National 4-H Week Oct. 2-8

More than six million young people across the country celebrate National 4-H Week, an annual celebration of 4-H during the first full week of October. Many 4-H clubs reorganize for the new 4-H year in the fall.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is designed to engage youth in learning opportunities that promote positive youth development. In 4-H, the critical elements of a successful learning experience are a sense of Belonging, Independence, Mastery, and Generosity.

4-H clubs, school enrichment programs, after school programs and individual/Family 4-H groups can utilize curriculum and over 100 different “projects” or subject areas to spark kids’ interest. 4-H activities and projects may address one or more of 35 identified life skills, including: leadership, responsible citizenship, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, respect for others, and communication.

The Adams County 4-H Program is gearing up for the new 4-H year with Kick Off sessions for five returning chartered 4-H clubs and three family 4-H groups in East Adams County.

The Grant-Adams WSU Extension 4-H staff works with additional 4-H groups in the Adams County “panhandle.” Last year 28 certified (East) Adams County 4-H volunteers worked with 79 youth, not counting additional participants at Camp Na-Bor-Lee and the Food $ense program in the schools.

The 4-H program relies on volunteers to organize and deliver the program to all youth without discrimination. And youth, ages 5 to 18, can be involved in much more than just “cows and cooking.”

Projects range from pets to robotics with curriculum available that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and life-skill development. Upcoming 4-H 101 Volunteer Education sessions in November will provide an opportunity for new leaders of existing, new and family 4-H clubs to certify to work with 4-H youth in the new 4-H year.

Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are more likely to contribute to their communities, pursue healthy behaviors, and engage in STEM programs.

For information on 4-H in the Lincoln-Adams area, contact WSU Extension Program Coordinator, Randy Williams at 509-725-4171 or [email protected], and Karen Robertson at 659-3209 or [email protected] or online at: http://extension.wsu.edu/lincoln-adams/.