4-H Youth Development

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Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development programs connect youth to the resources of Cornell University and the land-grant system, strengthening the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.

Activities and events inspire and shape youth, give them opportunities to master skills, enrich their knowledge, and work with others who can positively influence them.

To become involved in 4-H, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office.

An Extension educator working with the 4-H Youth Development program will guide you and your child to 4-H opportunities in your area. There are 4-H clubs, after-school activities, school enrichment projects, camps or events in every county for youth, ages 5 to 19. 4-H also serves military families in a variety of ways with Operation Military Kids.

For more information visit: NYS 4-H Youth website

Program Highlight

Schuyler County 4-H is partnering with GST BOCES 21st Century Learning communities to offer 4-H Afterschool the program, Explore Science, Engineering and Technology, which helps middle school students gain awareness, excitement and science related skills.

Selected Resources and Activities

Cooking Up Fun

Cooking Up Fun is an integrated nutrition, youth development program designed to help youth aged 9 to 14 (grades 4 to 9) acquire independent food skills.

Fiber Science & Apparel Design Programs for Youth

A variety of textile-related programs for youth, K-12 emphasizing science exploration, skill building, and community service.

Early Childhood

Promoting better understanding, policies, and practices regarding young children and their families.

Thinking Like a Scientist

Thinking Like a Scientist is an educational outreach program for traditionally underrepresented youth, designed to increase their interest and participation in science by teaching them how to reason scientifically about problems in daily life.

ACT for Youth Center of Excellence

The ACT for Youth Center of Excellence is a partnership between Cornell University Family Life Development Center, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of New York City, NYS Center for School Safety and the University of Rochester Medical Center.

ACT Youth Network

The ACT Youth Network seeks to promote youth voice in NYS with a focus on health and youth leadership in New York State. It is sponsored by the ACT for Youth Center of Excellence.

The Advancing Youth Development (AYD) Partnership

The AYD Partnership offers professional development for youth workers in New York State. Staff from a variety of youth serving organizations are recruited, trained, and then supported to provide AYD training in their home counties or regions. AYD's on-line resources include tools such as facilitator tips, a program planning guide, newsletters, and a selection of trusted websites on youth development.

Risky Decision Making in Adolescents

Recent research shows that teens make bad decisions not because they think they are invulnerable or haven't thought about the risks. This website links to articles and additional information on research and the implications for theory, practice and public policy.

Adolescents and Risk: Helping Young People Make Better Choices

is a new publication which explores how adolescents consider risk and offers suggestions for new intervention strategies. (2008)

Self-Injurious Behavior

This site summarizes Cornell's research on self-injurious behavior and provides links and resources for information on detecting,treating, and preventing self-injurious behavior (SIB) in adolescents and young adults.

Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR)

The CYFAR Program provides community-based programs for at-risk children and their families through collaboration of the Land-Grant and Cooperative Extension Systems. On-line resources include extensive publications and program materials.

Children, Youth, and Families Education and Research Network (CYFERnet)

CYFERnet's website brings together the children, youth and family resources of the public land-grant universities, providing a source of relaible, high quality, research-based publications and program materials.