Belmont County 4-H Week will be celebrated across the county on February 12-18, 2012 as 4-H youth and volunteers will be actively informing Ohio citizens about the 4-H program and how it can and will benefit participants, families and their communities.
According to Jane Keyser, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development and County Director, Ohio State University Extension Belmont County, people will be hearing and seeing something about 4-H in locations around the county. Window displays, school displays, radio spots and newspaper articles will be some of the 4-H promotional methods utilized around the county.
Keyser said the special promotional effort is specifically intended to increase public awareness of the 4-H program, excite current 4-H members, and to recruit new 4-H members and volunteer leaders in Belmont County.
“With its emphasis on the learn-by-doing approach, the 4-H program is really appealing to young people and allows them to explore current and new interests that they may have,” Keyser said. “We really put an emphasis on encouraging kids to try new things in 4-H.”
Locally, there are plans to hold some special activities to promote the 4-H Youth Development movement. According to Keyser, they are encouraging their current 4-H community clubs to create window displays and give promotional talks about their positive 4-H experiences in their local area to help recruit new 4-H members.
The culmination of the week’s activities will occur on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at Union Local Middle School at the annual 4-H Under Construction event which begins with registration at 8:15 a.m. “Our motto is ‘To Make the Best Better’ and that is exactly what we are trying to do here in Belmont County. This event gives us the opportunity to construct our 4-H members into competent, caring and contributing citizens and our volunteers into caring and supportive mentors that help youth through the hands-on learning process”, said Michelle Fehr, Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio State University. According to Fehr, during this event 4-H members and volunteers will be recognized for their achievements and service in the 4-H program in 2011, receive officer and advisor training for 2012 and have the opportunity to participate in several educational sessions about specific program activities, projects and opportunities for 2012.
“We’re hoping that anyone who is interested in learning more about our local 4-H program and the many opportunities it offers will attend 4-H Under Construction,” said Keyser. Now is the time of year when new 4-H clubs are forming, and it is an excellent time for youth to enroll in the 4-H program, Keyser added.
For more information about the 4-H program, please contact the Belmont County OSU Extension office at 740-695-1455 or http://belmont.osu.edu.
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