an appreciation for importance of science, agriculture, and home,
and their relationship to the total economy. Education is the foundation of
4-H programming through its direct tie to state land-grant universities.
Explore careers related to these fields and recognize the need for life
long learning. 4-H is a project-based youth organization that teaches youth
skills they can take with them as career bound adults.
Appreciate nature, understand conservation, and make wise use of natural
resources. The very life of the future generation depends on adequate
educational efforts in conversation in years immediately ahead.
Cultivate traits of healthful living, purposeful recreation, and intelligent
use of leisure time. Wholesome recreation is needed as a balance to
demanding work and helps to keep youth both mentally and physically alert.
Develop personal standards and philosophy of life based on lasting values.
This includes making the world a better place for others, stressing honesty,
integrity, and high standards for the individual and the group.
Develop attitudes, abilities and understanding for working cooperatively
with others. 4-H is a real laboratory of life where members learn valuable
lessons with the sympathetic counsel and guidance of friendly adults.
In summary, the 4-H mission is to help young people become
self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. Its
objectives are to help young people and adults to obtain a balance in life,
work, leisure, family, community and self. |