Virtual learning supports the Beyond Ready national 4-H initiative

Beyond Ready is the new national 4-H initiative to prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030. But it’s more than just preparation for the future—it’s about supporting youth to thrive today and equipping them with the capabilities to thrive throughout their lives.

We need to consider how Beyond Ready can enhance existing programs or inspire entirely new ones. In doing so, we can open doors to topics and audiences that might otherwise be out of reach. One way to achieve this is by offering virtual learning opportunities.

The power of virtual learning

Would you like to take a remote tour of the African savanna? Dive into Minecraft as a tool for educating tomorrow’s tech leaders? Explore the complexities of the human brain through a virtual neuroscience lab? All of these things are possible through virtual learning.

Every young person has sparks or interests, but does every young person have the opportunity to explore them? Virtual learning can close that gap, offering access and flexibility that traditional methods often cannot. It allows youth to explore their unique interests or sparks even if those interests are too niche for their local community.

Beyond content delivery, virtual programs can also foster deeper connections by enabling youth to interact and build relationships with like-minded peers across the state.

Embracing growth through discomfort

Focusing on enhancing and developing new program opportunities, like virtual programs, also presents a valuable opportunity for educators. It’s a chance to expand their vision and reflect on current practices.

Growth can feel intimidating, whether you’re a young person or an adult, because it highlights what’s missing. But acknowledging what’s missing doesn’t mean ignoring what’s already working. In fact, growth builds on what’s good and stretches it further.

Feeling uneasy about change is natural, and even necessary. Implementing a Beyond Ready strategy means embracing that discomfort, and helping youth navigate it, too.

Consider this: 52% of Gen Z report feeling like they’re failing at life goals. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action.

Youth need to become comfortable with failure, risk and challenge, not as signs of inadequacy, but as essential parts of learning. 

Growth often means stepping outside of your comfort zone, facing setbacks and building durable skills like persistence and adaptability. 

Ironically, being “ready” often means being comfortable with not feeling ready.

Leading by example

Virtual programming is a perfect example of this principle in action. Many educators may not feel fully prepared to lead in this space, and that’s okay. 

By leaning into their own uncertainty, they model the exact mindset we hope to foster in youth: one of curiosity, courage and resilience.

When educators step outside of their own comfort zones, they lead youth towards the future without all the answers, but with the tools and the mindset to face what lies ahead.

That’s what it means to be Beyond Ready.