What is a project? Each 4-H member will have an opportunity to select one or more projects to learn about during the year. A project is simply a topic or subject the member wants to explore. The member will focus on increasing their knowledge and skills on this topic during the year. Projects are completely self-paced. A member may focus on a project over the whole year, or spend just a few months on a specific project. Similarly, a member may choose to explore the same topic for many years, gaining a real, in-depth knowledge of the project.
Another member may prefer to explore a wide variety of projects during his/her 4-H years.
In most cases, the member will end up with one or more finished exhibits to enter in the fair from each project he/she selects. With nearly 150 projects available, there is something to interest every child.
There is not a limit to the number of projects a member can select; however parents and leaders should help guide members in setting realistic, but challenging goals. It is always better to complete fewer projects that reflect quality workmanship than to do a “rush job” and complete a lot of poorer quality projects.
Project work is at the heart of 4-H. As youth work to complete a 4-H project, a lot more is happening than “just” learning new skills. In fact, project work encompasses all four “H’s” - head, heart, hands and health.
Take for instance a young person working on a sewing project. Their project-related activities may involve…
HEAD Mental development: gaining deeper knowledge and reasoning abilities.
· Learning how to select a pattern that is properly sized.
· Utilizing smart consumer skills when shopping for fabric, equipment, and sewing notions.
· Calculating the correct amount of fabric to purchase for various fabric widths.
HEART Emotional development: developing interests, appreciation and wholesome attitudes
· Working as a team with fellow club members to select a sewing project to complete
· Caring for others by sewing baby blankets for the hospital.
HANDS Skills development: ability to do, skill in doing, and the habit of doing
· Demonstrating the ability to properly thread a sewing machine
· Becoming skilled in sewing straight and curved seams that follow a seam allowance
· Completing a sewing project utilizing correct techniques
HEALTH Physical development: understanding an appreciation of a changing body
· Learning to select garments that are flattering for their body shape
· Developing poise and body posture when modeling the garment in a 4-H Fashion Show
How do we select a project? In most cases, club members, leaders or 4-H families choose a project they want to complete during the year. Members will work on that project together at club meetings or independently. A club leader, parent volunteer, community resource person, or perhaps an older 4-H member may teach the club’s project lesson.
4-H members can choose additional projects that they will be able to work on outside of their club meetings. They may seek guidance from their parents, leaders, community organizations, or other experts in the field to assist them in acquiring these new skills.
What is a 4-H project manual? To help guide your learning experience, 4-H offers project manuals. These written manuals provide age-appropriate, hands-on lessons to help youth acquire new skills and knowledge. There are youth manuals and adult helper manuals. Typically the manuals are developed in a series with three or four levels. These manuals are researched-based through Universities nationwide.
Please keep in mind that you are not required to utilize a project manual to guide your child’s 4-H project, but you will find it very helpful. Also, do not feel like you have to
complete every learning activity listed in the project manual. Think of the project manual as a very useful resource for you, rather than a “to do” list of activities that must be completed.
How do we find out what 4-H project manuals are available?
Current information of the 4-H project manuals and resources is available at: https://4h.unl.edu/resources/projects/ . Project manuals vary in price and can be purchased at the Adams County Extension Office or online.
To help in selecting a project, you are welcome to view our project manuals at the Adams County Extension Office. Stop in or call our office to see which manuals are on hand!