Elevating youth voice in 4-H after-school programs
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EmailYear-round, chartered 4-H clubs use a proven method for engaging youth in the decision-making process. Consider the following methods to utilize youth voice in after-school clubs.
We often think of 4-H participation as a one-of-two-tracks situation: youth participate in a chartered, year-round club or they do…the other option. That other option could be a SPIN club, a one-time event, or maybe an after-school club. We know that year-round clubs provide opportunities for youth to practice a , with leadership skills embedded in most activities. They hold offices, lead meetings, and request training and support activities. How, then, can we ensure similar opportunities for youth participating in 4-H after-school programs?
Occasionally, 4-H after-school programs are chartered clubs, and this question answers itself: youth should be elected to officer positions, they should utilize parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order, and they should direct the focus of their club. However, in the many instances where youth are participating in a 4-H after-school program that is a 4-H SPIN club or 4-H programming taking place in partnership with another after-school program—21st Century or Boys and Girls Club, for example—leadership opportunities should be purposefully considered and incorporated. Some potential opportunities could be:
- Encourage youth to take turns leading each other in the 4-H pledge. Pledges should take place at all 4-H programming, in accordance with our
- Invite youth to share specific skills or talents. 4-H programming relies on an experiential learning model, and an element of experiential learning is teaching and sharing what has been learned. To quote a 4-H volunteer: to teach something is to learn it twice.
- Wherever applicable, continue to incorporate elements of parliamentary procedure. Involve youth in discussion and decisions about specific topics and activities with which to work.
- Look for opportunities to utilize 4-H teen leaders. Are you working on an afterschool program with elementary or middle school youth? There might be an opportunity to invite teens in your program to join you or adult volunteers in leading activities.
4-H helps youth become beyond ready for work and for life by encouraging them to explore their ideas and have their voices heard. It is vital that we create space for this exploration in all our programming.
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. To find out how to get involved as a youth participant or an adult volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office.
