4-H Community Service Project

group of 4-H youth participating in a blanket-making workshop

We love to hear about “random acts of kindness” and times when people “pay it forward.” What can you do to serve in your community? Find out in the 4-H community service project! In this project you will learn about your community and use your skills to help improve it. You can serve in your school, neighborhood, town, or your whole country!

Ages and Stages of Youth Development

Beginners

Begin the project by understanding that community service is volunteering and assisting in a particular area whether that is helping people or the environment. Beginner community service projects should be simple and obtainable.

Juniors

As youth become older, they will identify community service project areas of need in their community and set goals on how to aid in that area. These projects generally will involve more planning and organizing on behalf of the youth.

Seniors

Continue to build upon years of experience and lead a community service project from beginning to end. See the benefits of engaging in your community and country while valuing diversity and teamwork.

4-H Programming Priorities

Leadership

Youth can volunteer with projects they are passionate about and lead club projects. They can identify areas of need in the community and plan projects accordingly.

Health & Wellness

Community service has many personal benefits. Participating in it gives youth the opportunity to know that they are improving someone’s life and their community.

Science

Many community service projects involve caring for the environment. Clubs can adopt a stream or a ditch along a highway to keep clear of trash and debris.

Agriculture

Community supported agriculture is growing across the nation. A local harvest or community garden is a great place to volunteer and provide assistance.

Get Involved

two green conversation bubbles

Youth Voice

  • Project “Why” speech on recycling
  • Illustrated talk on service projects your 4-H club has done
  • Demonstrate making a blanket to be donated
3 green outlines of hands

Community Service

  • Community service possibilities are endless
  • 4-H youth can give their time or donate materials and can work with other members on a project
green puzzle pieces

Career Connections

  • Community health nurse
  • Counselor
  • Social worker
  • Teacher
  • Librarian
  • Camp director

Exhibit Ideas

  • Make recycling bins for your classroom or home
  • Create a care kit that can be given to a local shelter
  • Design a poster listing your 4-H club’s community service
  • Make a poster explaining how others can get involved in a particular area

Learning Resources

National 4-H Curriculum

Related Topics

4-H Projects, 4-H Civic Engagement & Community Service Project

Related Content

Youth judging fruits, vegetable and plants

4-H Bounty

4-H Bounty is a monthly club guide that focuses on leadership activities, community service, youth-in-action and specific project areas, as well as prepares youth and their families for county and state events.

4-H Capitol Day participants stand at the S.D. Capitol building steps with S.D. Senators and Representatives and university personnel.

South Dakota 4-H Gathers for 2022 4-H Capitol Day

April 28, 2022

The day included opportunities for 57 4-H attendees to engage in town hall sessions with legislators, view committee meetings, partake in a self-guided tour of the capitol building, and watch the general session of each chamber.

Hilary Risner and Caroline Hansen accepting the Citizenship in 4-H Youth Development national award.

South Dakota 4-H Legislature Wins National Award

February 15, 2022

For their efforts in creating the state’s first 4-H Legislature, the South Dakota 4-H Legislature Program committee received the Citizenship in 4-H Youth Development national award.