Judy Dasovich talks with Monica Spittler, 4-H youth development specialist for University of Missouri Extension serving Christian, Stone and Taney Counties, about 4-H and what it offers.
Head, Heart, Hand and Health are the four H's in 4-H. These stand for the following values and skills: managing and thinking; relating and caring; giving and working; being and living. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Children and youth ages 5-18 are eligible. They can participate in a variety of ways, including school programs, after school programs, clubs and camps.
4-H is funded publicly through federal, state and county governments and privately through foundations, councils, sponsoring committees and individual donors. Many adults who work in the program are volunteers. Since 4-H began more than 100 years ago, it has become the nation's largest youth development organization. The original idea was to help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities and develop ideas for a more innovative economy.
Today, 4-H serves children and youth in rural, suburban and urban communities in all 50 states. The range of activities is wide. There are many opportunities in the agricultural and animal sciences. 4-H also offers a variety of "STEM" opportunities, which include science, technology, engineering and mathematics--areas believed to prepare our future leaders to improve the nation's ability to take on the challenges of the 21st century.
Monica Spittler can be reached at spittlerm@missouri.edu and (417)546-4431.
