By Julie Tomascik
Editor
This week, 4-H members from across the nation are celebrating National 4-H Week.
Throughout the week, 4-H members will showcase the many ways they experience hands-on learning and the impact that the organization has on youth, alumni and volunteers.
“Texas 4-H members across the state will celebrate uniquely, but some opportunities include 4-H Spirit Day on Tuesday where 4-H youth and supporters will wear green all day and Throwback Thursday where people can post their throwback 4-H pictures,” Callie Henley, Texas 4-H Marketing and Communications specialist, said. “We will wrap up the week with our statewide day of service, One Day 4-H, on Saturday.”
One Day 4-H allows 4-H members, parents and volunteers to help their communities through various service projects.
This year’s theme for National 4-H Week is “Inspire Kids to Do.” It is a campaign that showcases opportunities, empowering 4-H members with the skills they need to be successful in life and careers.
In the Lone Star State, there are about 60,000 4-H club members and more than 1,700 active 4-H clubs.
“4-H is a club for kids and teens to develop life skills, make friends, learn about the world around them and have fun,” Henley said. “Youth join a 4-H club and participate in a project of their choice, while they make friends, learn together and serve their community.”
Kids ages five to seven can participate in Clover Kids if the county offers the program, and 4-H members can join when they are in the third grade and continue through the end of their senior year, according to Henly.
“Youth can learn a multitude of skills—from cooking to raising animals to photography—depending on the project area they choose to participate in, but all youth leave the 4-H program having learned leadership skills, the value of community service and interpersonal skills that will help them for years to come,” she said.
4-H is a national organization that cultivates confident kids. In the U.S., 4-H programs empower six million young people through 110 land-grant universities and cooperative extension service in more than 3,000 local offices across the nation.
Click here to learn more about Texas 4-H and National 4-H.