Whether you’re homeschooling your children, or are simply looking for extracurricular activities, 4-H is a wonderful option! 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. Children can learn about farming, wood-working, archery, photography, art, science, sewing, insect collecting, animals, cooking/canning, and so much more! The possibilities of what they can learn and accomplish are endless.

About 4-H

4-H began over 100 years ago, and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. Backed by a network of more than 6 million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni; 4-H delivers research-based programming around positive youth development. 4-H is delivered through America’s 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service—reaching every corner of our nation. In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties as delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, after-school programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program.

Indiana 4-H Mission:

The Indiana 4-H Youth Development mission is to provide real-life educational opportunities that develop young people who will have a positive impact in their communities and the world.

Indiana 4-H Vision:

Indiana 4-H Youth Development strives to be the premier, community-based program empowering young people to reach their full potential.

Projects

Members have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter that they choose to study through completing hands on activities. We refer to these as projects. In order to enroll in a project, members must sign up for them at the time of enrolling in 4-H. Each project has a manual that guides the youth through the learning process as well as a set of guidelines that helps them meet the project requirements. We provide adult volunteers and staff who are knowledgeable on that particular subject who will often times provide workshops to allow the youth to learn about that topic in a social environment. Each project has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level-this allows youth to build on their knowledge each year and continue to challenge their skills. Projects are meant to be worked on over time, providing an educational opportunity for youth outside of the classroom setting. Often times, youth will exhibit and display their project at a local county fair in order to show the community what they have learned.

As you complete your projects use 4-H-620-W “My Record of 4-H Achievement” to keep detailed records of your exhibits. Click here for a Microsoft Word version of the “My Record of 4-H Achievement.”

There is no limit to the number of projects youth can sign up for, however, we suggest starting out with one or two your first year. If you know what project(s) you are looking for, simply find it listed under a specific category listed below.

Animal Science

Communication and Expressive Arts

Engineering and Technological Science

Healthy Living

Leadership and Citizenship

Plant and Environmental Science

Mini 4-H (Grades K-2)

Join 4-H

Want to get involved? Contact your local County Extension Office to find out what clubs meet in your area. Click here to enroll in 4HOnline as a 4-H club member!

Here are a few of our favorite 4-H activity products!

41tr1CDKNxL._SY355_ — Insect Collecting Kit

616q-gxY+EL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_ — Weather Forecasting

airstreammachines_640_detail — Air-stream Machines

61o9gczr28l._sx258_bo1,204,203,200__622_detail — The Woodland Homestead

a-kids-guide---your-chicken_2040_detail — Guide to Raising Chickens

a1ozvr4d0zl_2181_detail — Garden activities

Sometimes, I need a little reminder that it’s okay to slow down.

I feel like I am constantly rushing from one task to the next and I feel (no – I know) I am missing out on some of the little day to day joys that come with motherhood. Between working full time, keeping a home, real estate, being a good wife and keeping up friendships, I am constantly on the go. I must admit that while I am there in body, sometimes my mind is already racing ahead thinking about everything else I need to do. I’m rarely fully present.

Last week, my baby had some pretty serious teething going on. Thankfully, I was able to take the entire week off to be at home with him. It was refreshing. Refreshing to be fully present with him. No schedule, no rushing, just home. I watched him play, we read books, built towers so he could joyously knock them over, napped together, made banana muffins, mixed about 10 different colors of clay together, and so much more. It was wonderful to be reminded that time is fleeting, and it’s okay to stop rushing through the daily tasks of a busy life. 🙂

slow down mummy, there is no need to rush,
slow down mummy, what is all the fuss?
slow down mummy, make yourself a cup tea.
Slow down mummy, come and spend some… time with me.

slow down mummy, lets put our boots on and go out for a walk,
lets kick at piles of leaves, and smile and laugh and talk.
slow down mummy, you look ever so tired,
come sit and snuggle under the duvet and rest with me a while.

slow down mummy, those dirty dishes can wait,
slow down mummy, lets have some fun, lets bake a cake!
slow down mummy I know you work a lot,
but sometimes mummy, its nice when you just stop.

sit with us a minute,
and listen to our day,
spend a cherished moment,
because our childhood is not here to stay!

R.Knight 2011

Tag: mommy life

Empowering Young People to Reach Their Full Potential