4-H Youth Development

4-H Youth Development

4-H Youth Development

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

What is 4-H?

4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension.  Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family.  Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.  

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of HeadHeartHandsand Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.

Head   Managing, Thinking

Heart   Relating, Caring

Hands   Giving, Working

Health   Being, Living

How does 4-H benefit youth?

4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:

  • Four times more likely to contribute to their communities. 
  • Two times more likely to be  civically active.
  • Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.
  • Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology  programs during out-of-school time.
  • 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.

Upcoming 4-H Events

Click the View Events button below to view upcoming 4-H events.

View Events

4-H Camp Information

Click the Learn More button below to access 4-H camp information.

Learn More

Volunteer Opportunities

Click the Learn More button below to browse volunteer opportunities.

Learn More

Elizabeth Easley

Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development

(606) 864-4167 elizabeth.easley@uky.edu Laurel County Extension Office 200 County Extension Rd., London, Kentucky 40741-9008

Kelsey Henson

Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development

(606) 864-4167 kelsey.henson@uky.edu Laurel County Extension Office 200 County Extension Rd., London, Kentucky 40741-9008

Contact Information

200 County Extension Rd. London, KY 40741-9008

(606) 864-4167

laurel.ext@uky.edu