December 2025 4-H Volunteer Corner: Your corner for connection, tips and tricks
Nurturing Sparks (Part 3 of 3)
Once you notice a spark, did you know you can actually help fuel it? 4-H volunteers support youth sparks by facilitating exploration through varied activities, fostering a supportive environment where questions are valued, encouraging exploration, and building relationships that empower youth to discover and develop their passions. Connecting youth with resources, mentors, or new opportunities is a great way to help fuel the spark. Other ideas for you as a 4-H volunteer include:
- Modeling curiosity: Showing your own excitement for learning and discovery can encourage youth to adopt a similar mindset.
- Showing genuine interest: Listening actively to the youth’s thoughts, opinions, and aspirations to build trust and encourage their self-expression can be powerful. Sometimes we all need a sounding board.
- Allowing for silence and space: Giving youth time to think, process information, and formulate their own ideas without the pressure of immediate answers can be helpful. Circling back to a topic after a few weeks, asking if they have given any more thought to something, or inquiring to see how you might help them with a next step, can help youth feel supported.
4-H Volunteer Huddle:
Join us for a short “gather and learn session” to help you up your game. We meet on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-12:30 pm via Zoom. Whether you are an experienced 4-H volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. We’d love to see you there! No registration required!
December 5- Delegating/Asking parents and other adults to help
January 2, 2026-Navigating 4-H Curriculum Resources
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
maine.zoom.us/j/82015703524?pwd=QkT05bDbaaDIeYAQ8aGUd4eco5c6Rd.1
Password: volunteer
4-H Volunteer Connections
January 21, 2026 Volunteer Excellence: Recognizing Achievement, Inspiring Growth
6:30-8:00pm
Connect with 4-H volunteers from states in the North East region to hear inspiring 4-H volunteer stories including those recognized through the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Award. Come celebrate success, learn from peers, and strengthen your own impact. Free to attend, but registration is required! Register here!
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar:
Find our 4-H volunteer training opportunities on our calendar of events here – scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
Resource Spotlight
Do you work with Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-8)? If so, check out these resources!
-
- We love our friends at Ohio State University for creating an amazing collection of Click and Do 4-H Cloverbud activities! All organized by themes, there’s something for everyone!
- A welcoming environment is the cornerstone to a successful 4-H club meeting. Try these Icebreakers for Cloverbuds from Michigan State University!
- Looking for some holiday craft ideas for younger youth? Check out this Holiday Activity Guide from National 4-H Council- there is even a cookie recipe collection included!