The Case for More Life Skills 4-H Clubs

A recent article published in Mother Jones calls for a return of “Home Economics” to classrooms across the country, for both genders of students. The authors argue that,

“Public school systems are so strapped that they’re already slashing equally worthy classes like art, music, and PE. But producing generation upon generation of people who don’t know how to feed themselves healthily or manage their finances is generating massive, cascading societal costs…”

While this might be true, 4-H has an important role to play here. As an informal education, separate from public schools, we have the opportunity to fill some major gaps in knowledge, and some clubs are doing just that with “life skills” focused project areas.

I recently reviewed some club plans for a teen center and I was so excited to see these things listed on their program plan:

1. Making a meal plan
2. Making a shopping list
3. Shopping with coupons
4. Shopping comparisons
5. Preparing for a hurricane
6. Folding laundry
7. Ironing laundry
8. Sewing on a button
9. Hemming a pair of pants
10. Basic car maintenance
11. Manners for special occasions
12. Using public transportation
13. Using household cleaners and organizing your house
14. Tools for yard work
15. Personal safety-Being Aware when you are out

These are true life skills, that while some may think they are obvious, I can assure you, middle school and high school students we are working with are desperate for these skills and in fact LOVE learning them with their friends.

When offered in combination with other clubs such as cooking, sewing, and community service, we can begin to really shape young people into productive and responsible adults. So I would encourage all middle school and teen centers to consider offering a “life skills” style club this year.

Year Round Growing! Tips for Starting from Seed

Year Round Growing! Tips for Starting from Seed.

Visit The Green Box Garden for tips on Fall gardening, including starting from seeds! There’s a lot of 4-H Gardening clubs this year, so if you are new to gardening, let us help you be successful! Aloha!

Smart Planning: Combining Your BGCA & 4-H Requirements

One of the most common discussions I have with military staff at after school programs and teen centers is how to effectively combine required programming.  While each site will have their own unique solutions based on youth and teen interest, I’ve compiled a few tips here.  These are condensed from trainings and discussions on linking 4-H and BGCA programs.

1. Both programs have similar, not competing goals. 4-H Mission Statement: “To empower youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.” BGCA Mission Statement: “To enable all young people especially those who needs us most to reach their full potential as productive caring responsible citizens.”

2. The way we go about doing it is similar. 4-H Essential Elements are: Belonging, Independence, Generosity and Mastery.  The BGCA Strategy is: Belonging, Usefulness, Influence, Competence.

3. Our Core program areas differ slightly, which makes them complimentary in your program planning. 4-H Mission Mandates include Science, Citizenship and Health Living.  BGCA Program areas are in Charter development, Career Development, Health, The Arts and Sports.

4. What does a combined program look like?  Your BGCA Keystone or Torch clubs might also be your 4-H Leadership, Citizenship, Communications or Service Learning clubs. Other examples:

• 4-H Science, Outdoor Adventures, Butterfly Wings or Gardening might include BGCA Dragon Fly Quest.
• 4-H Financial Champions, Reading Makes Cents & Consumer Savvy might include BGCA Money Matters.
• BGCA Career Launch, Job Ready or Goals for Graduation might include 4-H Get in the Act or Be the E.
• Link BGCA Triple Play or Smart Moves programming with 4-H Foods & Nutrition, Bicycle Adventures, Up for the Challenge, Health Rocks!, Leadership
• In the arts, combine 4-H visual arts, theater arts, photography with BGCA fine arts, Drama Matters, Image Makers and Music Makers.

When you have the combined difficulty of also including mandatory Navy, Army or Marine Corps programs into your site, try to group a club around a theme where you can pull various pieces together for an integrated experience.  A healthy lifestyles themed club might include activities from your branch of service, 4-H and BGCA, alternating weeks. Not every program is going to appeal to every youth, so the diversity of programs is essential to meet the needs of our youth, and build resiliency.