Utilizing 4-H in Afterschool Settings: Two Approaches for Integration

Abstract

As our communities grow and change, afterschool programs represent an avenue to bring resources to populations which would otherwise not be available to them. Combining 4-H with the afterschool environment can be beneficial in supporting and raising the quality of afterschool programs being offered. This article explores the benefits and challenges of two approaches of implementing 4-H programming in afterschool settings: the 4-H managed program that is created and run solely by 4-H faculty and staff and the 4-H afterschool partnerships which are facilitated in partnership with existing afterschool programs. Regardless of the approach, combining 4-H with afterschool programs can strengthen well established programs and can enhance the quality of all afterschool programs.

Development and Pilot Testing of a Food Literacy Curriculum for High School-Aged Adolescents

“…Each of the twelve modules feature experiential learning activities intended to cultivate teamwork, which is important for afterschool educational programs [ 68 ], and build knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy associated with food literacy. With Teens CAN primarily intended for low-income adolescents, facilitating the curriculum within afterschool programs is particularly important for introducing youth to science-based programming applicable to daily living that they otherwise would not be permitted to access [ 69 , 70 , 71 ].…”