Youth To Celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 1-7For the 75th consecutive year, millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will be celebrating National 4-H Week during the first full week of October.
Kosciusko 4-H will recognize the week by showcasing the experiences that 4-H offers young people, and will highlight 4-H youth who work to make a positive impact on those around them, according to a press release from Purdue Extension of Kosciusko County.
Kosciusko County 4-H will kick off National 4-H Week with its fall Achievement night on Sunday.
At this event, members and volunteers will be recognized for their acheivements and there will be a recap of the highlights of 2017.
Members also will look forward to the next program year with election of new 4-H council members.
4-H members will hear from 4-H’er Madelyn Zimmerman, who traveled with 4-H and the extension to the Virgin Islands last summer.
4-H members also will be at Warsaw’s First Friday event, where families can complete a hands-on activity and interact with members and leaders.
“4-H focuses on youth development, not just in traditional aspects of agriculture and animals, but also in science, technology, engineering, math, healthy living, citizenship and leadership,” said Mindy Wise, 4-H youth development educator.
“We use a variety of tools — pigs, chickens, baking, sewing, rocket launches, and community service projects — to teach youth teamwork, responsibility, problem solving, resiliency and compassion.
"We are specifically excited about our PossABILITIES program that targets youth with special needs, pairs them with a mentor family, educates them about livestock, and makes any necessary accommodations so they can exhibit at the fair. Through this experience, participants and mentors have gained an understanding for others, and life-long friendships that continue outside of the 4-H Arena," Wise said.
Other program highlights include a new fire education project that will partner youth with the Warsaw Fire Department for hands-on education and potential volunteer or career opportunities.
4-H also offers training in welding, shooting sports/ firearm safety and blacksmithing to youth as young as third grade.
Mini members, K-2 students can explore any of the livestock projects, even if they do not own their own animals.
Young people from kindergarten through 12th grade from any background can enroll online in Kosciusko County 4-H at in.4HOnline.com from Oct. 1 through Jan. 15.
