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Working with Youth. Guidelines for Master Gardener Volunteers. Virginia Cooperative Extension is organized around four main program areas:. Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Community Viability (CV). EXTENSION. 4-H Youth. FCS Families. ANR
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Working with Youth Guidelines for Master Gardener Volunteers
Virginia Cooperative Extension is organized around four main program areas: • Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) • 4-H • Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) • Community Viability (CV)
EXTENSION 4-H Youth FCS Families ANR Horticulture Youth Gardening E2 Mattey’s Garden Therapeutic Gardening Food to Table Community Garden Plant , garden, harvest, canning CDR
What is 4-H? • Youth development program of VCE • An experiential education program for boys and girls ages 5-18, which stresses learning by doing • Diversity in curriculum, delivery modes, and participants • 6 or more hours of learning within a year
The 4-H Mission “The mission of 4-H is to assist youth, and adults working with those youth, to gain additional knowledge, life skills, and attitudes that will further their development as self-directing, contributing, and productive members of society.”
Youth Gardening Objective: to increase awareness and understanding of the value of horticulture and landscaping to young people; to gain the knowledge and skills needed to conduct horticultural based activities in such a fashion as to meet the goals of the individuals and professionals ( i.e. SOL for teachers); and, to use horticulture as a tool to increase leadership and responsibility for youth. NOTE: This objective should be addressed while working in COOPERATION with the VCE 4-H
4-H Enrollment Policy • Youth completing 6 or more hours of VCE educational programming (including programs conducted by MGs such as E2, Mattey’s Garden and Therapeutic Gardening) are always enrolled in 4-H. • For shorter term programs (such as Seeds of Learning), 4-H enrollment for the youth, is not required. • Individual, Group, or Group Summary (numbers only) may be most appropriate, depending on situation.
Reporting to 4-H • Extension “counts” youth programming by Master Gardeners twice: • In local Master Gardener program • In local 4-H program • 4-H reporting is easy: • enrollment forms to 4-H agent • 4-H agent aware of project • number of hours is not required by 4-H
“Above Suspicion” Policy • When working with a group of children, at least two adults should be present at all times. • Never allow yourself to be alone (one-on-one) with someone else’s child. • Anticipate scenarios to avoid problems.
Other Youth Policies • 4-H does not work with youth below the age of 5. Volunteers working with youth under age 5 should ask their supervisor to verify that they have liability coverage for this work. • All Extension youth programs should use approved, age-appropriate curriculum. • Volunteers should set a good example for youth at all times – in language and actions. • Use of alcohol or drugs during Extension activities is prohibited (for volunteers and participants). • No physical or emotional disciplinary measures may be used with youth in Extension programs.
Suspicion of Abuse or Neglect • By law, anyone who works with children and suspects abuse or neglect has a legal responsibility to report it: 1-800-552-7096, or call Social Services in the county/city where the child lives or where the abuse/neglect occurred • Do not confront or accuse anyone. • Keep things confidential.
