ST. GEORGE — More than 6 million young people across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week, an annual celebration of 4-H, during the first full week of October. Washington County 4-H will leverage National 4-H Week this year to showcase the great things that 4-H offers young people and highlights the incredible 4-H youth in the community who work each day to make a positive impact on the community.

“Youth in 4-H learn life skills which prepare them to be the leaders, scientists, and engineers of tomorrow,” said Paul Hill, Utah State University Associate Professor and 4-H Extension Agent. Hill has been instrumental in implementing successful science, technology, engineering and math programs, camps, and clubs in our area and has recruited many knowledgeable volunteers to help inspire the youth.

Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are:

• Nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities
• Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors
• Two times more likely to engage in STEM programs in the out-of-school time

In Washington County more than 1000 4-H youth and 300 volunteers from the community are involved in 4‑H.

National 4-H Week

During National 4-H Week, hundreds of thousands of youth from all around the nation will complete a single, innovative experiment on 4-H National Youth Science Day, which will be held on Wednesday. The 2014 National Science Experiment, Rockets to the Rescue, will task youth to design and build an aerodynamic food transportation device that can deliver a payload of nutritious food to fictitious disaster victims.

Youth will learn engineering concepts, develop math skills, learn about nutrition and help solve a relevant, global issue. To learn more, visit the National Youth Science Day website or the 4-H website.

About 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the United States Department of Agriculture.

Resources

• 4-H Website | Twitter

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