4-H, A Great Resource Located Somewhere Near You!

One of the best programs I was involved in as an elementary and middle schooler was 4-H. It offered many opportunities for monthly get-togethers and local and state fair competitions, especially for those of us who lived in rural areas. Horses and photography were definitely two of my favorites!

Later, my own daughters got involved in 4-H, as did many of their friends. Both of the girls competed in sewing and fashion competitions. Jessica even helped set the benchmark for the design handbook in an associated competition. They also studied basic nutrition that they later applied when volunteering to pack family boxes in a food pantry. Whitney also did a horticulture course. That allowed us all the enjoyment of adding Jackson & Perkins’ test roses to our yard that she would rate and grade for the company.

Today here in Northern Virginia, our 4-H Educational and Conference Center offers year-round, research-based programming to youth and their families. In addition to camps, it also hosts a variety of outdoor recreation, festivals, and team building programs. It reaches almost 6,000 youth ages 5-18 every year. It also offers volunteer opportunities for nearly 800 teen and adult volunteer leaders who support, supervise and teach.

One of the most valuable 4-H contributions to youth is the emphasis on life skills. There is also the emphasis on developing spiritual, mental, social and physical development.You can locate your own area 4-H online. I encourage you to take advantage of a great way to expand your horizons with other young people who want to invest in their own learning and growth—and have a lot of fun with others while doing so!