4-H is Learning by Doing

The Warm Springs 4-H Youth Development Program has been helping youth “learn by doing” on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation for 50 years.  Through a partnership with the Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs and Oregon State University Extension, volunteers in the community and staff/faculty of the university and tribes work together to bring programs to youth that help them gain skills and new knowledge. 

The program helps young people from grades K-12 to learn leadership skills, connect with the culture, and gain skills and knowledge to help them be successful in school and as adults and community members. 

We offer 4-H clubs and projects and afterschool programs, as well as summer family culture camp in partnership with the tribes’ Culture and Heritage Department. 

Youth Advisory "Kouncil"

4-H is also one of two organizations hosting the newly formed Warm Springs “Youth Advisory Kouncil” (YAK); a group of youth who meet regularly to provide a voice for youth in helping to make a difference in their community.  The YAK is open to middle and high school students living on the Warm Spring Indian Reservation.  Meetings are at least twice monthly through the school year, usually at the 4-H office in the Education Building in Warm Springs.  

Warm Springs 4-H youth Development Programs is based on the research on “Positive Youth Development” that attempts to build the “C’s”for youth:  - Character (morals, sense of responsibility to others)-Confidence (belief in themselves)-Caring (about others)-Connection (with the community and family)-Competence (skills) These attributes add up to a sixth “C” ---Contribution.  (Making positive contributions to the community and things outside themselves).   An important additional "C" at Warm Springs is Culture.

4-H Geoteam

Warm Springs students in grades 6-12 can join the new Warm Springs 4-H Geoteam: a group of youth who learn computerized mapping (called Geographic Information Systems) and learn how to make maps.  The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays after school.

Robotics Lego League

This 4-H afterschool club learns how to build and program robots and solve real-life science and engineering tasks.  This fall, the club will prepare for Lego Robotics tournaments.  It meets every Tuesday afterschool in the Education Building at Warm Springs.

 To get involved:
Any youth living in Warm Springs from Kindergarten to Grade 12 can join 4-H.  It’s easy to enroll and it’s free.  All is needed is to complete a membership form and a health form with a parent/guardian signature, and then listen to KWSO for information on upcoming events or check this website for updated information, or read the OSU Extension newsletter. 

 Adults: Do you have something you want to share with youth?
Adult volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program. You can volunteer to start a 4-H club, or to help the 4-H staff on events we organize.  Or, if you have something you want to share with youth, but don’t want to make a long commitment, you can let us know!  We can schedule a one-time event.  Whatever your idea is, contact us and we will help you set it up.  For more information about becoming a 4-H volunteer, call Shawn at 541-553-3238.