Incorporate the Keys Into 4-H Camp

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Incorporate the Keys Into4-H Camp

• National Camping Institute
• Niki Nestor McNeely
• February 20, 2006

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Youth Development

• Youth development is the result of the
  accumulation of everyday people, places, and
  possibilities that youth experience.
• (Pittman Irby, 1996)

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Positive Youth Development . . . A Step Beyond .
. .

• Problem free is not fully prepared.
• (Pittman, 1991)

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• Our work must emphasize deliberate investment
  in positive factors that research has shown to be
  closely tied to reduced levels of negative
  behaviors as well as increased levels of thriving
  attitudes and behaviors.
• (Blyth, 2000)

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What are we developing?

• Processes known to or assumed to advance health
  and well-being
• Competence
• Mastery
• Positive identity
• Resilience
• Caring
• Connection
• Belonging
• (Benson Saito, 2000)

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• While youth development happens everywhere and
  not just in programs, youth development programs
  are perhaps the most deliberate efforts to
  stimulate development.
• (Blyth, 2000)

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Todays Objectives

• What is the link between the 8 key elements and
  what were doing in our 4-H camping programs?
• Review elements of positive youth development.
• Discuss how to incorporate into programs.

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• If you dont know where youre going, any road
  will get you there.
• Alice in Wonderland

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Participation More Than Just Showing Up

• Participation Attendance
• More complete view of participation
• Intensity
• How often?
• Duration
• For how long?
• Breadth
• At what level?

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Key Elements
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Development by Design

• High quality youth development doesnt just
  happen, but rather it occurs through careful
  planning and the deliberate inclusion of certain
  elements.
• (Astroth, 2000)

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Key Elements of a 4-H Experience

• Positive relationship with a caring adult
• Mastery competence
• Value practice service to others
• Self-determination
• Sense of purpose future
• Engagement in learning
• Safe environment
• Inclusive environment
• http//ag.arizona.edu/icyf/evaluation/critical_ele
  ments.htm

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Positive Relationship with a Caring Adult

• Acts as an advisor, guide, and mentor.
• Helps set boundaries and expectations for young
  people.
• Could be called supporter, friend, advocate.

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Opportunity for Mastery

• Mastery is the building of knowledge, skills,
  attitudes then demonstrating the competent use
  of this knowledge skills.
• The level of mastery is dependent on the
  developmental ability of the individual.

• The development of mastery is a process over time
  and is increased with repetition.

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Engagement in Learning

• An engaged youth is one who is mindful of the
  subject area, building relationships and
  connections in order to develop understanding.

• The engaged learner has a higher degree of
  self-motivation and an inexhaustible capacity to
  create.

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Welcoming Environment

• Allows a sense of belonging to develop,
  encourages and supports its members, and offers
  encouragement with positive and specific feedback.

• Healthy groups celebrate the success of all
  members -- taking pride in the collective efforts
  of all.

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Safe Environment-Emotional Physical

• Youth should not fear physical or emotional harm
  while participating in the 4-H experience,
  whether from the learning environment itself,
  adults, other participants, or
  spectators.

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Self-Determination

• Believing that you have impact over lifes events
  rather than passively submitting to the will
  whims of others.
• Young people must foster a personal sense of
  influence over their own lives, exercising their
  potential to become self-directing, autonomous
  adults.

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Active Participant in the Future

• The ability to see oneself in the future is to
  harness the hope and optimism to shape life
  choices to facilitate the transition into
  participating in the perceived future.

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Value Practice Service

• Finding oneself begins with losing yourself in
  the service of others.

• Service is a way to gain exposure to the larger
  community world.
• It is necessary to actively practice treasure
  service.

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Research Practice Base Support for Critical
Elements

• Americas Promise
• Assets Model, Search Institute
• Safe Havens, Public/Private Ventures
• Family Youth Services Bureau
• Community Programs for Youth Development, Eccles
  Gootman

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Connection to Key Elements

• How do we ensure the key elements are part of
  4-H camping programs?

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Strategies

• What specific activities, programs, camp
  counselor training, procedures, and philosophies
  do we need to develop to deliberately include the
  eight key elements?