The study reported here measured the impact that the 4-H Youth Development experience has had on Colorado's young people. 4-H Youth Development programs must demonstrate their effectiveness with sound data to enhance the rich anecdotal information more easily available. Data were collected from 5th, 7th, and 9th grade students in Colorado. Results confirm that 4-H Youth Development members had higher grades, were more likely to help others, had better relationships with adults, were glad to be who they are, and had a significantly more positive outlook on life and the world around them than did non-4-H Youth Development members.
Goodwin et al. (Mon,) studied this question.