4-H Military Project - Operation Military Kids (OMK)

Project Leader: Gretchen May

Project Year: 2008

Thousands of children in Massachusetts are experiencing the deployment of a family member who is serving in the Global War on Terrorism.  These children need support and connection to informed people who care.  To that end, UMass Extension 4-H is leading 2 projects: 4-H Military Project and Operation Military Kids.  Both projects connect children ages 5- 18 with 4-H opportunities and  educational, recreational and social activities as well as educate the community on the effects of deployment on children. 

For any youth development  approach to be effective, it must be grounded in positive youth development principles. These principles suggest that all youth must have a combination of the following: access to resources that promote optimal physical and mental health; nurturing relationships with adults and positive relationships with peers; safe places for living, learning and working; educational and economic opportunity; and structured activities and the opportunity for community service and civic participation (MA Department of Public Health, 2003). According to a National report entitled Eight Essential Elements for 4-H, (1999) effective youth programs must also ensure inclusive environments for all youth, as well as opportunities for mastery and active participation in determining one's future. Our 2 projects provide these items.

This project is a part of the 4-H Program

4-H New Communities Projects

Project Leader: Karen Barshefsky

Project Year: 2008

The New Communities Project addresses the needs of Massachusetts youth in the out-of-school time hours by assisting them in gaining the life skills necessary to become capable and productive adults. Through leadership development, character education, workforce readiness, and college awareness, youth in Massachusetts will learn to make informed and responsible choices in their lives.

This project is a part of the 4-H Program

4-H Program Delivery and Administration

Project Leader: Sherrie Guyott

Project Year: 2008

Positive youth development experiences are connected to decreases in negative behaviors such as alcohol use, tobacco use and violence, and increases in positive attitudes and behaviors. According to a report commissioned by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (2004), youth who participated in programming during the afterschool hours exhibited a greater interest in learning and achieved higher academic performance. The report also stated that programming did not have to be school-based. It could be of any format, such as 4-H clubs, community groups, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc., as long as programs were well-run, of high quality and actively involved youth participants. Youth development programs can approach enhancing youth experiences in a variety of ways including mentoring, academic achievement-oriented programs and civic engagement.

For any approach to be effective, it must be grounded in positive youth development principles. These principles suggest that all youth must have a combination of the following: access to resources that promote optimal physical and mental health; nurturing relationships with adults and positive relationships with peers; safe places for living, learning and working; educational and economic opportunity; and structured activities and the opportunity for community service and civic participation (MA Department of Public Health, 2003). According to a National report entitled Eight Essential Elements for 4-H, (1999) effective youth programs must also ensure inclusive environments for all youth, as well as opportunities for mastery and active participation in determining one's future.
UMass Extension includes both university-based and community-based program elements as a means to strengthen the University's outreach to youth

This project is a part of the 4-H Program

UMass Envirothon Collaborative

Project Leader: Will Snyder

Project Year: 2008

The University of Massachusetts Amherst possesses a strong academic and research base for addressing many elements of land use planning.  UMass Extension has also built strong collaborative relationships off campus with state environmental agencies and environmental NGOs which also offer important expertise and outreach capacity.

A comprehensive, long term effort to promote informed public participation in land conservation and management must include education aimed at the youth who will be the citizens and volunteer board members in their communities in the decades to come. The teachers who work with these youth are an important group of stakeholders as well, who can offer a multiplier effect in reaching youth, and who may themselves volunteer to serve on local boards.

This project is part of the 4-H Program