POSITIVE YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT:
Seniors Serving 4-H
Young people go through a lot while growing up, and those experiences need to be
positive so they can be prepared for adulthood. University of Illinois Extension and
Illinois 4-H honors emerging research in youth and adolescent development that
indicates the need for eight “critical elements” in youth development programs to ensure
positive outcomes for participants. One of the elements that needs to be provided is:
ACTIVE
PARTICIPATION IN THE FUTURE
Youth need to feel they have a stake in their future. They need
opportunities to develop responsibility, to set goals for themselves, to be
held accountable for their decisions and actions, and to develop their
unique and individual identity. Opportunities to practice social and
leadership skills help young people develop a broad understanding of
options in life.
Here’s what you can do to help:
 Talk to a 4-H group about your career or about different jobs
you had over the years.
 Help a 4-H club arrange a trip to a city council meeting.
 Assist 4-H members in planting trees, shrubs, or flowers in
your community.
 Help 4-H members write letters to their local and state
elected officials—telling about their 4-H involvements and
about issues important to their future.
 Help your friends and 4-H members in a 4-H after-school
program establish and work on joint goals for their school
and for your community.
Why provide youth with active participation in the future?
When
we foster a belief in the future, we are providing youth with the ability to set goals, make
choices, develop their potential, and have hope for their future. They learn to adjust their
present actions based on where they see themselves later in life—they fit the pieces of
their life puzzle together so they make sense and become possible!
Want to find out more?
Contact your local county Extension office to get
involved with 4-H today!
Authors  Christine Hill (Extension Unit Educator, Youth Development, Gallatin/Pope-Hardin/Saline Unit) 
Steve Wagoner (Extension Educator, Youth Development, Edwardsville Center) 
Eric Werge (Extension Educator, Youth Development, Chicago Center)  2005
University of Illinois  U.S. Dept. of Agriculture  Local Extension Councils Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.