Shelby County 4-H Youth Opportunities

September 5, 2017 - When you think of 4-H most think of a youth organization that provides opportunities with the livestock, horses, food, textiles, photography, shooting sports, and leadership, just to name a few.  These projects are some of the banner programs that are offered but 4-H is more than that.  This year, Shelby County 4-H has kicked-off two new projects, Robotics and Archery.  In addition, Shelby County 4-H Club now has a permanent monthly meeting place at the new Extension office located at 266 Nacogdoches Street in Center.

September 4-H Club Meeting

The monthly club meeting will be held on Monday, September 11th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Extension office. This is a fun time for youth and parents to learn more about the different 4-H projects, participate in a learning experience based upon the monthly theme, have exciting recreation activities, and do a make and take art, craft or cooking activity. 

The club theme this month is “all about chickens.” Parents will be provided information on enrolling in 4-H, a new enrollment incentive program for the youth, scholarship opportunities, and learn about the East Texas Poultry Festival broiler show and creative arts show and how their child can participate in this event. Youth will meet at the gym building and participate in several fun races, including an egg toss and will make a personalized 4-H clover handprint painting. They will also learn the 4-H pledge and motto and enjoy making new friends.

Upcoming Project Meetings

The Food project will meet on Saturday, September 9th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Extension office.  At this project meeting, the youth will be learning how to can jams and jellies.  Each child will make a jar of jam to take home.  The Textiles project will meet on the same date from 12:00 to 1:30 pm.  We will be learning to use a sewing machine to create a 4-H throw pillow and how to develop a storyboard to show creative expression.  So, bring a sack lunch and stay for both food and textiles on Saturday, September 9th. 

The Robotics project will meet on Sunday, September 10th from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at the Extension gym building. Come out and learn about constructing a robot from Legos and developing software to make the robot function.

Other projects kicking off this month on September 18th include and Livestock (beef, goat, lamb, rabbit) at 5:00 p.m. and Shotgun at 6:00 p.m., both at the Extension office. Taxidermy will kick-off on Monday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the McGown Farm (call for directions). Archery, photography, horse, will kick-off in October.

Please RSVP by phone to 598-7744 or by email to daphnellovell@ag.tamu.edu if your child will be participating in any of these three project meetings so that we can ensure adequate supplies are available.

What is 4-H?

Did you know that 4-H is the nation’s largest youth organization? Worldwide, there are over 6 million youth who participate. 4-H is in all 254 Texas counties, in all 50 states and in more than 80 countries. Over 591,000 of Texas young people are involved in 4-H. All you have to do is look at your local level to find young people taking the lead in addressing today’s challenges. In Texas, 4-H is a part of The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, a part of the Texas A&M University System. 4-H takes research-based information from the nation’s land-grant universities to youth in urban, small-town and rural communities. In Texas, 4-H is headquartered on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.

Using the four-leaf clover for its emblem, each leaf carries an H. The four H's on the four-leaf clover stand for head, heart, hands and health. 4-H follows the philosophy of learning by doing. Youth develop life skills through hands-on projects that range from citizenship to expressive arts, communication to foods and nutrition, and leadership to science and technology. 4-H is for youth in grades 3 through 12. Youth can belong to 4-H individually or as members of clubs and groups. They can make new friends, visit new places, go on trips, attend workshops and conferences, host meetings and help their communities. 4-H is where young people explore, learn and discover in a safe environment. In 4-H, youth find their true passions, gain confidence and give back to their community.

A National Positive Youth Development study shows that 4-Hers are nearly 5 times more likely to graduate from college, 4 times more likely to actively contribute to their community. 4-H members are also 3 times more likely to be physically active than non-4-H members and 2 times more likely to pursue a career in science, engineering or computers. The 4-H program in Texas also is led by 29,996 volunteer 4-H leaders that serve and devote their time and talents to the youth of Texas!  

Need more information?

For more information on the Texas 4-H program and how you can become involved at the local level, call the Shelby County Extension office at 936-598-7744.  Youth enrolled in 4-H by September 20th will receive a free Shelby County 4-H t-shirt.