School Enrichment

4-H School Enrichment and After School Enrichment Programs

Did you know...? 

Almost every school district Delaware County has participated in a 4-H program in the past thirty years.  Here's what Delaware County educators and their students have had to say about 4-H projects.

"Great programs! Very organized.”

“…an experience they will always remember”.

 “The children were more focused than I’d ever seen them.”

“Some of the toughest kids showed compassion and gentleness. The program allows my emotional support students the opportunity to show nurturing, responsibility and gentleness.”

“Our camp is based on expanding the horizons of the Chester youth so they have more information with which to make decisions.  Health and nutrition are an important part of the program; so being able to see where food comes from goes a long way in helping them determine the healthier choice when faced with a chicken breast and a chicken nugget.”

 “The embryology project taught … responsibility, …..compassion for living things, …sensitivity to the demands of parenthood.”

"I'm a homeschooling parent and the embryology project was so much fun! My children really gained a wealth of knowledge with this experience!"

4-H school projects are geared for classroom, home education or after school use by elementary, middle, and high school students in a variety of settings. Teacher or parent volunteers provide a unique, fun, hands-on learning experience for students. Penn State Extension staff  provide teacher/leader training and 4-H project books.
Browse through our 4-H school programs and choose a program that fits into your curriculum or can be used to enhance your school or home school's curriculum or youth program. Share the information with appropriate teachers, counselors, home educators and home and school associations. All of our material is easily adaptable to most situations. If you would like to examine the actual project materials further, please contact Juli Anderson (jia3@psu.edu).

Many 4-H projects support Pennsylvania and National Academic Standards in science, environmental education, health, safety and physical education, and family and consumer sciences.

Training is available if you need it, by appointment in selected program areas. At that time you will learn how to present the material and pick up your supplies. Student enrollment sheets must be handed in with any fees paid prior to receiving your supplies. If you have taken a project before or do not need training, we will arrange for you to get your supplies upon completion of the enrollment forms and payment of fees.

Many teachers have asked us why the enrollment form is required. Your enrollment form provides the documentation that USDA requires of all 4-H programs, in order to ensure that we are making all reasonable efforts to reach out to all youth in the county. (Did you know that 4-H is the official youth organization of USDA and that it is the largest youth organization in the country?) Also, the enrollment forms provide us with the documentation needed to assure us of continued funding. This is how we are able to make 4-H programs available to you for a small materials fee per classroom.

We are looking forward to working with you to make your days easier, your curriculum vital and your lessons engaging. Have a terrific year!

Juli Anderson, 4-H Program Assistant

Exploring Farm Animals is designed to help K-3 youth learn about how animals provide us with food, clothing, medicines and many other products important to our daily lives.

Using Acres of Adventures, kids in 3rd-5th grades can make ice cream in a bag, home-made play dough, bread in a bag, paper from recycled products and more. Over 80 hands-on science activities.

Reading Makes Cents guides youth in exploring ideas, activities and strategies that help them earn and save money. Designed to appeal to children in grades 3-5, Reading Makes Cents uses literature to provide a rich diversity of settings, people, income levels, relationships, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and religions all related to money messages and learning.

Food, Culture and Reading is a nutrition education program targeted to youth in grades four to six. It uses literature to learn about food, nutrition, healthy living, and different cultures. Youth will be able to recognize a variety of healthful foods, taste new foods from other cultures and develop an understanding and appreciation of cultures that are different from their own.

Que Rico is a Latin Culture project. Youth will discover the Latino culture as they develop an understanding of the Latino people and their traditional art forms through the experience of instrument making, jewelry making, weaving, muraling and mask making. Appeals to a wide range of ages. 

Up for the Challenge: Lifetime Fitness, Healthy Decisions: A fitness, nutrition and health curriculum for K-12. The 290- page curriculum is divided into five chapters with each chapter containing multiple lessons in physical activity, nutrition and healthy decision making. Lessons range in scope and length from 30-60 minute nutrition lessons and/or physical activities to a multi-week wellness event.

Treasures of 4-H: Designed to introduce youth in grades 2-4 to the world of 4-H, using an “exploration” theme and a variety of short hands-on activities in the following areas: citizenship, communication and expressive arts; consumer and family sciences; environmental education and earth sciences; healthy lifestyles; personal development and leadership; plants and animals; and science and technology.

Diversity Activities for Youth and Adults: Hands-on activities to help participants become more aware of their own cultural viewpoints and accept and respect the differences and similarities in people. Easily adaptable for all ages.