Gearing Up for 4-H Enrollment:
It’s that time of year again! A new school year is rapidly approaching, so that means that a new 4-H year is also getting underway. We want everyone to know what it’s all about!
What is 4-H? It is a national organization which help young people develop life-long knowledge and skills to become engaged citizens. Through 4-H, youth are taught skills for living. It is a model of the “learn by doing” teaching concept and reaches people in their own communities.
The 4-H program is a voluntary, non-formal, educational program offered to all youth regardless of race, color, national origin, residence, or handicap. The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program is conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service, which is a part of the Texas A&M University System. 4-H serves youth in all 254 counties in Texas, and all 50 states in the US.
Young people learn about citizenship, leadership, foods and nutrition, healthy lifestyles, veterinary sciences, technology, horticulture, agriculture, and other subjects. Projects involve goal-setting and accomplishment. Skills and knowledge learned in 4-H project work help members become more engaged individuals.
What are the four “H’s?” The 4-H pledge explains it:
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.
The 4-H Motto is “To make the best better” and the 4-H Slogan is “Learn by doing.”
Who are 4-H members? Today’s 4-H’ers are boys and girls from 3rd thru 12th grades. They live in cities, on farms, and in suburban neighborhoods. They join 4-H because it is fun, it provides opportunities to work and play with friends, to learn about and do interesting things, and to develop leadership skills. Contrary to popular belief, you DO NOT have to show animals to be in 4-H. As a matter of fact, over 50% of our current Hopkins County 4-H members don’t have animal projects. The most popular 4-H project is foods & nutrition, followed closely by shooting sports. Photography, robotics, clothing & textiles, leadership, health, public speaking, and animal projects -plus many more – mean that there is something for everyone in 4-H!
How much does it cost? 4-H has a participation cost of $20 (before November 1st of each year) to $25 (November 1st and after) to join. Some projects might have a related cost – like, if you want to do a clothing project, you’ll want to pick out your own fabric, or if you want to do photography, you’ll need a camera and money to get pictures developed.
How do you join 4-H? Enrollment for the 2016/2017 year will be open starting mid-August. The 4-H year goes from September 1st and August 31st. Enrollment is done on-line at http://texas4honline.com, or you can drop by our office and we’ll help you! You can call us at 903-885-3443 and we’ll be glad to help you. When you enroll, you will need to select a club (see below) and pick at least three projects. This does not obligate you to participate in those projects, but I lets us know which ones to focus on! Adult leaders and parents are welcome to serve as project leaders!! We’ll help you!
Which clubs are available? 4-H clubs usually meet once per month (except during summer months when we have multi-county 4-H camp, 4-H project tour day, and 4-H Achievement Banquet). Below are the clubs, locations, dates, and contact persons:
– Arbala Harvest 4-H: meets 3rd Monday at Arbala Community Center, 6:00 p.m. (contact Ginger Bartley)
– Dike 4-H: meets 1st Saturday at Dike Community Center, 10:00 a.m. (contact Margarett McDonald)
– Infinity 4-H: meets 2nd Monday at the Hopkins County Extension Office (contact Jeremy Bridges or Kathy Lennon)
– Miller Grove 4-H: meets 1st Tuesday at Miller Grove School, 3:d0 p.m. (contact Farri George or Cherri Bessonett)
– Paws 4-H: meets 3rd Thursday at Sulphur Springs Elementary School (grades 3 & 4), 3:15 p.m. (contact Shelby Gibson)
Our staff consists of two Extension agents (Johanna Hicks – Family & Consumer Sciences, and Mario Villarino – Ag & Natural Resources)and one office administrator (Barbara Sanders). You can call us at 903-885-3443 and we’ll be glad to help you!
Closing Thought
Just one person saying, “You’ve made my day!” makes my day – Andy Rooney
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
