I. Extension 4-H is:

• a non-formal youth education program, emphasizing hands-on and experiential learning

• a method of helping youth and parents (and other caring adults) to help themselves in organizing youth development experiences and activities

• open to all county youth (city, town, subdivision, rural and farm)

• focused primarily on youth, ages 6-19, but younger youth are often involved (awards ages are 9-19); besides nearly 1000 youth in 4-H clubs, 1200 - 1500 others are reached annually in short-term activities

• made possible by volunteer commitments (195 adults, 143 teen leaders)

• the youth program of the M.S.U. Extension, which is found in every state and nearly all counties in the United States

• cooperatively funded by Lapeer County Board of Commissioners, Michigan State University (State of Michigan), and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; however, nearly all program costs must be privately raised at the club or county level. (United Way and the annual Public Auction for 4-H/Celebrity Items Auction are major sources for county program funds).

II. 4-H uses many educational delivery methods:

1) 4-H CLUBS: over 65 local clubs, which involved almost 1000 youth. Clubs are 4-H's most important educational method, because youth are in on-going groups with caring adult volunteer guidance.

2) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS: usually short-term and youth do not have much role in making decisions for the group.

3) MINI-CLUBS: short-term clubs, which have at least 6 sessions and some youth decision-making roles.

4) INDIVIDUAL (FAMILY) PROGRAM: the Youth & Family program allows kids to be "mailbox" members, receiving 4-H information and educational opportunities on an on-going basis.

5) CLASSES: usually a series of sessions to train youth in a specific skill.

6) WORKSHOPS: offered as a one-time session for skill training; some are for youth and some are for adult volunteers. Many of the 4-H workshops are open to both 4-H club members and youth from the general public. "Magic Monday/Thingamajig Thursday" series offered three times each year are probably best known. Call to be on a list to receive registration flyers.

7) EVENTS: the largest of county events are the 4-H Youth Division at the Fair and 4-H Spring Achievement/Style Revue. Events are for already involved youth and volunteers and families. Some are social as well as educational.

8) WRITTEN MATERIALS: M.S.U. Extension has hundreds of bulletins written for youth to learn from and for adults to use in working with youth. These and many educational resource notebooks (for loan) are available for any youth or youth group.

9) AUDIO-VISUALS: Lapeer 4-H now has a videotape library with 1,000 educational videos; loanable for a week to anyone. Many other AV materials exist; most are ordered from M.S.U. and used by 4-H clubs and other youth programs (by special arrangement).

10) CAMPING: at least one 3-night/4-day camp for youth ages 7-12 will be open for about 120 youth; 30 older teens volunteer to run camp. Other camping experiences possible, depending upon staff and funds.

11) SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS: a number of prepared resources for teachers to use in the classroom exist; best known are "Blue Sky" (space exploration) and Japanese quail or poultry (incubation). A catalog now has been printed to show other learning program options. Youth groups can also use these programs.

12) RECOGNIZE A YOUTH (RAY) PROGRAM: youth doing learning activities and projects on their own (not part of organized youth group or school) can get special recognition ribbon, photo and chance for $50 U.S. savings bond. A caring parent/other adult calls 4-H to schedule an interview.

13) COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES: offered to teens primarily, including 4-H Service Club, Camp Counselors, Horseback Riding for Handicappers and Migrant School activities.

14) TRIPS/TOURS/EXCHANGES: most recently 4-H has been experimenting with one-day bus trips to learning sites. Most overnight trips and exchanges are for 4-H members.

15) MEDIA EDUCATION: staff and volunteers write articles periodically, primarily for newspapers, as a way of educating the general public on a variety of topics.

16) PERSONAL HELP: staff of M.S.U. Extension (county/area/M.S.U.) and volunteers provide training to various groups and also individual consultation on various youth topics.

III. 4-H has resources for youth, families, schools, and other organizations working with youth

* All of the resources of the M.S.U. Extension 4-H Youth Program are available to the community. Some involve an on-going commitment (e.g. club membership), but most are available to any youth, family, or youth program on a free or low-cost basis. (4-H club members don't pay dues to the county program.)

* The M.S.U. Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Program staff also is a resource to parents and organizations on such topics as: parenting skills, money management, stress, nutrition and family demographics. 4-H and Family & Consumer Sciences are major components of the M.S.U. Extension Children, Youth & Family Program Area.

* Regional, state, and national teen and adult (volunteer) events & training are offered.

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