These resources include easy‑to‑use, research‑based curricula and tools that focus on leadership, resilience, communication, and social‑emotional learning for military‑connected youth. Materials are designed for 4‑H professionals, volunteers, and educators and can be adapted for a variety of military or other youth program settings.
Resources Available for Free Download
This collection includes some of the most commonly downloaded curricula based on what we have learned from user engagement:
The curriculum offers an in‑depth overview of the core competencies required to work effectively with young people in out‑of‑school time settings. It introduces essential skills and best practices that promote positive youth development, safe and supportive learning environments, and meaningful youth engagement. Today, the curriculum remains a cornerstone resource for youth development professionals and volunteers working with children and youth.
Note the CD is no longer available; however the slidedeck and some handouts are available by contacting a member of the K-State 4-HMPOS team.
This curricula is currently under revision by North Carolina State University's CYFAR team, with an updated edition expected to be release by Fall 2026.
Each lesson includes clearly defined youth outcomes, essential instructor background information, preparation guidance, required supplies, estimated lesson time, participant handouts, and opportunities for reflection. Together, these components support engaging, developmentally appropriate programming that promotes lifelong healthy habits among youth.
Other 4‑HMP Curricula, Lessons, and Activity Sheets
This resource is specifically designed to support the development of day, specialty, residential, and adventure camp programs. The materials address key components of program planning, preparation, and implementation for camping experiences serving youth ages 5–18. The resource is currently under revision, with an updated edition expected to be released in fall 2026.
Helping staff become familiar with 4‑H curriculum is a critical component of project success. Project Training Topics offer staff hands‑on learning experiences by focusing on a specific activity or content area, and Express Guides provide a broad overview of a 4‑H project. These Guides were developed by the 4-HMP in 2011.
To learn more about these tools, click the link below to download the Overview as a PDF document:
Project Training Topics
Each Training Topic follows a consistent outline to support ease of use and effective facilitation. The opening section includes the project name, background information, required resources and materials, and preparation time. The remainder of the outline is organized into programming sections that provide guidance on What to Do, What to Say, and the estimated time for each segment.
Training Topics are intended for use during a staff meeting or training day and typically requires 30–40 minutes to complete. Multiple topics may be linked together to create a more comprehensive training experience, particularly for foundational concepts such as curriculum introduction, the Essential Elements of 4‑H, or the Experiential Learning Model. The "What to Say" sections serve as facilitation guides and are not intended to be followed word‑for‑word.
Although individual Training Topics may vary slightly, most include the following components: welcome and introductions, curriculum overview, staff introductions, hands‑on activities, group discussion and idea sharing, applying the experience, action planning, and closing. All Training Topics are designed to follow the Experiential Learning Model, allowing staff to participate in an activity, reflect on the experience, and plan how to apply the curriculum with children and youth in their programs.
All links below provide immediate access to downloadable PDF documents.
Express Guides
When a Training Topic is tied to a specific 4‑H project, a corresponding Express Guide is also available. The Express Guides provide additional detail on the project, the Experiential Learning Model, and the 4‑H Life Skills framework. Whenever possible, these models should be incorporated into training to build staff familiarity and confidence in their use.
All links below provide immediate access to downloadable PDF documents.
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- Aerospace Adventures
- Bicycle Adventures
- Communications - Express Yourself
- Computer Power Unlimited (CPU)
- Consumer Savvy
- Down to Earth Enriching Learning Through Gardening
- Entrepreneurship, B the "e"
- Exploring Spaces, Going Places - GPS
- Exploring the Treasures of 4-H
- Fantastic Foods Curriculum
- Financial Champions
- Get in the Act! - Workforce Readiness
- Health and Fitness
- Insectaganza of Excitement
- Microwave Magic
- Outdoor Adventures
- A Palette of Fun with Arts and Crafts
- Photo Kids
- The Power of Wind
- Project Butterfly Wings
- Reading Makes Cents
- Science Discovery Series 1 and 2
- Service Learning: Voices Special Opps
- Step Up to Leadership
- Theatre Arts, Imagination in Action
- Visual Arts and Crafts
- Woodworking Wonders
This 2010 resource served as a comprehensive guide for Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) personnel in the planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of camp programs. While the guide emphasizes the more complex demands of residential and multi‑day camps, many of its components are also applicable to the planning and management of day‑camp programs.
As a 4‑H volunteer project leader, you help young people build not only skills, but also strong character. Character development is shaped through intentional role modeling, discussion, and practice. While parents play the primary role, all adults working with youth have an important responsibility to reinforce positive values.
CHARACTER COUNTS! is built on the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Integrating this framework enriches 4‑H programming by helping youth connect project experiences to character development through reflection and guided discussion.
The Character Connections curriculum supplement supports this work by providing guidance on informal learning, youth development, and the Experiential Learning Model—4‑H’s “Learning by Doing” approach. It also includes activity‑specific tools that link each of the Six Pillars to 4‑H project areas, along with ideas and discussion questions that help youth make meaningful “character connections.”
All handouts have been combined into one document, available for download as a PDF.
This guide was designed in 2007 for youth development professionals working with middle and high school students in Service‑Learning programs.
The manual offers a wide range of practical ideas and activity examples to strengthen and enrich Service‑Learning projects. All content is flexible and can be adapted to meet the unique needs of individual Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs, as well as applied across a variety of 4‑H program settings.
The goal of this 2009 resource was to equip families with practical tools and guidance as they support their children in developing independence and progressing toward adulthood. Each lesson follows the 4‑H Experiential Learning Model, which is outlined in the introduction of the imAlone Guide and emphasizes learning through hands‑on experience, reflection, and application.
The imAlone curriculum available includes a Facilitator Guide, Youth Workbook, and the Parent Guide- The content once included an interactive CD and imAlone kit. These items are no longer available.
This 2012 resource served military‑connected youth in grades 5–12 across all branches of service. It focuses on building life skills and strengthening resilience, particularly during periods of deployment and reintegration. Delivered in group settings using an experiential learning approach, the curriculum actively engages youth through hands‑on, interactive experiences.
Tech Discovery supports programs such as Yellow Ribbon events, military youth and family camps, and Family Readiness Groups. The curriculum includes 35 youth and family learning experiences that build skills in communication, teamwork, self‑responsibility, decision‑making, and problem‑solving, while enhancing emotional, social, family, and spiritual resilience.
Note: Due to the technical nature of the activities, staff and volunteers should plan for additional preparation time and may need to secure some supplemental materials.
Lessons and other information available for download in PDF format include:
- OMK Tech Discovery: Getting Started
- OMK Tech Discovery: Mobilization
- OMK Tech Discovery: On-site Event Resources
- OMK Tech Discovery: Pre-Deployment
- OMK Tech Discovery: Re-Integration - Youth
- OMK Tech Discovery: Re-Integration - Youth and Family
- OMK Tech Discovery: Leader/Staff Roles
- OMK Tech Discovery: Setting Up & Using the iPad 2 Device
- OMK Tech Discovery: Volunteer Training
Operation Military Kids (OMK) Curricula
Operation: Military Kids (OMK) was launched in 2004 as a collaborative effort among community agencies, schools, youth organizations, and military partners to support children of National Guard and Reserve families, particularly those geographically dispersed and living far from military installations. OMK focused on supporting youth before, during, and after deployment. Expanded support from Army Child and Youth Services, including additional funding during extended deployments beginning in 2007, helped strengthen and expand these efforts nationwide.
During OMK, military‑connected youth benefited from opportunities to connect with peers and trusted adults who understand their experiences. They seek environments that provide understanding, help them cope with change, and restore a sense of normalcy.
Several 4-HMP resources developed for OMK activities are available on this website and may be used in settings such as Family Readiness Group meetings, military briefings, day camps, and special events—providing meaningful, resilience‑building experiences for military‑connected youth. They are included below:
This resource offers a wide range of activity plans that can be quickly and easily implemented in diverse settings for youth in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
All activity plans in Experience Operation: Military Kids are flexible and may be delivered in a variety of venues, including Family Readiness Group meetings, military briefings, day camps, afterschool programs, and special events.
The objective of this resrouce is to help military families better understand the military deployment cycle. Deployment can be stressful and confusing for children and youth, who often struggle to understand the changes taking place and why they are happening.
Through age‑appropriate, experiential activities, both military‑connected and non‑military youth explore each stage of the deployment cycle, from receiving orders and preparation, to mission activities, and ultimately, homecoming and reintegration.
By engaging youth in meaningful, hands‑on learning, Operation: Boots On reduces uncertainty and stress while building understanding, empathy, and resilience during a parent’s deployment.
The objective of this curriculum is to prepare kids for the return of their Service Member - a stressful time for any military Family. Operation: Boots Off helps young people map out and implement individualized plans that will assist them in navigating the Reunion and Reintegration process in a meaningful and educational way.
This resource, developed through the 4-HMP by the University of Minnesota Extension, was designed to support military-connected youth before and during a parent or caregiver’s deployment by strengthening coping skills, communication, resiliency, safety awareness, and family connection through hands‑on, developmentally appropriate activities.
It is a ready‑to‑use, field‑tested toolkit, blending education, emotional support, family connection, and resiliency‑building into engaging activities that support both youth and caregivers during pre‑deployment and mobilization.
This resource, developed through the 4-HMP by the University of Minnesota Extension, was designed to support military-connected youth (grades K–12) during the reintegration phase following a parent or caregiver’s return from deployment.
It provides ready-to-use, experiential lesson plans that help youth process change, rebuild family routines, strengthen relationships, and develop life skills in the early stages (30‑day and 60‑day) after reintegration.