Non-traditional 4-H and youth development

Published: 2019
By Wendy Becker

Non-traditional 4-H and Youth Programming There are a number of communities across the Fort Peck Reservation. Working together with different tribal departments, schools, youth groups, and businesses helps identify where some outreach programs are needed. In several schools, art instruction isn’t always able to focus time or money on fun aspects of learning. MSU Extension is able to supplement curriculum plans and activities for teachers in art, crafting, and hands-on activities. Some of the programs also center on the Montana mandate of Indian Education for All. Arts and crafts projects have included making leather ornaments, bookmarks, or key rings. We were able to provide a robotics kit with support from the Gianforte Family Foundation to use in conjunction with STEM activities. In cooking and food preparation classes, we focus on simple snacks or discuss old tradition vs. new tradition. We create sausage, jerky, summer sausage, and snack sticks in a completely hands-on environment meant to enhance student learning. Holiday-centered crafts are created for youth to bring to their families. All of these projects help to support family cohesiveness and invite children to communicate. They can articulate what they did, feel great pride in something accomplished, and inspire further learning or creativity. Life skills learning in a positive youth development setting has shown that hands-on learning experiences can make a positive impact on youth and those around them.