4-H Info for Military Families

What is 4-H?

4-H provides kids with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities.

​The 4-H Program is built upon four Essential Elements that ensure youth feel a sense of belonging in a safe environment, develop independence in both group and individual work, share with others through generosity, and develop a sense of mastery that continues throughout life as they practice and share what they have learned with others. ​

How might a 4-H experience help my child grow?

Military families frequently experience physical moves and family structure changes due to deployment and reintegration.

​4-H Military Partnership Programs helps children and teens grapple with these changes in healthy ways by building communication, collaboration, and problem solving skills that translate into real-life coping strategies at home and beyond.
4-H Military Liaisons
Liaisons are the official point of contact for all 4-H military programs and serve as a professional connection between military branches and the 4-H organization. To learn more about 4-H in your state, reach out to your local Extension program or contact your 4-H State Military Liaisons.


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Summer Opportunities
Whether your family belongs to a 4-H club or not, a variety of 4-H camping opportunities are planned for military-connected youth. Camps vary by state with themes, ages, and cost. Some camps are even just for military-connected youth.  In addition to camping opportunities linked below, reach out to your local 4-H program or state 4-H military liaison for local options that may be available. 

4-H Clover

Curious about 4-H but haven't joined a club yet?
Explore fun, educational activities and learning experiences for kids and teens to do at home.
CLOVER as a variety of activities for all ages.
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Project Youth Extension Service (YES)

Attending a military family event? Chances are, your child will be learning from Project YES Leadership Facilitators. Project Youth Extension Service (YES) is the national collegiate professional development internship program supporting reserve component youth across the nation. Visit their site to learn about the program and how they support military youth every weekend.

Other Resources You May Find Useful!

Dod Military onesource
Military OneSource from the Defense Department is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
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Dod starbase
DoD STARBASE exposes our nation’s youth to the technological environments and positive civilian and military role models found on Active, Guard, and Reserve military bases and installations, nurture a winning network of collaborators, and build mutual loyalty within our communities, by providing 25 hours of exemplary hands-on instruction and activities that meet or exceed the National Standards.
https://dodstarbase.org/
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DoD STEM
DoD STEM supports a wide variety of activities including after-school programs, competitions, and internships for students and professional development and training for educators. Learn about upcoming STEM opportunities in your area or online.
https://dodstem.us/
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Department of the air force stem
Air & Space STEM Outreach enables you to experience science, technology, engineering, or math in ways that engage your STEM passion and interest! Explore opportunities to present original research, connect with scientists and engineers in a lab, or apply for an internship.
https://dafstem.us/
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Army Educational Outreach Program
Build your STEM knowledge at U.S. Army labs; introduce your students to AEOP programs; judge a STEM competition. There’s no shortage of ways to get involved!
https://www.usaeop.com/educators/
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National Guard Youth challenge
Youth Challenge is an alternative program which offers youth, who have dropped out of school or are not progressing, the opportunity to change their future. Participants looking for a way to succeed outside of a traditional school setting learn self discipline, leadership, and responsibility while working to obtain their high school diploma or equivalency.
https://ngchallenge.org/
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Virtual Lab School
The Virtual Lab School (VLS) empowers childcare professionals to build their knowledge and improve their practices through a robust online professional development system. Designed for child and youth professionals across all roles and functions, the VLS provides evidenced-based content, demonstration videos, and practical tools to facilitate high quality care and education.
https://www.virtuallabschool.org/
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Penn State Thrive initiative
initiativeThe Thrive Initiative is a suite of evidence-informed parenting programs that are designed to empower parents and caregivers as they nurture children from birth until 18 years of age. The Initiative includes a series of face-to-face and online parenting programs and a range of online resources and interactive learning modules to meet the families where they are.
https://thrive.psu.edu/
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penn state clearinghouse for military family readiness
Sound Science. Strong Families. Stronger Service.  The Clearinghouse is an applied research center created to help professionals identify, implement, evaluate, and improve programs that strengthen military service members, veterans, and their families.
https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu/
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OneOp: READINESS. KNOWLEDGE. RESEARCH
Use the latest research in your work with military families. OneOp supports the Department of Defense Military Family Readiness System by growing the professional knowledge, readiness, and networks of the service providers supporting our military service members and their families. Our free and open-access resources are created in collaboration with DoD and university subject matter experts and offer continuing education credits spanning a wide variety of subject areas and credentialing agencies.  For more information and to see the full array of opportunities and available resources, please visit us at the OneOP website.
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Navy STEM​
The Navy’s STEM is built around five priorities:
Inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers (S&Es).
Engage students and build their STEM confidence and skills through hands-on learning activities.
Educate students to be well prepared for employment in STEM careers.
Employ, retain, and develop Naval STEM professionals.
 
Collaborate on STEM efforts across the Department of the Navy, the Federal government, and best practice organizations.
https://www.navair.navy.mil/nawctsd/node/351
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NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. The 4-H Military Partnership is dedicated to welcoming and serving audiences of all backgrounds and fostering a working environment where all employees feel welcomed and respected.