Benefits of 4-H
Youth learn by doing!
4-H allows youth to have fun, meet new people, learn new skills, build self confidence, develop responsibility, and set and achieve goals!
This is done through membership in a 4-H club, a group of young people who meet on a regular basis with a caring adult volunteer to guide and mentor them.
The joy of 4-H is seeing young people grow through their accomplishments.
4-H enables youth to reach their fullest potential through:
- Developing life skills.
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Public speaking competitions, called Visual Presentations, at the local and state levels.
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Goals Setting for their projects and keeping record
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- Participating in Experiential education.
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4-H offers a wide range of projects, programs and activities that every member can do.
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Engaging in community service in their local communities as well as contributing to statewide service projects.
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Practicing Leadership Skills by holding office, using Roberts Rule and working with younger youth.
For over 100 years, Massachusetts 4-H has been providing young people the opportunity to do that work, to work on their personal growth and development in a positive environment. Research shows that 4-H members are likely to excel in school, lead their peers and give to their communities. Massachusetts 4-H is a great place to be!
Massachusetts 4-H Year Highlights (Yearly Calendar)
October 15th - Begins the New 4-H Year in Massachusetts
FALL
- Families Re-enroll
- Clubs start plans for the New Year
- 4-H Records are submitted on previous year’s activities
- Members set goals for New Year
- National 4-H Week is the First Full Week of October
- Tractor Supply Clover Campaign held in October
- National SET Challenge kicks off October 1st
Winter
- Recognition Events Begin
- Winter Forum Workshops
- Rabbit and Poultry Workshops
- Members work on and practice Visual Presentations and local competitions held
- County Horse Competitions (Horse Bowl Hippology)
Spring
- State Visual Presentation Contest Held
- Animal Science Workshops and Academies Held
- Spring Tractor Supply Campaign held
- State Horse Competitions
- Teen Leadership Retreat (every other year)
Summer
- Explore UMass Amherst
- State Photography Contest
- Fairs (Start late June-early October)
Testimonies
"4-H has done so much for the participants, especially at this unprecedented time. You helped to take a bit of the beginning-of-the-school-year jitters away, having the children focus on their projects and creativity. Thank you for making this difficult time a productive and meaningful time for our families and members! "
From a parent who attended the online career workshops:
"Thank you so much for having the presentation last night with a veterinarian. My daughter really enjoyed it and being on the presentation answered so many questions about what she wants to do."
From a 4-H member attending the gardening workshops:
"Gardening is so fun and it’s one of my strengths. I want to make it my career. 4-H is such an amazing program and I feel so lucky to be a part of it!"
From an adult attending an online workshop:
"Thank you so much for organizing such an enjoyable workshop and inviting all of us to attend. The facilitator was engaging and such a great instructor! The members did such a great job creating their stars - I was so impressed with their final products. "