Health Rocks! is a curriculum-based life skills development program for youth ages 8 to 12, sponsored by the National 4-H Council. It helps youth learn skills such as decision-making, critical thinking, and stress management but places a special emphasis on tobacco-use prevention. The program also includes components that bring youth and adults together as partners in developing community strategies that prepare young people to make health lifestyle choices.
-Human Interaction Research Institute

4-H has worked for decades to help youth develop skills that serve them for life. Some of these skills, such as communicating with others, relating to change, and dealing with stress, help youth as they seek to develop the internal strength to resist risky behaviors. We feel a prevention program built upon the strong foundations of life-skill development and decision-making results in a program that truly reduces youth tobacco and drug use.

Kids who have personal social skills and competencies are more resistant to substance use. Ultimately we want children who are already forming their opinions about tobacco, alcohol and drug use to take control of these choices and not make them because of peer pressure, stress, or other emotional factors.
-National 4-H Council 

Health Rocks! was developed by a design team of youth and adult partners, representing a broad spectrum of experience, ages, ethnicities, and geographical locations.

Adults on the design team included experts in youth development, health education, communications, training, and prevention. As a result of this unique collaboration, Health Rocks! is an easy-to-use, experiential curriculum that can be taught by older teens as well as adults. 

How to Get Involved

We are excited to get 4-H members involved in this rewarding program. Local teams are needed to reach youth in their community. Teens with an adult mentor are the ideal implenation teams. To find out more, contact Shane Oram (shoram10@ksu.edu) or Elaine Johannes (ejohanne@ksu.edu) or give us a call at the State 4-H Office at (785) 532-5800! 

For teams interested in having a training session check out the interest form under links!