Healthy Living
4-H helps keep Idaho strong. Our health allows us to take care of ourselves and our communities. Healthy living programs teach youth to lead lives that balance physical, mental and emotional health.
But not everyone has the same needs. That’s why 4-H has many ways to do healthy living.
Healthy Club Challenge
The Idaho 4-H Healthy Club Challenge helps clubs run short activities at each meeting. It also offers healthy snacks and drinks for members. Check with your UI Extension office to see if your county is part of the Healthy Club Challenge.
Food Smart Families
4-H partners with Eat Smart Idaho to deliver Food Smart Families to low-income Idahoans. UI Extension nutrition educators, college interns and trained teens team up to teach healthy living.
C-A-R Chat — Communication, Awareness and Respect
C-A-R Chat activities are designed to be used with children and middle school students. These quick (5-10 minutes) activities teach kids:
- Communication strategies
- How to be aware of their needs
- How to respect themselves and others
Teen advocates have used the activities at county day camps, volunteer leader forum, and presented at the National Youth Healthy Living Summit in 2018. C-A-R Chat Activities (PDF) are easy to use by both teen leaders and volunteers.
Teen Advocates for Healthy Living
Teen Advocates for Healthy Living work with faculty and staff to implement the 4-H Healthy Living program including teaching Food Smart Families in their communities. Teens learn nutrition, food preparation, cooking and shopping skills, along with social-emotional activities.
Teen advocates:
- Receive training on the best healthy living strategies
- Volunteer within the community and county, promoting healthy living — nutrition and emotional well-being
- Gain excellent leadership experience for college application and future jobs
- Have the opportunity to attend the National Youth Summit on Healthy Living each year
- Teen Advocates for Healthy Living Program Flyer (PDF)
- 2020-21 Teen Advocates Application (PDF)
- 2020-21 Teen Advocates Application (Word)
For application questions please contact Maureen Toomey. Applications are due Jan. 21, 2021
Community Gardens
4-H joins with many communities to work on gardens. Speak with your UI Extension office to find out about the Junior Master Gardener Program and if there are Master Gardeners willing to coach your group.