Florida 4-H Volunteer Training Series: Learn by Doing + a Little Bit More

Karen Henry, Claire Davis, Melinda Souers, Paula Davis, Heather Kent, andCandi Dierenfield

Release Date: 3/22/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-4H243-2026

4-H Youth Development

Abstract

This is one publication in the Florida 4-H Volunteer Training Series, which prepares 4-H volunteers to apply positive youth development best practices. “Learn by doing” is a common phrase used by staff and volunteers to explain how 4-H youth development teaches life skills. Experiential Learning has been proven to be an effective way to engage youth in the learning process. This publication provides volunteers with tools to help them apply the experiential learning model and outlines the steps volunteers can take to ensure that youth are able to apply what they have learned to new situations.

About this Publication

This document is 4HSFS101.1, one of a series of the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, UF/IFAS Extension. Most recent revision March 2026. Originally published as "Using an Experiential Model in 4-H" by Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan in 2006 and revised in 2019. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

How to Cite

Henry, K., Davis, C., Souers, M., Davis, P., Kent, H., & Dierenfield, C. (2026). Florida 4-H Volunteer Training Series: Learn by Doing + a Little Bit More. EDIS, 2026(2). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-4h243-2026