If you think of 4H as a youth group centered around raising a calf or lamb to show at the State Fair, you're going to be amazed at what you learn on this page:
4H kids are now much more likely to be involved in environmental projects, community projects, nature studies, canoeing and camping.
4H is supported by the US Dept of Agriculture, and in my State of South Carolina, this means that 4H'ers can take advantage of the many resources of our Clemson University Extension Services and camps. One exciting adventure available for 4H kids is a week at CAMP SEWEE on the Atlantic Ocean near Charleston where they intensively study Marine Ecology and Biology in addition to many traditional fun camp activities. Most state 4H Associations offer their own exciting programs and special camps.
(Scroll below for links your State 4H Association and for more information on the neat stuff available in South Carolina.)
About 4H
4-H is the Cooperative Extension System's dynamic, nonformal, educational program for today's young people.
The program partners the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state and local governments, 4-H Foundations, and the Cooperative State Research, Educational and Extension Service of the US Department of Agriculture.
All partners are working across the country to assist youth in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to become productive and contributing members of society. 4-H impacts youth from all ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds who live in rural, suburban, and urban communities.
4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States with more than 6.8 million participants and more than 610,595 youth and adult volunteers working directly and indirectly with youth. Universally recognized by its four-leaf clover emblem , 4-H serves youth through a variety of methods including organized clubs, school-enrichment groups, special interest groups, individual study programs, camps, school-age child care programs, and instructional television programs. To date, more than 45 million people are 4-H alumni.
4-H has spread internationally through The International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) program <http://www.ifyeusa.org/>. This is an in-depth learning experience in which 4-H alumni and other young adults live with host families in other countries to increase global awareness, develop independent study interests, and improve language skills.
Programs vary from country to country, with some emphasizing an agricultural work experience, volunteering at an adult training center, or working with a local youth development program similar to 4-H.
Youth can participate in more than 110 program areas, including:
community service
communications
arts
consumer and family sciences
environmental education
earth sciences
healthy lifestyle education
leadership
plants and animals
science and technology
Contact your local county Extension office to join or become a volunteer
NUMBER OF YOUTH IN 4-H
6,834,338 youth, 5 to 19 years old, participated in 4-H programs in 2000.
YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN 4-H IN THESE WAYS:
1,604,972 youth were members of 103,603 4-H clubs
2,571,223 youth were members of 90,244 4-H special interest groups
3,640,115 youth were members of 131,912 4-H school enrichment programs
61,593 youth participated in 4-H individual study programs
43,151 youth were enrolled in 4-H instructional TV programs
96,534 youth were in 5,206 school-aged child care programs
303,470 youth attended 9,905 Extension 4-H youth camping programs
Only some 4H Kids are Farm Kids; check it out:
Residence of Youth Participating in 4-H:
10% (676,353) lived on farms
32% (2,180,488) lived in towns under 10,000 and open country
23% (1,560,667) lived in towns and cities of 10,000 to 50,000
9% (592,845) lived in suburbs of cities with populations over 50,000
26% (1,823,985) lived in central cities of populations over 50,000
Racial/Ethnic Information of Youth Participating in 4-H
30% are from minority racial-ethnic groups
52% (3,574,245) are girls 48% (3,260,093) are boys
Grades of Youth Participating in 4-H
Grades K-3 - 33% (2,246,066)
Grades 4-6 - 37% (2,548,069)
Grades 7-9 - 17% (1,135,755)
Grades 10-12 - 10% (690,251)
Other (post high school, out of school, or in
special programs) - 3% (214,197)
VOLUNTEERS IN 4-H
610,595 volunteer leaders worked directly or indirectly with youth.
494,260 were 4-H adult leaders
116,335 were junior teen leaders
4-H volunteers are supported by the equivalent of 4,000 professional staff members and 1,200 paraprofessionals.
The average 4-H volunteer spends approximately 220 hours per year volunteering with 4-H, drives an average of 300 to 400 miles in a personally owned car, and spends an average of $50 of their own money. Therefore, volunteers contributed approximately $1.9 billion dollars. Private sector partners invest almost $100 million annually through local, state and national 4-H youth development programs.
About Camp Sewee in South Carolina
"Camp Sewee" is the new marine science camp program, offered by the S.C. 4-H Leadership Centers. This week-long residential program is designed to offer campers the opportunity to learn about the coastal environment in a new and exciting way. Thanks to our partnership with Sea Grant, the Department of Natural Resources, and Clemson Extension, we have a curriculum that will be both challenging and exciting.
The camp will be held at the Sewee Coastal Retreat Center located on the Intercoastal Waterway, near Charleston, S.C., with sessions being offered throughout the summer. Campers learn about marine science through scientific study of the coastal environment, while enjoying the fun and excitement of the camp experience.
(You can contact us at: (864) 656-3145 S.C. 4-H Leadership Centers
Route 1, Box 1225 Summerton, S.C. 29148)
Camp WildLife; Another Camping Opportunity for South Carolina 4H'ers
. . . a week-long residential camp program that will immerse campers in wildlife and
outdoor experiences and enhance their interest in conservation, wildlife management, and the appreciation of nature.
. . . a comprehensive camp program featuring the study of wildlife and shooting sports based on the nationally recognized 4-H Shooting Sports Program.
. an in-depth program designed by the S.C. 4-H Leadership Centers with assistance from:
National Wild Turkey Federation
Quail Unlimited
S.C. Department of Natural Resources
S.C. Waterfowl Association
You Don't have to be from Beautiful South Carolina to Enjoy our Camps:
Whenever we think of CREW, we get excited about rowing teams coming from the northern United States to the South to train in our warmer weather. The R. M. Cooper 4-H Leadership Center provides an excellent opportunity for rowing teams to train in an unique setting.
We are unmatched in this region, because we provide lodging, meals, and recreation only yards away from the docks where you launch. This allows you more time on the water, because you don't have to travel to your launch site.
We are located on a 110-acre peninsula on the Wyboo Creek section of Lake Marion near Summerton, South Carolina <http://4hcamps.clemson.edu/recreation3.htm>, only 15 miles from Interstate 95. When you drive onto the grounds, you will see a large recreational area with basketball, beach volleyball, softball, football, and recreation fields for off-water workouts. To the right, you will notice lodging and dining facilities located right on the shores of Wyboo Creek.
Wyboo Creek has more than three miles of rowing area and is a half mile wide. There are no obstructions and very little traffic during February, March, and April.
Temperatures during March range from the mid 50's to upper 60's.
You won't find a more suitable place for rowing in this area, and you can enjoy it right here with food, lodging, and recreation for as little as $23.00 per person per day.
What Do We Have to Offer?
Wyboo Creek has more than 3 miles of rowing.
We provide 3 meals a day, and lodging just yards away from the launch site.
Meals are designed by nutrition specialists, crew coaches and rowers.
We have three types of lodging from which to choose, including separate coach's lodging.
We have two 48-foot floating docks, two 40-foot floating docks, and one 24-foot floating dock for easy launching.
Several motor-less launches are available free on a first-come reservation basis.
Our grounds are flat, which makes it easier for shell storage.
Other teams on site can be contacted for competition on our 2000-meter buoyed race course.
We have eight ergometers available for your team's use while not on the water.
We provide a quiet room for studying.
We provide a lounge for rowers to relax, watch TV, or mingle with other rowers.
There are high adventure and team-building courses to bring out the best in your team.
We have traditional recreational activities:
Beach volleyball
Basketball
Football
Softball
Horseshoes
Soccer
We set up a beach volleyball tournament with trophies to the winners.
The area also provides attractions for leisure time and sightseeing, such as the historic and beautiful city of Charleston.
Accident insurance can be provided at a nominal fee.
We have a helpful staff to assist you for the week.
There's More: In addition to the 3 South Carolina Camps mentioned above, There are other 4H camps in South Carolina...as well as camps you're welcome to go to in other States. And Vice Versa. And most Counties participate in summer 4H camps.
To attend County 4-H Summer Camp with your home county,
contact your county extension 4-H agent
In South Carolina; you can also go to: <http://www.clemson.edu/fieldops/Counties/index.htm> for a registration form
You can also contact us at:
(864) 656-3145
SC 4-H Leadership Centers
246 Poole Ag Center
Box 340753
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0753
or E-mail us at lfrager@clemson.edu <mailto:lfragerr@clemson.edu>
Speaking of the National 4H Council web site; it's great, and much more extensive than my page here. In fact, this page is really just a teaser to get you interested in 4H. Once you realize what a great organization 4H is; please go get more information at:
A LITTLE HISTORY OF 4-H
In 1902, 4-H programs began throughout the country in response to young people and their need for a better agricultural education. While the emphasis on education, "learning by doing" and the development of young people continues, the form it takes addresses the changing issues and diverse backgrounds of today's youth. No longer is 4H mainly about Animal Husbandry.
Notice that 1902 was just about a hundred years ago; The 4-H Centennial is coming up. Big plans are in the making. This might be an exciting time to join. <http://www.4hcentennial.org>
EARLY DEVELOPMENT
The roots of 4-H began at the turn of the century when progressive educators started to emphasize the needs of young people and to introduce nature study as a basis for better agricultural education.
Boys' and girls' clubs and leagues were established in schools and churches to meet these needs. To spark the interest of young people, Farmers' Institutes cooperated with school superintendents by promoting production contests, soil tests and plant identification. By March 1904 several boys' and girls' clubs had already exhibited projects. Most states organized clubs outside the schools with rural parents acting as volunteer leaders and County Extension agents providing materials. Farmers saw the practical benefits of the program. Public support and enthusiasm for 4-H grew throughout the nation.
TIES TO FORMAL EDUCATION AND
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
The Morrill Act of 1862 provided federal lands to establish land-grant colleges and universities. In 1890, colleges and universities for black citizens were established in the southern region to insure that all people were served. The state land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintained close contact with the development of 4-H. The land-grant institutions recommended organizing a distinct administrative division in each land-grant institution to direct the many Cooperative Extension activities that were developing. By 1912, virtually all of the land-grant institutions in the southern states had signed cooperative agreements with the USDA and had organized Extension departments.
FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF 4-H
Congressional appropriations to the state land-grant institutions began in 1912 for development of early Extension work within the states. In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative Extension System within the USDA, the state land-grant universities and the county extension offices. Since this early legislation, Congress has continued to support 4-H.
MORE RECENT HISTORY
Through the years, the overall objective of 4-H has remained the same: the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens.4-H serves youth through a variety of methods, such as:
organized clubs
4-H special interest or short term-groups
4-H school enrichment programs
4-H instructional TV
4-H camping
4-H activities to include animal related programs & horseback riding.
school-age child care programs
4-H NAME
The first use of the term "4-H Club" in a federal document appeared in 1918 in a bulletin written by Gertrude L. Warren. By 1924, wider usage of the name "4-H" was adopted. This was used thereafter throughout the world.
4-H EMBLEM
The first emblem design was a three-leaf clover, introduced by O.H. Benson, sometime between 1907-08. From the beginning, the three "H's" signified Head, Heart and Hands. A four-leaf clover design with H's appeared around 1908. In 1911, Benson referred to the need for four H's -- suggesting that they stand for "Head, Heart, Hands, and Hustle. . . head trained to think, plan and reason; heart trained to be true, kind and sympathetic; hands trained to be useful, helpful and skillful; and the hustle to render ready service, to develop health and vitality. . . " In 1911, 4-H club leaders approved the present 4-H emblem design. O.B. Martin is credited with suggesting that the H's signify Head, Heart, Hands and Health -- universally used since then. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924 and Congress passed a law protecting the use of the 4-H name and emblem in 1939, which was slightly revised in 1948. For more information on this topic, visit:
USDA 4-H Name & Emblem Guidelines <http://www.4h-usa.org/4h/4h_name.htm>
4-H PLEDGE
"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."
Otis Hall, State Leader of Kansas, was responsible for the original wording of the 4-H pledge, officially adopted by the State 4-H Leaders at the first National 4-H camp in 1927. The pledge remained unchanged until 1973, when it was revised to include "and my world."
One of new programs in 4H has been the development of the Teaching KATE program. This stands for Teaching Kids About The Environment. Concern for nature, if you've read the short history above, is not new to 4H, but the KATE progam is. Call your local extension agent to find out about what 4H kids in your area are doing and how to join.
As I mentioned above, this page is only intended as an appetizer to let you know that 4H has evolved into a very active youth organization with a wide range of programs and activities available for you. To include living in another country! Marine Biology Camp! Crew Camp! WildLife Camp! Community Projects. Environmental Projects. And Yes, all kinds of Animal Projects to Include Horseback Riding Clubs and events. Take advantage of this. Don't grow up to be a couch potato. Don't let sports be your only interest. Get out and get involved. Visit my pages about Scouting and about Future Farmers of America. Join 4H!
Links to get you started with more information and a feel for what 4H kids are doing:
South Carolina INFORMATION Contact Rick Willey 864-656-3090
National 4H Council The most comprehensive site about 4H
URL: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/Index.htm
List of State Offices and what camps, activities, etc are available in each State. http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/Market/4hinfo/4hextoff.htm
The National 4H Site built by 4H youth <http://www.nae4ha.org/>
A collection of 4-H sites and information from around the country and the world
http://www.4-H.org/fourhweb
The new millennium begins the celebration of nearly one hundred years of excellence in the 4-H Youth Development movement. Building on this 100 year legacy, we are conducting a strategic planning process with the goal of designing 4-H youth development for the next generation of youth. This 4-H strategy process will produce new thinking that is as daring and far-reaching as that which gave birth to the movement nearly 100 years ago.
Born 2 Ride 4H Club
We are a 4H club located in Fauquier County, Virginia. We specialize in horses but are interested in other community projects.
URL: http://born2ride4h.stormloader.com/
Yorktown Midnight Riders 4H Club - Yorktown Midnight Riders 4H Club
http://www.gohamptonroads.com/community/groups/ymriders4hclub
4hmain
Dublin, California Contact: Sharon Clay Ph: (925) 462-4518 E-mail: sharoncl@ix.netcom.com More Than Cows and Cooking! As a true 4-H member, I pledge my Head to clearer thinking,my Heart to greater loyalty,my Hands to larger service,my Health to better...
URL: http://www.dublinonline.com/4hclub
Irvine Mesa Charros 4-H Club - Goats
Viewers considering getting a goat can start here to learn the basics of husbandry, and breeding and showing, or explore related links.
URL: http://www.ics.uci.edu/~pazzani/4H/Goats.html
4H Club http://expage.com/page/4hcenter
4h Club Summer Activities for Riding Clubs http://horses.about.com/library/weekly/aa060199.htm
Boulder Creek 4H Computer Project
Welcome to the Boulder Creek 4-H Page. Boulder Creek is in the Santa Cruz Mountains, between Santa Cruz and San Jose. We are on Highway 9. Here is a map to Boulder Creek. As a true 4-h member, I pledge my head for clearer thinking, http://www.kjsl.com/~bldrck4h
The club's purpose is to give physically or mentally challenged children and adults the opportunity to enjoy working with animals and build their self-confidence.
Are You Into It TM is a program for kids who care. Helping out and having fun, that's what we're into. By combining your concerns about the community and the world with our resources, we can really make a difference:
Read about events, conferences, seminars, projects, scholarships and the Canadian provincial agencies of this international youth organization.
Indiana 4-H Foundation
About Programs Board of Directors Staff Corporate Development Council Recipe Book 4-H License Plate Clover Patch News County Offices Fair Dates 4-H What is 4-H? National 4-H Council Purdue 4-H Request Inform
URL: http://www.4h.org/
4H Club: Cowichan Region and Valley Cowichan Valley B.C. Information base including Duncan, Shawnigan Lake, Chemainus, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Crofton, Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Our Club Activities... See what we are up to and what we have done by exploring our Past and Present 4H club activities. 1999 Florida State Wildlife Habitat Competition - First Place - Largo, Florida.
The oldest 4H club in Manhattan, Kansas, Established in 1928, invites you to visit them. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and we meet at Pottorf Hall in CICO Park, Manhattan, Kansas: http://www.ltlapple.com/4h/STRONG/Welcome.htm
Effective 4-H Club Meetings,
Well-planned meetings allow youth to: acquire new knowledge and share ideas; develop self-confidence and leadership; participate in decision making URL: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/4h-fact/0006.html
National 4-H
Support youth through a series of leadership programs including recycling projects. Provides success narratives and contact details. URL: http://www.4-h.org/
THE 4 -H CLUB OF ANZA, CA.
Welcome to our homepageThere is much more to 4-H than raising animals.We have projects on cooking, hiking, photography, crafts, rc cars, sewing, and computers. Of course we also have the animals projects that 4-H is famous for http://www.pe.net/~sidecar/4-H.html
Peninsula 4H
Peninsula 4H Club This is a government sponsored agricultural program for young people ages 9-19. Active clubs in the South Malahat District are Sheep, Beef, Rabbit, Horse, Dog, Small Engines, and Fibre Craft .Leaders are currently needed for Computers
URL: http://www.islandnet.com/cslions/4h.html
Romeo K9 and Kompany 4H Club
K-9 and Kompany 4-H Club If you are between 8-18 and want to learn more about dogs and 4H, join us! Have fun with your dog and participate in the following activities: Dog Obedience, Agility and Showmanship Crafts Veterinary Science...
URL: http://www.msen.com/~duemling/k9
The Horse of Course 4-H Club, Washington HI. My name is Jackie Deutsch. I am a member of the Horse of Course 4-H Club in Pierce County, Washington. I am seeking sponsors to help us put on a club show. We are proud to announce ads for our sponsors
URL: http://www.equiworld.net/uk/ezine/0101/horseofcourse4h.htm
Horsefun
Join the Horselovers Club to learn about horses, solve puzzles, enter contests, and find international pony pals.
http://horsefun.com/
4-H Home Page
Agriculture/Natural Resources | 4-H News | Family/Consumer Sciences | Rural Development | Welcome | Events Calendar Robert B. Hutchins Co. Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development E-mail -- rhutchin@ca.uky.edu
http://www.ca.uky.edu/county/LaRue/home/4hhome.htm
4H makes kids think as team members. Participating in club activities gives 4H members an excellent opportunity to developing leadership and presentation skills. 4H members find different ways of looking at issues facing...
URL: http://www.4h-liitto.fi/hhhh.htm
