Service Learning
Getting Youth Involved in Service to Others
Service to the community is one of the pillars of 4-H membership. All 4-H members and clubs are required to participate in at least one service project each year, because it helps youth develop compassion and empathy for others. This is an important step to help youth live our pledge “my heart to greater loyalty” and “my hands to greater service.” Older 4-Hers are encouraged to plan and execute a service learning project from start to finish.
When planning a service learning project, 4-H clubs should complete the Planning Form, and when they are finished with their project, they should do a Final Report. More information about these forms are available below.
What is community service?
Community service is usually a “one and done” activity. It includes things like a food drive, clothing drive, or litter pick up. These types of activities help youth apply the “heart” and “hands” parts of our pledge, but youth typically do not organize the activities. Community service is a great way to introduce the concepts of giving back to the community and helping others. It is very appropriate for our younger 4-H members, who don’t yet have the critical thinking, decision making, and leadership skills to execute a service-learning project.
What is service learning?
Service learning engages not only the “heart” and “hands” but also the “head.” Service learning is a process in which youth identify a need, develop solutions to address that need, implement a plan to put their solution into action, and reflect on the results of their action. Service learning should be planned and implemented by youth, with parents and volunteers supporting and guiding the process. Service learning is more appropriate for older youth who are ready to take on more responsibility. Service learning not only helps youth develop a sense of compassion, but it also helps them develop more independence.
Not sure what to do for your project?
Visit this blog to find 17 Ideas to Jump Start your 4-H Service to Communities.
Does your club need funding to complete your service project?
Check out the information on the Community Pride Grant below!
Do you have a plan for your club's service learning project? Fill out the planning form here to notify the 4-H Office of your plans, and to invite other 4-H members to help.
Once you've completed your service learning project, it's important that you report what you did. The 4-H Office can use this information to share
COMMUNITY PRIDE: SERVICE-LEARNING GRANT PROGRAM
Community Pride is a service-learning program aimed to support 4-H members and clubs across the state in giving back to their communities. 4-H members of all ages may participate in a Community Pride Project. During the project a community issue is identified, a service project is selected, a plan is implemented by the group, and reflection and reporting take place.
Project proposals are due December 1. Final reports are due June 1. All information regarding these submissions can be found on the Florida 4-H Communtiy Prode Grant Webpage.