4-H: Youth can experience a lifetime adventure
For over 120 years, 4-H has served over 6 million youth; helping to develop their life skills and prepare them to be successful in whatever endeavor they choose. From ages 5 through 18, 4-H has something for everyone.
First and foremost, 4-H is a family program – a place where adults and their children can learn and grow together. Founded on the belief that when youth are empowered to pursue their passions and chart their own course, their skills grow and take shape, helping them to become true leaders in their lives, and communities. Four-H is grounded in a deliberate, research-backed development and delivery model where youth learn critical life skills of resilience and independence. Whether youth participate through individual projects, as a member of a 4-H club, or attend 4-H camp, 4-H fosters curiosity and inspires youth to pursue their dreams.
Four-H provides experiences for young people to “learn by doing.” Four-H’ers complete hands-on projects in areas of Leadership, Civic Engagement, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), Healthy Living, and Agriculture. They receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Youth can experience 4-H through in-school and after-school programs, community clubs, project work, and 4-H camps.
4-H PLEDGE
I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking,
my HEART to greater loyalty,
my HANDS to larger service,
and my HEALTH to better living,
for my club, my community, my country and my world.
In New Hanover County our club opportunities include a Teen Leader’s Club, a Horse Club, an Enviro Club, a Rabbit Club, and 2 In-School 4-H Clubs. We would love to see clubs for our youth involved around dogs, cooking, sewing, horticulture, and home school youth.
Adults are also welcome to experience this great 4-H adventure as a volunteer! Why should I volunteer? One of 4-H’s essential, core elements is generosity, and what better way to give to 4-H than to be become a volunteer. Volunteering with 4-H is a great way to enhance your leadership skills, give back to your community, meet new people, and inspire the next generation of youth to be successful, contributing members of society! From serving as a chaperon at 4-H Summer camp to leading a special interest team, 4-H offers a variety of opportunities for volunteer service in youth development programming. We hope you will find your niche with us and share your time and talents in building our next generation of leaders. You are more than just a volunteer in 4-H – you are instrumental in inspiring the next generation.
“When adults take time to help young people through 4-H, they exert an enormous, positive influence on the lives of youth.” - Gen. Colin Powell
Our youth are our future. The best gift we can give our youth is to empower them with skills that will last for a lifetime. Join The Adventure Now!!! If you are interested in joining any of the existing clubs or would like more information on additional club activities and how to become a 4-H volunteer, contact the New Hanover County 4-H Agent, J. Scott Enroughty, at 910-798-7669 or jsenroug@ncsu.edu.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Volunteer with 4-H. Help build the next generation of leaders
