As summer grows closer, more and more parents begin searching for activities to occupy their summer months. The search is now over! With 4-H organizations in most counties in all fifty states in the United States, finding an organization near you is a simple as a phone call to the national 4-H foundation, or a visit to their website.
One might ask, why enroll my child in the 4-H organization? There are many answers to this question. Being an experienced 4-H member myself, I have found that the 4-H organization has really helped me to become the person that I am today. I have gained many skills through the program such as leadership, showmanship, and responsibility. Not only this, but my time in the organization has allowed me to form friendships and connections that will remain with me for the rest of my life.
One of the biggest arguments as to why a child cannot join 4-H, is the fact that they do not reside on a farm. There is no longer any support for this argument, due to the fact that there are now dozens of projects available ranging from photography to shooting sports. All of these projects are designed to give children ages 9-19 the opportunity to learn and develop the skills needed to complete a project. Not only this, but the children are also able to receive constructive feedback on the completion of their project for the county 4-H fair.
So what else is involved in being a 4-H member? One of the first things that come to mind for me, is the experiences that I have had at our 4-H summer camp. Many 4-H clubs offer a district summer camp for the younger members of the program, as well as counselor positions for the older members. Another activity that 4-Hers participate in are the club completion trips that the 4-H clubs take to celebrate the completion of the 4-H programs for that year. The 4-H organization also offers the opportunity to participate in various volunteer activities that help to build character as well as appreciation for your community.
If you are interested in the 4-H program for your child, or would like to obtain more information on the program, please visit the National 4-H Council homepage at http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/ to find a local club near you.