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California State 4-H Best Practices
Best Practices are not policies, however you may be confronted with the following situations. As a way to help you think about how to comply with policies, the following scenarios were developed...
- Private Conversations
- A Youth is Left Behind at a Meeting
- Camping Experiences
- Restroom Use
- Creating Positive Environments
1) Private Conversations
- When speaking privately to a youth, do it within view of another adult
- One-on-one activities between adults and youth are not permitted
- Speak to a youth in the corner of the room, with other members and adults present
- Keep doors open when speaking with a youth, so that others may see you
| Scenario One |
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A child is disruptive during a project meeting. You do not want to embarrass the child so you take her to another room to be reprimanded. You leave your assistant alone with the remainder of the group. What should you do next time this happens? Double click the correct answer below.
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2) A Youth is Left Behind at a Meeting
- Ask a parent to stay with you until the youth member's parent or guardian arrives
- Ask a staff member to stay with you
- Encourage each youth to have back-up transportation ahead of time
| Scenario Two |
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A project meeting has adjourned. A parent for one 4-H member has not arrived and all the other 4-H members have left the location. Is it okay for you to offer this young person a ride home? Double click the correct answer below.
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3) Camping Experiences
- Two volunteers of the same gender as the youth should share cabin spaces
- If the camp's sleeping area is in an open space -- not inside a tent -- and is clearly visible to all, there is no conflict with policy
- Adult leadership needs to respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing into swimsuits or taking showers at camp and intrude only to the extent that health and safety requires. They also need to protect their own privacy in similar situations.
- Camp Directors may use one adult and one older teen to supervise sleep in cabins
| Scenario A |
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A child is homesick on a trip and wants to sleep in your tent. What should you do? Double click the correct answer below.
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| Scenario B |
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You are the 4-H Camp Director for an overnight camp. The cabins sleep twelve. Separate cabins are provided for each gender. In years past, one adult volunteer or staff member sleeps (in a separate bed) in each cabin with the 4-H campters. Volunteers are concerned that, if the adults sleep in cabins separate from the youth, the youth may be tempted to break camp rules (lights out, quiet time, visits by the opposite sex, etc.) . What should you do? Double click the correct answer below.
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4) Restroom Use
- Shower facility monitors are recommended
- A buddy system (three buddies) among youth member should be maintained for restroom use
- Adults should shower either before or after the youths have showered
| Scenario Four |
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A 4-H member is in a public place like a horse show or county fair. They need to be excused to use the restroom. What should you do? Double click the correct answer below.
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5) Creating Positive Environments
- Use compliments when appropriate
- Clarify group expectations of appropriate behavior
- Redirect Activities
- Model expected behavoirs
- Provide time for reflection
| Scenario Five |
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I create positive environments by:
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You must now complete the "Best Practices" Quiz |