4-Hers volunteering to paint a wall

Hands-on: The many benefits of volunteering!

April 08, 2022 Written by Jill Jackson, Extension Education - 4-H Youth Development

According to National 4‑H Council, civic engagement programs empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. 4-H members take part in a variety of civic activities through participation in club, county, state and national events. 

Members learn how easy it can be to help others while having fun and gaining important life skills. Here are ways volunteering can benefit youth:

 

Make a Difference

Volunteering can help young people make a positive impact on their community and other people.

 

Learn New Skills

Volunteering can help people learn skills and get hands-on experiences that could help them in the future.

 

Gain Self-Confidence

By volunteering, youth can feel confident that their efforts of helping and communicating with others are making a positive impact.

 

Meet New People

Volunteering can help youth be exposed to a diverse group of people of all ages. These new relationships can lead to new friendships and mentors.

 

Achieve Goals

Youth can challenge themselves to meet personal goals and might even uncover hidden talents

 

Have Fun

Youth will find that many types of volunteer activities can be very enjoyable

 

No matter where and when youth volunteer, they will learn new skills and enjoy their time helping a variety of people. For community service ideas and opportunities for your 4-H member, please visit the volunteering page on the Delaware 4-H website.


Related News

  • Peep into learning

    June 25, 2025 | Written by Michele Walfred
    Delaware’s 4-H Embryology Program brings baby chicks all across Delaware classrooms, libraries, afterschool programs and other locations as part of an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The program has delighted thousands of students for years, imprinting upon young minds a memorable experience of nature and science. The impact is powerful, reaching 42,000 participants in the past five years.
  • Lose the lawn, for Earth’s sake

    June 20, 2025 | Written By Kathleen M. Doyle Kent County Master Gardener
    Lawns are the most irrigated “crop” in the U.S, covering approximately 40 million acres of land — twice as much as our national parks. They provide no nourishment to any species (except Japanese beetles), and they degrade the soil and watershed due to their shallow roots and the chemicals property owners use to kill weeds and insects and to maintain the color. While patches of lawn are useful for children and pets, most homeowners blanket their property with turf. The impact of this monoculture of lawn devastates the environment.
  • Drought Damage, Disease, or Both?

    June 11, 2025 | Written by: Tracy Wootten, Sussex County Horticulture Agent and Jill Pollok, UD Plant Diagnostician with Delaware Cooperative Extension
    Many on Delmarva are seeing damage to trees and shrubs from the severe drought we experienced in 2024. Evergreens used for windbreaks and screening on poultry farms are no exception. Jill Pollok, University of Delaware Plant Diagnostician, shares items that we can expect in 2025 after the drought:
View all news

Events