Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2006

4-H Exploration Days First-Timers Enjoy and Learn From Experience

Sandra Kao

For the first time ever, Tuscola County 4-H partnered with its local technology center to send many “first timer” youths to 4-H Exploration Days June 22-24 at Michigan State University (MSU). The Tuscola Technology Center received a grant from Michigan Works! for its career preparation program that enabled it to send 43 youths 14 years or older to attend 4-H Exploration Days—30 on a full scholarship.

For all but eight of the teens, it was their first time visiting the MSU campus, said Michelle Peel, Tuscola county MSU Extension educator.

Most of the youth from the center who attended Exploration Days had not been 4-H members initially, and some have since matriculated into 4-H, Peel said.

“The kids would all like to attend again,” Peel said. “It was the first time for many of them. They felt good that they’d learned something. Getting exposed to classes and dorm life on campus was a very good experience for them.”