The 4-H Pledge
I pledge
MY HEAD to clearer thinking,
MY HEART to greater loyalty,
MY HANDS to larger service,
MY HEALTH to better living, for my Club, my Community,
my Country, and my World.
Head –Independence
4-H members pledge their heads to clearer thinking because the ability to think, to plan and to reason enables them to achieve independence of thought and action. They are far less influenced by peer pressure when they have confidence in their ability to think things through and arrive at their own conclusions and decisions that guide their independent actions. That assuredness also enables them to lead others in positive ways.
Heart – Belonging
4-H members pledge their hearts to greater loyalty because feeling connected to others in a group creates a sense of physical and emotional safety. The warm feeling of belonging frees them to relate comfortably with others, to test their ideas without fear of ridicule, to cooperate and help others.
Hands – Generosity
4-H members pledge their hands to larger service because they need to feel that their lives have meaning and purpose. Using skills they have learned to help others meets that need while developing a spirit of generosity. The desire to help one's neighbor lies at the very core of citizenship.
Health – Mastery
4-H members pledge their health to better living because their ability to achieve their goals and enjoy their lives depends on having healthy minds and bodies. Successes achieved through 4-H project work build a sense of mastery that in turn nurtures a positive self-concept, the prime ingredient of emotional health. When we think we can, we try, and eventually we do succeed again.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
Related Resources
I Pledge
my Head to clearer thinking
my Heart to greater loyalty
my Hands to larger service
my Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country and my world.