4-H Open Houses & Call Out meetings
By Linda Aldridge on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 |
Recruitment for the 2012 Huntington County 4-H program is underway. Four-H is a volunteer youth development and education program coordinated by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Its primary objectives are to assist young people in acquiring knowledge, skills, citizenship, and leadership. Youth participants and adult volunteers are the most important assets of 4-H.
The 2012 Huntington County 4-H program has scheduled call-out meetings to help families learn more about the county 4-H program during the month of January. Following are the scheduled dates, times and locations to gain information about 4-H in Huntington County:
• 4-H Open Houses –information about the county 4-H program and local 4-H clubs will be shared from 4-H club leaders, along with samples of 4-H project manuals will be available for review. Similar 4-H information will be shared at each of the following sites;
o Thursday, January 26, 6:30-7:30pm, Roanoke Elementary School cafeteria, 423 West Vine Street, Roanoke
o Tuesday, January 31, 6:30-7:30pm, Heritage Hall, Hier’s Park, 547 South Briant Street, Huntington
• At 7 pm during these 4-H open houses, there will be a short presentation explaining more about the new online 4-H enrollment process
Printed information about the Huntington County 4-H program was distributed through the elementary schools in Huntington County during the week of January 9th to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. Families are encouraged to read informational flyer about the Huntington County 4-H program and to respond as to their child’s interest in the 4-H program through the “Join 4-H” brochure. The interest form may be returned to the respective elementary school office, mailed to the Purdue Extension – Huntington County office or brought to of the scheduled 4-H open houses as noted above. Youth may also enroll in 4-H through the new online process.
Four-H is one of the largest youth development organizations in the world. Today’s 4-H is for all youth, regardless of urban or rural residence, socioeconomic status, or racial or cultural background. Last year in Huntington County, 1,074 youth in grades K-12 were involved in community based 4-H clubs, which emphasize practical, hands-on activities as key aspects of capturing and retaining lifelong interests. A wide range of learning opportunities are available, including such topics as aerospace, agriculture, consumer clothing, computers, electricity, foods, home environment, photography, reading, shooting sports and woodworking. In Huntington County, over 50 projects will be offered for 2012.
A chief characteristic of 4-H is its corps of caring and capable volunteers. 4-H volunteer club and project leaders form the backbone of the educational mission of the 4-H program. Through these committed adults, youth are offered opportunities to develop practical competencies and life skills such as leadership and teamwork.
Youth are helped to establish goals, think intelligently, and become contributing citizens. Through activities that are typically conducted in the homes of members or leaders, churches, or other community facilities, 4-H’ers are encouraged to examine problems in their communities and participate in their solution. Competence and knowledge developed through 4-H work often lead to career choices.
Surveys of graduating 4-H members both locally and nationwide have repeatedly reported participants’ acquisition of life skills such as personal responsibility, leadership, motivation, formation of friendships, and practical and vocational skill development as some of the most valuable outcomes of their 4-H experience.
The program combines the resources of Huntington County government, Purdue University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, community donors and sponsors, and the voluntary efforts of members, parents and adult volunteers.
For more information, the Purdue Extension – Huntington County office at 358-4826, located in the County Courthouse Annex Building, 354 N Jefferson – Suite 202, Huntington or contact Linda Aldridge, Extension Educator 4-H Youth, at laldridg@purdue.edu
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