Exploring Organizational Climate in 4-H Youth Development from 2017 to 2025

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Imagining and Planning for Innovation: System Change in Out-of-School Time

Abstract

This study examines organizational climate in the 4-H Youth Development Program across five survey waves (2017–2025) in three California counties. Adapting Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, we assess how youth, parents, and volunteers perceive program quality across micro- to macro-level contexts. Findings show a marked decrease in climate perceptions in 2023, followed by a strong recovery in 2025, with several dimensions exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Qualitative responses revealed that interpretations of program experiences varied by role and tenure, with newer participants focusing on club-level experiences and county communication, while experienced volunteers emphasized state policies and broader social issues. This research offers a replicable framework for tracking and interpreting organizational climate trends that can inform policy, measurement, and training across the out-of-school time field.

Authors

• Evelyn Mandujano, University of California - Davis

• Steven M. Worker, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Kali Trzesniewski, University of California - Davis