Program Areas

Mind: Social and Emotional Well-Being 

4‑H’s Healthy Living programs provide youth with a better understanding of how their choices can help themselves, their families, and their communities. With programs focused on issues such as  substance abuse prevention and mental health, 4‑H helps youth build a firm foundation that encourages good decision-making and strong interpersonal skills.  Social-emotional health is the cornerstone to confident, caring young leaders who understand how to take care of their minds and inner being, which is key to holistic well-being.

Body: Fitness, Health, Nutrition and Safety

4‑H fitness, health, nutrition, and safety programs help youth understand the importance of eating right, and being active within a safe environment. Mastering basic health principles places young people on the right track to developing healthy habits now as well as managing their long-term health.

Teen Mentorship and Leadership 

4‑H Healthy Living programs empower youth to be teachers by growing their leadership skills and serving as champions of health in their communities. Teens as Teachers is an experiential learning model delivering research-based information supported by adult mentors and applying skills and knowledge to initiate change in behaviors for themselves, their families and peers.

Featured Healthy Living Programs

National Youth Summit on Healthy Living

National Youth Summit on Healthy Living

The National Youth Summit on Healthy Living brings together teen leaders from across the country to develop leadership capacity in healthy living and work on solving healthy living issues impacting our homes, our community and our economy.
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4‑H Food Smart Families

4‑H Food Smart Families

Food Smart Families targets families eligible for or receiving SNAP and/or WIC benefits and teaches them how to plan, shop and prepare healthy meals on a budget. Instructors teach participants cooking skills and basic nutrition facts using a variety of commonly available foods.
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4‑H Healthy Habits

4‑H Healthy Habits

4-H Healthy Habits supports communities across the nation by promoting healthy living among youth and their families. Through this innovative and culturally-relevant program, kids build healthy habits with a core focus on nutrition and food preparation skills. 4-H Healthy Habits is driven by Teen Healthy Living ambassadors who assist in delivering evidence-based programming to younger youth.
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4‑H Health Rocks!®

4‑H Health Rocks!®

Health Rocks!® is a series of curricula with the goal of bringing youth, families, and communities across the United States together to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use by youth. Program goals include reducing youth smoking and tobacco use, helping youth build life and decision-making skills, and helping youth understand the consequences of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
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Featured Healthy Living Supporter

Walmart Foundation

Since 2012, 4-H and the Walmart Foundation have partnered to reach a million youth with nutrition education and physical activity, with an intentional focus on populations who face challenges in achieving positive health outcomes.

Healthy Living Research

Teens Taking the Lead on Health

From obesity to mental health, teens face many challenges that impact their health and well-being today and for years to come. 4‑H believes in the power of young people to lead positive health outcomes in their lives and communities. Check out the infographic on the state of youth health in America.
See the Infographic

Inspire Kids to Do

Get the 4‑H Inspire Kids to Do Activity Guide with 60 inspirational activities to help your kids grow into True Leaders.

Download now and you’ll also receive our Inspire to Do list with 30 more activities for your kid!

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Donate to 4-H

Support 4‑H youth and help us reach more kids with the hands-on learning experiences they deserve in life and career.

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Shop 4-H Healthy Living Curriculum

From food science to fitness, Shop 4‑H offers a variety of healthy living curriculum.

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