Amber Barks
As families continue to search for resources and support for their children to become better leaders, 4-H is ready to help youth learn the skills needed to thrive. While 4-H may be best known for our livestock exhibits. We have so much more to offer youth!
We provide a safe environment where youth can learn about subjects that interest them, have fun, make friends, and participate in new experiences. The beauty of 4-H is the program can be tailored to each individual child’s needs and interests. We believe that with a variety of workshops, clubs, and more than 70 projects available for participants to choose from, there will always be opportunities for youth to find their place in our program. We even have a category in which youth can choose to do their own thing if it doesn’t happen to fall into one of our project areas.
4-H helps prepare youth who are currently in grades kindergarten through 12 for life by teaching them the skills they will need to succeed as adults. 4-H members and alumni from across the country tell us they have developed skills in leadership, citizenship, time management, record keeping, public speaking, communication and planning through their 4-H opportunities.
We encourage you to take the steps to connect with the 4-H program. As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H offers youth, families, and adult volunteers of all ages many ways to engage, grow and serve through clubs, camps, special interest groups, and more. It’s about young people making new friends and memories while preparing to be future leaders—from both rural and urban areas.
Amber Barks is the 4-H youth development, extension educator at Purdue Extension Hancock County. Enrollment for 4-H generally runs Oct. 1-Jan. 15, but the office enrolls youth up through May 15. For more information, visit extension.purdue.edu/4-H, call 317-462-1113 or email [email protected].
