Research has shown that spending time in nature can decrease stress, lower blood pressure, enhance the immune system, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, improve and calm our mood, and reduce feelings of isolation. Practicing mindfulness has similar benefits and improves focus and concentration. This activity will allow youth to get active and explore the outdoors while being more mindful of the present moment, breathing, and noticing the world around them with their five senses.

Congratulations! Iowa 4-H is proud of you for stepping into a club leadership position! As a 4-H club officer, you represent the 4-H Program—both in and out of your 4-H activities. Your fellow 4-H members will look up to you as you use your skills and abilities to lead with dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm. This guide will provide tips for effective leadership, a checklist for your role's tasks, and instructions on some of your most important officer duties.

For more information, please visit our club officer resources webpage.

Previously known as 4H 71G

On Their Own & OK builds skills in youth, and incorporates ways for adults in the home to support this step towards independence. Youth can develop their self-care skills to make good decisions while staying home alone. With adequate education from parents, teachers, and community partners, young people can develop confidence in the skills they need for staying home alone safely.

On Their Own & OK reinforces how to act in an emergency, helps young people handle boredom without technology, recommends age-appropriate chores, and includes plans for a family celebration to continue to strengthen family relationships.

Youth-serving organizations in Iowa are encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities in administering this program.

On Their Own & OK builds skills in youth, and incorporates ways for adults in the home to support this step towards independence. Youth can develop their self-care skills to make good decisions while staying home alone. With adequate education from parents, teachers, and community partners, young people can develop confidence in the skills they need for staying home alone safely.

On Their Own & OK reinforces how to act in an emergency, helps young people handle boredom without technology, recommends age-appropriate chores, and includes plans for a family celebration to continue to strengthen family relationships.

This guide is for youth participants. To print, choose "booklet" from the page size and handling section of your print window. Print on both sides. Will print on 8.5 x 11 paper to be folded in half for a finished size of 8.5 x 5.5.

Youth-serving organizations in Iowa are encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities in administering this program.

On Their Own & OK builds skills in youth, and incorporates ways for adults in the home to support this step towards independence. Youth can develop their self-care skills to make good decisions while staying home alone. With adequate education from parents, teachers, and community partners, young people can develop confidence in the skills they need for staying home alone safely.

On Their Own & OK reinforces how to act in an emergency, helps young people handle boredom without technology, recommends age-appropriate chores, and includes plans for a family celebration to continue to strengthen family relationships.

This guide is for the parents, guardians, or families of participants.

Youth-serving organizations in Iowa are encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities in administering this program.

Mindful Teen: From Surviving to THRIVING! is a six-lesson workshop series for youth in grades 7-12 based on the book The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time by Dr. Dzung Vo, an Adolescent Medicine Specialist at British Columbia Children’s Hospital.

This interactive journal is for trained 4-H facilitators to print or purchase for participating youth, to accompany The Mindful Teen book and lessons. More information on Mindful Teen is available for Iowa 4-H staff in myExtension.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue focuses on using breathing techniques to calm anxiety.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue focuses on dealing with grief and loss.

Mindful Teen: From Surviving to THRIVING! is a six-lesson workshop series for youth in grades 7-12 based on the book The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time by Dr. Dzung Vo. The program can be implemented both in-person or virtually, empowering youth and equipping them with practical strategies and mindful practices to manage stress, difficult emotions, and improve and support their overall well-being.

Iowa 4-H Youth program staff should work with the Healthy Living priority area team to receive training prior to administering this program.

Youth-serving organizations and volunteers in Iowa will be encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities and curriculum training for administering this program.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue focuses on what to do when you feel lonely.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue focuses on how to manage your emotions and feelings.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue focuses on how to focus on healthy relationships to avoid the negative impacts of unhealthy relationships.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

Chances are at some point you will experience a time where you struggle with how you are feeling or thinking. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 5 youth struggles with mental, emotional, or behavior problems. It’s important to learn how to ask for help when you are struggling. This publication will provide some guidance.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue offers an activity to practice focusing your mind.

The Mental Health Matters! publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.

4-H staff or other youth-serving organizations can use these in their newsletters, club meetings, or workshops.

This publication issue provides strategies on motivating yourself when you feel stuck.

Mindful Teen: From Surviving to THRIVING! is a six-lesson workshop series for youth in grades 7-12 based on the book The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time by Dr. Dzung Vo. The program can be implemented both in-person or virtually, empowering youth and equipping them with practical strategies and mindful practices to manage stress, difficult emotions, and improve and support their overall well-being.

Iowa 4-H Youth program staff should work with the Healthy Living priority area team to receive training prior to administering this program.

Youth-serving organizations and volunteers in Iowa will be encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities and curriculum training for administering this program. Printed copies of this guide will be provided to facilitators at training sessions.

When we understand our emotions and learn to be mindful of the way our body feels as we experience emotions, we equip ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves! This short activity will give you a new tool to add to your mindfulness toolbox: a calming glitter jar. Keep the jar nearby to help you stay calm and mindful throughout the day.

These To Go Lessons can be used to create a "grab and go" style activity with supplies included. Add your local contact information, print, and cut each sheet in half. The left side can be used on the outside of the paper bag or box to identify the activity, and the right side can be placed in the package as an instruction sheet.

Youth-serving organizations in Iowa are encouraged to contact their local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office to explore partnership opportunities in administering this program.

This learning experience will introduce young people to virtual clothing shopping options for personal use or the $15 Challenge. Young people will learn about a tool to use to shop for their $15 Challenge exhibit.

Introduce youth to the importance of physical activity and lifelong fitness through a short bingo game activity.

Physical fitness is important for overall health. We take care of our pets, our rooms, and our belongings– we also need to take care of our bodies! Not only will exercise keep you fit and strong, but it also puts you in a good mood, improves your overall health, and helps you live longer. We don’t all need to be star athletes to be healthy – just keep our bodies moving for 60 minutes per day!

This 4-H project is designed to help you explore the world of child development. From discovering how children develop, creating safe places to grow, to learning leadership skills, you are bound to love all the opportunities available with child development projects!

Use the consumer management project to get more bang for your buck! Find out how to use your money to get the things you want and need.

From treating bug bites to finding safe playgrounds to starting a kids walk to school program, the 4-H health project area helps you explore health and wellness in your personal life as well as your home, club, community, country, and world.

Do you like being outdoors? You can become the ultimate explorer by designing an outdoor adventure! Choose from backpacking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, or hiking to create an adventure in the outdoors.