4-H offers numerous activities for youth to participate in

Next week will be National 4-H Week. As the largest youth development program, aside from public schools, 4-H involves 6 million youth nationwide. In Bourbon County, 160 youth participate in 4-H activities.

Youth between the ages of 7 and 19 may join 4-H anytime, but October is a good time to get started, since it is the start of a new 4-H year. 4-H has no membership fees. The only costs are those associated with project materials and activities in which members choose to participate. In Bourbon County, youth need to join 4-H by January 1 to be able to exhibit in the county fair 4-H division.

Youth see 4-H as a fun experience where they spend time with their friends, take part in activities where they meet new friends, and learn new skills. But, there's more to 4-H. Youth, through the activities in which they are involved, are learning life skills which they will use for the rest of their lives. They are developing into responsible citizens who will continue to make contributions to their community.

The 4-H clover is a familiar emblem to most people. Each of the four H's on the clover represents ways youth grow and develop in 4-H:

Head -- critical thinking, problem solving.

Heart -- self-discipline, integrity, communication.

Hands -- serving others.

Health -- choosing healthy lifestyles.

In 4-H youth "learn by doing." Much of that learning happens through project experiences. From beef to bicycles…electricity to entomology…forestry to food science…photography to plant science…rabbits to rockets. Kansas 4-H offers 29 project areas designed to develop the wide range of interests that appeal to young people. In addition to subject-matter skills, many young people develop interests which lead to a career or a lifelong hobby.

The 4-H program places an emphasis on character education. Using the Six Pillars of Character from the Character Counts program of the Josephson Institute, 4-H members are encouraged to practice the character traits of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, citizenship, and caring.

A new emphasis for the 4-H program is on science, engineering and technology (SET). The national initiative is designed to engage one million more young people in SET activities. By encouraging more youth to study the sciences, 4-H will help corporate America fulfill its need for a more qualified and diverse workforce in the future.

As part of the 4-H experience, 4-H members are encouraged to learn about and contribute to their communities. Several members of the 4-H Junior Leaders group have recently distributed United Way packets to businesses in the community.

The 4-H program, like many other youth groups, relies heavily on volunteers who are involved in nearly every aspect of the program. All volunteers go through a screening and orientation process to insure a safe, caring and positive experience for youth.

The community also is important for the success of 4-H. Community support of all aspects of the 4-H program is greatly appreciated.

To learn more about 4-H in Bourbon County, stop by the Extension office on first floor of the courthouse or give us a call at (620) 223-3720.

Editor's Note: Ann Ludlum is a K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720 or aludlum@ksu.edu.