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4‑H civic engagement programs empower you to be a well-informed citizen who can actively engage in your community and the world. 4-H Civic Engagement focuses on Community Engagement, Service, Civic Education and Personal Development.
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
Learn to make a positive difference in your community using your knowledge, skills, values, and motivation. Help others in ways that build your sense of purpose and help you feel connected to friends and supportive adults in your community.
Citizenship project sheet (PDF, 235 KB)
Community Service
Community Service
Experience the value of helping others as you develop leadership, communication and organizational skills. Gain a sense of empowerment and build self-esteem from the positive effect of your service.
Domestic Exchanges
Domestic Exchanges
During this project, participate in a two-way exchange with 4-H'ers from another state or another county within California. The groups can also take turns hosting each other for face-to-face get togethers.
Global Education
Global Education
Build cross-cultural awareness, cooperation and understanding about other countries. Learn about living and working in a global society.
Global Education project sheet (PDF, 262.2 KB)
Hi 4-H (grades 9-12)
Hi 4-H (grades 9-12)
High school aged 4-H'ers plan and participate in a civic engagement and community pride project.
Service Learning
Service Learning
Learn how to step-up a community service project to a service-learning project and make a greater impact on your community while learning new skills.
Service Learning project sheet (PDF, 254.2 KB)
Ecology & Conservation
Ecology & Conservation
Understanding ecosystems supports addressing challenges to manage natural resources in a changing environment. See all Ecology and Conservation projects.
Service-learning Projects
Service-learning Projects
Siskiyou 4-H youth team created Pet Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) pamphlets to inform and teach the public about how to keep pets and livestock safe in case of emergency.
2018: Siskiyou County Hi 4-H helps animal owners prepare for fire season
Follow-up in 2023: 4-H youth project helps Siskiyou County prepare animals for emergencies
Beyond Community Service:
Service Learning Projects
Beyond Community Service:
Service Learning Projects
Service learning projects combine community service with learning about an issue so the solution can be more meaningful and impactful. With a service learning project, you use your skills in civic engagement, critical thinking and social responsibility.
You can plan and carry out a service learning project by yourself or with a team. Service-learning projects help senior 4-H members earn an Impact Star in the Achievement Program.
Support for Service Learning Projects
Support for Service Learning Projects
Youth Service Learning Planning Guidebook (PDF, 536 KB)
Work your way through the Achievement Program to learn how to use your Spark to make a difference in your community.
Attend Citizenship Washington Focus – Gain a better understanding of government, reflect on the variety of issues you can impact, and get inspired by other youth who have made an impact in their communities.
Connect with your volunteer leaders for support. Building Community - A Blueprint for Action (PDF, 137.1 KB)
Civic Engagement Projects
Civic Engagement Projects
Plogging through California
Plogging through California
Community Service Project
Community Service Project
Plogging Through California is an exciting opportunity created for California 4-H Teen Leaders by the 2022 California 4-H State Ambassadors in partnership with Chile, Uruguay, Panama, and Argentina!
What is Plogging?
What is Plogging?
Go out jogging, hiking, or walking and pick up trash while you do it.
Use our Plogging Event Planning Guide (PDF, 2.1 MB) for tips for planning your event, timelines, and more.
Youth learn to work in partnership with adult mentors. (Photo courtesy of Curtis Ullerich)
Key Objectives
Key Objectives
Give youth hands-on experiences with:
Voice, planning, and decision-making skills
Influence and power in community action
Mutual respect between youth and adults
Authentic learning experiences through real-world engagement
Civic Engagement Academy
Civic Engagement Academy
County-wide project
County-wide project
The Civic Engagement Academy is a county-wide program designed to empower youth ages 11 to 13 with skills in civic leadership. This program guides them through the steps of issue identification, action, and community change.
Roles in the Academy
Roles in the Academy
Participants: 4-H Members ages 11 to 13
Teen Teachers (4-H Members ages 14 to 19): Lead and facilitate curriculum activities for younger participants.
Adult Mentors: Support, guide, and collaborate with youth to ensure a meaningful learning experience.
Program Structure
Program Structure
The Civic Engagement Academy spans three interactive sessions (3-5 hours each) with time for reflection and community action between sessions. The program includes structured lesson plans, hands-on activities, and opportunities for youth to take initiative in civic leadership.
The program encourages collaboration through youth-adult partnerships. High school-aged youth co-teach with caring adult mentors, helping to lead activities, facilitate discussions, and mentor the participants.
Bring the Civic Engagement Academy to your county!
Bring the Civic Engagement Academy to your county!
The Civic Engagement Academy is a county-wide project. Get started:
Work with your county 4-H professional to get started. They will help to set up and schedule a county-wide project.
Gather a planning team with a minimum of 2 youth.
Schedule a training session for your planning team and county 4-H professional with Jenna Colburn at jcolburn@ucanr.edu.
After the training session you will receive the Civic Engagement Academy curriculum, PowerPoint slide deck for each lesson and materials list.
Questions? Please contact Jenna Colburn at jcolburn@ucanr.edu.
Civic Engagement Volunteer Opportunities
Civic Engagement Volunteer Opportunities
Civic Engagement Officer
Civic Engagement Officer
The Civic Engagement Officer in your club helps organize community service projects. Support your community and gain a better understanding of what your community needs and how to support it.
Civic Engagement Advisory Committee
Civic Engagement Advisory Committee
Join 4-H Youth, Volunteers, partners and professionals who want to improve and increase participation in 4-H Civic Engagement projects.
Civic Engagement Advisory Committee (PDF, 158.8 KB)
Civic Engagement Events
Civic Engagement Events
Increase your knowledge of Civic Engagement at state and national events. Participation is managed through the state 4-H office for these events.
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4-H Civic Engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world.
National 4-H Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
See the California 4-H state website for updates on registering for this event.
Ag Day at the Capitol
Ag Day at the Capitol
Ag Day at the Capitol is held in Sacramento at the State Capitol every year. This event is hosted by the California Department of Agriculture. It is a time for legislators and the public to recognize and appreciate the positive impact of agriculture in California.
UC ANR and California 4-H youth connect with legislators and their staff at this event to share about their impact on agriculture and youth development.
Citizenship Washington Focus
Citizenship Washington Focus
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), the leading civic engagement program for high school youth. CWF is hosted by the National 4-H Council. Starting in 2026, CWF will be part of Ignite by 4-H.
Questions about Civic Engagement?
Questions about Civic Engagement?
Please contact Ryan Cleland at rpcleland@ucanr.edu.
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