Skill development doesn’t have to be dry and boring. It can be stimulating and entertaining. That’s what 4-H brings to education. That’s why kids--and their parents--keep coming back to 4-H . . . year after year . . . generation after generation.

• Imagine kids preparing for--and looking forward to--a Saturday competition! They do . . . to show their critical thinking skills . . . about horses, (4 pp, PDF, 801K) horticulture, land use, and many other topics. Public school teachers say they can spot 4-H’ers when they stand up before a class to give a visual presentation. 4-H skill development events pay off in school and later on the job!  Extension educators hear that testimony over and over again!
• Kids love 4-H camp. 4-H camp is summer learning (2 pp, PDF, 1.9MB) . . . at its finest! 4-H’ers have a variety of camps to choose from. Even one that helps them improve their Spanish. (2 pp, PDF, 243K)
• 4-H’ers get down to business during 4-H meetings. 4-H’ers learn to conduct their own business meetings (adults to the side, please!). Formal meetings create opportunities for youths to learn about making and implementing all kinds of plans.
• 4-H’ers are encouraged to dream . . . and 4-H helps them figure out how to make those dreams turn into successful realities--whether those dreams are to be a 4-H international exchangee or a family physician.