A longitudinal study of 4-H by Tufts University revealed young people involved in 4-H programs have a consistently higher level of positive youth development, contributions to their community, and increased life skills. “The results of this longitudinal study continually reinforce the idea that when youth participate in programs such as 4-H, they thrive in numerous ways including health, positive development, and community contribution,” said Dr. Richard Lerner.

One particular 4-H’er has illustrated how being introduced to karate for the first time at 4-H Camp when he was 10 has helped him to thrive.  His grandfather shared that the 4-H Camp karate class sparked an intense interest in martial arts.  He began taking karate lessons soon after he returned from 4-H Camp.  At age 14 he become a black belt and traveled all over the United States to karate competitions.  Fast forward to 2020, this young man has graduated high school and won a National NROTC Scholarship which is a competitive national scholarship.  He will receive full college tuition, books stipend, educational fees and other financial entitlements.  His family believes that being a black belt in karate was a major factor because they told him they had never had a black belt in the program. To quote his grandfather, “It’s all because of 4-H camp and the karate class Sam took there; it lit a fire in him.”