Do you want youth in your community to make good choices, be involved in their community and develop genuine positive character traits? The answer to helping young people reach those goals may lie in a well-known organization likely already established in your community.
10 characteristics of vibrant youth groups...
Leaders are not born, they are developed! While some youth are more adept at public speaking or are exceptionally quick thinkers, that does not make them leaders. To be a true leader takes years. Attitudes and skills need to be encouraged and developed over time. That is why leadership practice begins the moment a child enrolls in 4-H, regardless of age. As a Cloverbud, leadership training begins by learning how to express ideas and feelings appropriately, by taking responsibility for one’s actions, and by doing things for the good of the group – like helping to clean up after a craft.
Every year, there are many questions about using the name and emblem for 4-H events and activities. Did you know the 4-H Clover carries the same authority and clout as the White House Seal.
A major aspect of the 2011 National 4-H Congress was an emphasis on teamwork and leadership. Each delegate attended both a leadership and a teamwork workshop filled with various activities.
Setting goals can be one of the most challenging and frustrating things for adults to do and it can be even harder for youth to accomplish. However, it has been shown people who write out their goals and share them with others are more likely to reach their goals than people who have unwritten or unspecific goals. As a project leader, advisor, or parent; sitting down with youth and helping them write down goals will provide a more positive learning experience within a project and hold the youth accountable for accomplishing their set goals.
With a new project year comes time for selecting new animals to have as part of your 4-H project. Youth interested in selecting their own animals are encouraged to work with their project leaders, parents, or area producers to help guide them through this process. Published resource materials, within specific projects, are also great starting tools to see what is current in the industry when selecting an animal.
Of course there are many questions as to how 4-H will be stronger in the future amidst all the changes taking place.
The 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame was established as part of the 100th Centennial Birthday Celebration for 4-H in 2002. Its purpose then, and now, is to recognize and celebrate those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the 4-H program in South Dakota. Their time, effort, and dedication have benefited thousands of youth over the history of South Dakota 4-H. More than 160 4-H volunteers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since 2002.
In June, the delegates of Teen Leadership Conference endorsed the 4-H Youth Council’s suggestion of selecting Operation Smile as the state-wide community service project for 2011-2012.
I had the privilege to attend a service learning workshop while I was at National 4-H Congress. I thought I knew what service learning was before going into the workshop but I soon came to find I did not. Service learning is not synonymous with community service, volunteerism, youth service, or experimental education; it is more.
The South Dakota 4-H Youth Council is an organization composed of 4-H teens from across South Dakota.
The 2012 North Central Region 4-H Science Academy will be held Feb 8-10, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. Funded by the Noyce Foundation, the Academy will bring together 4-H professional faculty and staff from the twelve north central states in a three-day summit.
Each year, county 4-H programs in South Dakota recognize outstanding volunteers and programs supporters through the Friend of 4-H award.
How many of us have heard the phrase “4-H is the best kept secret in South Dakota”? It’s time to change that quote by sharing with others the exciting benefits 4-H has to offer. What role does it play in youth development? What benefits does it provide our youth? What value does it have in our communities? It’s time to publicize!
There are many ways to show your support for South Dakota’s 4-H Program. Did you know you can show support on your license plates?
Just as you are feeling comfortable being around elementary-aged youth, you may find that they are changing again as they reach fourth grade. Children have mastered basic reading and writing skills and are poised to independently pursue things that interest them.
Early childhood is generally defined as ages from birth to eight with an emphasis on the ages between 5 and 8. At age five, many children begin their formal education in the school setting. Meanwhile, they also begin joining in other group activities where informal learning occurs, such as, afterschool groups, teams and clubs. For adults who guide, coach or mentor children in these organizations, it is important to plan activities thoughtfully and intentionally based on the developmental characteristics of early childhood.
Have you ever watched a five year-old trying to master the art of tying his shoelaces? The child may become frustrated and give up, at least for a time. But, he will usually come back to it in the next few days and accomplish it.
My attention was drawn towards the Southerns, Blondes, and Lawyers workshop. I had no idea what to expect, the only thing I knew was that it was a diversity workshop. Right away when I walked into the room I sat down at a table with six other 4-Her’s. (There was about a total of 40 kids in this workshop.) I noticed signs on the walls spread across the room which were labeled: Jocks, Blondes, Southerns, Lawyers, and Asians. Other signs that were next to those were: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, and Strongly Agree.