Fort Irwin 4-H Military Program

Ft. Irwin 4-H

Operation: Military Kids

 

 

 

Fort Irwin is located approximately 37 miles northeast of Barstow, California in the High Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County. Currently, the active population is approximately 5,000. The school population K-12 is approximately 2,300. San Bernardino County is approximately 20,000 square miles thus making face-to-face contact difficult due to travel remoteness.

As mentioned above, the 4-H mission is to provide the necessary resources—people and curriculum—to assist young people in learning the necessary life skills needed to become contributing adults within their communities and world. This objective coincides with the Fort Irwin Child and Youth Services (CYS) program philosophy. Their aim is targeted “to help children and youth build within themselves a positive self-concept that will help develop them into productive caring adults” (Fort Irwin Family Services website, 2007). 

To date, there are approximately 300 youth involved in the 4-H Youth Development Program on the Ft. Irwin installation base. Moreover, as orders change for military personnel, the number fluctuates dramatically. In a concerted effort with county, state, and federal programming, OMK provides military youth with 4-H program opportunities and connects them to support resources where they live. The youth currently involved are participating in a multitude of projects ranging from photography and gardening.