Kaustisen 4H-yhdistys ry

Kaustinen 4H is a nonprofit youth organization. 4H gives children and young people an opportunity to find their own strengths as well as focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and preparing young people for working life. Through a hobby we create safe and responsilble environment towards active and sustainable way of life, worklife and entrepreneurship. We want the children and young people to see extensively the possibilities in changes and to benefit from them when they are building their own work career and own life in a flexible way. Our goal is that the children participating in 4H grow up to be active, resposible and goal orientated young people. 4H supports childrens development and growth in all age groups towards sustainable way of life, worklife and entrepreneurship. Sustainable lifestyle in 4H means food education, handicrafts, sustainable relationship towards the forests and nature and encouraging towards sustainable choices. The foundation of our work is based on our values: Hands, Head, Heart ja Health. The values include the importance of continually developing your thinking, skills and physical and mental well-being. The values are represented in all of our activities. Our method of operation is ”Learning by doing”. It is based on the theory by american philosopher of education John Deweyn. Important things regarding children and young people's learning are their own experiences and a sense of community. In 4H children and young people can learn and do things in real environments. In 4H children and young people get a safe and caring environment for hobbies, time and supporting adults. We raise children and young people towards active citizenship, sustainable lifestyle and to make new experiences and to take responsibility towards entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship education has had an important focus in our operation from the beginning of the organization. Regarding these, 4H has their own model ”Three Steps to Employment”. We implement entrepreneurship education in our local oragnizations based on the ”Three steps to Employment” model. The model provides the key items for 4H: Group activities, 4H Academy, Employment and 4H enterprises. Three Steps to Employment model Group activities – skills for everyday life The most important form of group activities is the 4H club. In 4H clubs, children learn everyday life skills as well as basic entrepreneurial skills. A sustainable lifestyle is an important aspect of all 4H activities. One of the most important tools for children, youngsters and volunteer leaders alike is the continually renewed and developing TOP task bank. TOP task bank is for club leaders and professional educators, but also open for children. The abbreviation “TOP” is derived from the Finnish translation of “learning by doing”. 2. 4H Academy – skills for working life 4H Academy is a learning environment for 13-28 year olds. 4H Academy is a versatile environment where members have an opportunity to showcase their skills, for example by gaining ECTS credits and digital badges. This environment is based on the ‘learning by doing’ method. Academy is workskills, entrepreneurship, internationality, own projects and own living environment, nature and other people, volunteer work and being an influence. 3. Workplace and 4H – first working experiences Throuh 4H young people over the age of 13 can get their first experiences in work life and those who are interested in becoming 4H entrepreneurs, can learn about entrepreneurship. The organizations coach young people towards work and towards employing them resposibly. Young people can get work from 4H organization, through the organization or employ themselves by founding their own 4H organization.