Project Days for 4-H Members

Published: 2019
By Jerrica Seilstad

4-H learning experiences are created on the principles and practices of positive youth development. Youth-driven 4-H experiences provide youth access to safe learning environments; challenging experiences that build skills, competencies, and resiliency to address life's challenges and to actively contribute to society; and partnerships with caring adults to help meet youths' basic needs. As part of the Cascade County 4-H program, county-wide opportunities for learning, connecting, and serving are offered through monthly Project Day events that complement regular 4-H project learning and club activities. In the 2018-2019 4-H year, Cascade County 4-H hosted seven Project Day events, each providing multiple workshops and project areas for 4-H members. Each Project Day averaged 8 workshops and an average attendance of 62 4-H members per project day. More than 370 4-H members attended project days in the 2018-2019 year. 4-H members may attend any project workshops, regardless of which personal projects they are enrolled in through 4-H. This exposes them to different projects they may not have considered, as well as introduces them to other members outside of their club and their project interests. Participating 4-H members gained life experience in computer programming, sewing, cooking, raising livestock for consumption, woodworking, setting goals, record keeping, and more. As a direct result, members were given the chance to participate in project workshops, had a higher project completion rate at the end of the year, and broader project interests as reflected in their project selection for the new 4-H year.