4-H Open House Offers Chance To Explore The 4-H Program
WARSAW — Attention elementary, middle and high school students. Do you go to the fair every July and love seeing the projects or petting the animals? Now is your chance to get in on the action and see why 4-H is the club for you.
Youth grades three through 12 and their families will have the chance to explore the many opportunities offered by the Kosciusko County 4-H Program at the second annual 4-H open house Saturday, Nov. 17. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Home and Family Arts building, 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw.
A free hot dog bar will be offered along with make-and-take crafts, bicycle safety and other live demonstrations, as well as interactive booths showcasing the Kosciusko County 4-H program. Attendees will be able to interact with leaders and current members involved in blacksmithing, welding, fire education, livestock projects and more.
“We are excited to be able to offer this event to the community where families can come learn if 4-H is a right fit for them,” said Youth Development Educator Mindy Wise. “I love when families come out to one of these events because they learn that 4-H truly does offer something for everyone.”
The Kosciusko County 4-H program hosts nearly 800 members in grades K-12 in 20 clubs in Kosciusko County. Members explore study topics and gain life skills in the categories of animal science, communication and expressive arts, crafts, engineering and technological science, fashion and design, foods, healthy living, leadership and citizenship, and plant and environmental science. 4-H membership offers youth the chance to participate in camps, educational workshops, state and national trips, Career Development Events and competitions, and scholarships.
The Kosciusko County 4-H program helps future generations explore career options and shapes young people into not only positive, active citizens, but also leaders. During the 2017-18 program year members reported having learned social skills, teamwork, problem solving, responsibility, record-keeping, resourcefulness, goal-setting and more, through their 4-H activities.
In the National Call for Data Survey 84 percent of members said they work to help others reach their goals. This is accomplished in programs such as Poss-Abilities which offers accommodations and a peer mentor for youth with special needs who are interested in animals and other 4-H opportunities. 94 percent also reported treating others as they want to be treated and 84 percent think about how their choices will affect others.
“It is this sense of social responsibility that sets 4-H members apart from the crowd,” Wise said. “We are charged with the crucial responsibility of educating youth, with the goal of not only growing their knowledge but developing their life skills.”
Enrollment is currently open at in.4honline.com and is due Jan. 15. Contact the Kosciusko County Purdue Extension Office at (574) 372-2340, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, for more information about the open house or 4-H enrollment.