It’s National 4-H Week October 3 through 9 and the week will be celebrated by more than 6.5 million youth!
With a motto of “Making the Best, Better” and the practical ideal of “Learning by Doing”, 4-H encourages youth to explore ideas and experiment with new concepts in a fun and safe environment creating new leaders in our community.
4-H members, girls and boys ages 5-19, learn leadership, citizenship and practical life skills through more than 1,000 project areas including aerospace, robotics, GPS mapping, nutrition, public speaking, photography and community service, just to name a few.
Guided by more than 540,000 volunteers, 4-H members have opportunities for learning through three primary program areas: science, engineering and technology, healthy living, and citizenship.
Supported by federal, state and county government, 4-H is found in every community across America and worldwide on U.S. military installations. In Missouri, you will find 4-H within county cooperative extension offices with additional support through the University of Missouri and Lincoln University.
4-H is the only youth development program which has direct access to university-based research with intentional learning opportunities for youth to develop independence, a spirit of generosity, a sense of belonging and provides opportunities for youth to master important life skills. Not only that, studies show 4-H members do better in school, can experiment with new ideas, have better self-esteem, are connected to their communities and they make friendships that last a lifetime!
Since 1902 when 4-H was founded, 4-H has helped produce 33 university presidents and chancellors, 14 governors, 31 CEO’s and four astronauts.
Musical sensations like Faith Hill, Vince Gill and Reba McIntire are also 4-H alumni. Those are pretty impressive statistics for a youth-driven, volunteer-supported organization.
Would you like to know how you can give your kids a great way to learn by doing, serve their community, form lasting friendships and provide opportunities for them grow into healthy, caring adults? Check out 4-H on the Web at: http://4h.missouri.edu or by calling MU Extension at: 417-683-4409 to speak with Don Pinckney. Come join the largest youth development program in the America as 4-Hers “Take the Lead”, and see what you can do in 4-H!
