How Much Is Enough? Dosage and Duration in 4-H Developmental Contexts

While research abounds on the outcomes of out-of-school time programs for youth, most studies focus on programs with similar profiles or within the same program category, leaving a notable gap in examining youth experiences across programs with different delivery modes. The current research investigated the perceived experiences of youth in two programs, 4-H community clubs and 4-H camps. Using the 4-H Thriving Model, the study assessed perceptions of the programs’ developmental contexts on three program elements including youth sparks, sense of belonging, and relationships with adults. Data for the study was collected through surveys conducted in 2019 among 4-H community club and 4-H camp participants aged 13-17 in Illinois. Results suggest that 4-H community club participants had higher perceptions of their programs in all aspects of the developmental context when compared to 4-H camp participants. Some differences in the three program elements existed for years of 4-H participation, gender and race/ethnicity. This study informs youth development program designers, practitioners, and researchers about different program influences on youth experiences. It helps enhance program design and implementation, improving youth participants’ outcomes.