NorthStar 4-H Youth Mentoring Program: Rooted in Relationship Building
In the communities of rural Maine, a transformation is unfolding. With the NorthStar 4-H Youth Mentoring Program, middle school students begin a journey that carries them through high school graduation and beyond. Guided by mentors and grounded in community, cohorts are encouraged to see the world beyond what they know.
Based at the University of Maine’s Bryant Pond 4-H Center and Telstar Middle and High Schools, NorthStar 4-H was launched in 2017 to strengthen connections between local youth and community adults, expand access to new experiences, and nurture a sense of belonging in rural Maine communities.
A key feature of this program is that it is completely free to participants, making a commitment to eliminating barriers for student participation from the start.
NorthStar 4-H has been an Aspirations Incubator partner with the Rural Youth Institute since 2017, joining RYI in statewide initiatives designed to help rural youth imagine and achieve postsecondary success through long-term mentoring and experiential learning. Since joining the RYI network, NorthStar 4-H has expanded programming into three Maine school systems.
““NorthStar has impacted my life positively. It has given me possibilities that I didn’t even think that a school could do like traveling to Washington, DC. I only thought that wealthy schools went on trips like these. We are able to do things where people can grow, make friendships, and build soft skills for the workplace.”
In becoming an Aspirations Incubator partner, NorthStar 4-H has continuously committed to a program design shaped by four facets: mentoring, experiential learning, social and emotional development, and college and career readiness.
While all four concepts make up the NorthStar 4-H experience in uniquely important ways, many participants find the mentoring aspect to have the most immediate impact.
"I think NorthStar is important because it gives kids an adult beyond their parents. When things got tough, I turned to my 4-H mentors. Our experiences—traveling to places like Montreal and Washington, DC—have been incredible. Every kid should have the chance to explore the world and create these lasting memories."
NorthStar’s approach is grounded in three pillars: Leadership and Adventure Education, Community Engagement, and Cultural Awareness and Exchange.
In turn, these three pillars translate into four distinct goals:
Expand students’ horizons and build confidence through civic engagement, community service, and outdoor experiences.
Increase self-resilience and foster the determination to succeed.
Expand individual leadership and community-building skills.
Raise aspirations and help to set career or college goals, supporting students and families as needs arise.
4-H staff and volunteers work with students during the pivotal transitions of childhood to support and nurture their growth, with a new group of 7th graders added each year. Trips, service projects, and reflection activities are all shaped by student voice and choice, ensuring each student feels ownership of their journey.
“I think NorthStar has impacted me in various ways. The experiences that we go on are super fun, and I feel like a part of a team. I have been able to build up strong friendships through these travel experiences. I feel like it has changed me and that I am a better person now. My most memorable moment was in Montreal, visiting the fine arts museum; it was revolutionary. The fine arts are very impactful for me, and I wouldn’t have been able to experience that without NorthStar.”
As NorthStar 4-H continues to evolve within the Aspirations Incubator network, its focus remains clear: strengthen relationships, listen deeply to youth, and nurture aspiration over time.
