California 4-H Vision, Mission and Core Values

Core Values

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program provides a wide variety of enrichment activities with the ultimate goal of giving youth the skills they need to thrive and succeed throughout their lives. The focus of all California 4-H programs is positive youth development through activities in STEM, healthy living, civic engagement, and leadership. All 4-H programs are accessible and open to all youth. 

1. 4-H Youth Development Program core values require that its programs are:

1. Responsive to California’s youth and families,
2. Inclusive and diverse,
3. Innovative and adaptable,
4. Accountable for actions and resources,
5. Collaborative and team focused,
6. Honest, fair and equitable,
7. Respectful of the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment, and
8. Evaluated regularly and adjusted as needed to maintain effectiveness.
   
   
1. Core Values are criteria for designing and implementing educational activities and measuring educational impacts based on the following:
   
   
1. 4-H Youth Development Program activities focus on education and meet identified UC ANR Strategic Initiatives and clientele needs.
   
   
2. 4-H Youth Development Program adult volunteers are guides to youth learning. They also respect others’ viewpoints and abilities.
   
   
3. 4-H Youth Development Program programs respond to a range of individual learning styles, abilities and backgrounds.
   
   
4. 4-H Youth Development Program educational activities are inclusive, not exclusive. Educational efforts are available to the public on an equal opportunity basis in accordance with the University of California and federal affirmative action/diversity policies; and are limited only by University of California Cooperative Extension resources.
   
   
5. 4-H Youth Development Program staff and adult volunteers emphasize experiential “learn-by-doing” methods.
   
   
6. 4-H Youth Development Program staff and adult volunteers teach new skills, validate achievement and encourage sharing of information and learning.

Read more about the California 4-H Mission and Direction (2003).