I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
And my health to better living,
For my club, my community, and my country.
And that is just the beginning! If you've never heard of 4-H then this post is for you... if you're considering joining 4-H, this post is for you... and if you're a long time 4-H member, this post is also for you to celebrate all that 4-H has given you!
The 4-H program, in my opinion, is one of the most beneficial and rewarding youth organizations to be a part of as a member, parent, leader, etc. Not only do members learn about their chosen project area (whether it be beef, horse, dairy, sheep, swine, dogs, rabbits, reindeer, photography, archery, crafts, cooking/baking, small engines, outdoor pursuits, or the multitude of other project areas members can participate in) but members are also given the skills necessary to excel in whatever path they choose to pursue in life. These skills include public speaking, judging, record keeping, marketing, money management, meeting organization, leadership, team work, and problem solving.
Beyond the club, 4-H members have an abundance of other district, regional, and provincial activities that they can participate in. Many districts and regions have fun days, clinics or workshops, judging competitions, shows, etc. On a provincial level, all members have the opportunity to attend summer camps and shows. Each year the top 4-H members in the province are selected by their regional specialist to attend Provincial 4-H Selections. At this program members' 4-H experience, 4-H knowledge, and interpersonal and group work skills can earn them the chance to go on one of many travel opportunities, become an ambassador of 4-H for their region, or even become the Premier's Award Winner. If you excel in multi judging you may be chosen to compete in the Provincial Multi Judging Competition where you can win a trip to be on one of the livestock judging teams that represents Alberta 4-H at many national judging competitions. Beyond the events mentioned above, there are also numerous other chances to be awarded travel and exchange opportunities.
I can speak from experience that going on a 4-H trip is AWESOME! This past January I traveled to Denver, Colorado along with the three other members representing Alberta 4-H in the National Western Stock Show Judging Competition; Cara Noble, Katelyn Dietrich, and Luke Marshall. We were accompanied by our wonderful chaperone, Carolyn Templeton, and the Alberta 4-H Hippology Team; Amanda Hughes (also this year's Premier's Award Winner - go Amanda!!), Lindsey Salomons, Lauren Crick, and Mykayla Sorensen, and their chaperone Kenda Lubeck. We had an amazing few days in Denver judging, meeting 4-H members from across the USA, having fun at the large gatherings which included a dance, tricycle races, rock climbing and my favourite... the mechanical bull riding! We also spent our last day at the National Western Stock Show. I was lucky to go with such an awesome group of people, and it was definitely one of the highlights of my "4-H career". So my message here is that for those of you who don't like judging... don't give up, if you work hard at it you might just get the chance to travel somewhere and have a really fun time!
This year I am also a Key Member for the Mountain View 4-H District. This position puts me in the forefront to help other clubs in our district. As a Key Member I, along with my other Mountain View 4-H District Key Member, Zach Caukill, work to organize district fun days, clinics and workshops, and help out wherever needed in the clubs. Becoming a Key Member is very simple, just contact your regional specialist. It is a great opportunity to expand beyond your club, become a leader in your community, and it looks really good on a resume!
If you are just joining 4-H or are a long time member, I would encourage you to attend as many meetings beyond your club as possible. Your leader may or may not be attending these meetings already, but it is still good to go so you have the first hand knowledge of what is going on within that committee. Currently I attend Show & Sale meetings, Mountain View 4-H District meetings, Sundre & District Agricultural Society meetings, and 4-H on Parade meetings as the Heifer Committee Secretary... it keeps me very busy, but it also keeps me very informed on what's going on and gives me the ability to have some input.
As you near the end of your time as a 4-Her (which I am not looking forward to!) you will likely be thinking about what you're going to do after high school and how you're going to pay for it. Another awesome thing about 4-H... they give out a ton of scholarships to grade 12 students! All you have to do is follow the instructions to fill out the application on the Alberta 4-H website and submit your transcript and you will be considered for all the scholarships that apply to you!
Alright, to wrap this up... 4-H has influenced me in so many ways and I have gained so many skills I would never have developed without this program and the opportunities it gives youth. I have also met a whole bunch of really amazing people through the 4-H program and the provincial programs. If you ever go to a provincial 4-H program and you don't know anyone (which will only happen the first time I promise!), no need to worry, because 4-H members are the most accepting, upbeat, inclusive people you will ever meet and chances are you will have a few new best friends before the program is over!
I just can't sing 4-H's praises loud enough! If you are pondering whether to join or not I would strongly encourage you to join, it's only for a year, and if you decide it's really not your thing after that you don't have to join the next year. But you just might discover it is the best decision you ever made!
And if you're still not convinced...
The following information was gathered from the Alberta 4-H website www.4h.ab.ca:
According to the Measures of Success Surveys conducted by Ipsos Reid and the Canadian 4‑H Council:
| 31% | of alumni have completed a degree, certificate or diploma compared to 16% nation-wide |
| 85% | of alumni recommend membership |
| 88% | of leaders surveyed say the key goals and objectives of 4‑H are relevant to today's youth |
| 89% | of the leaders surveyed say the 4‑H program is beneficial or very beneficial to today's youth in terms of contributing to their personal or career experiences later in life |
For more information on everything about Alberta 4-H go to
www.4h.ab.ca
Best of luck to all the current 4-H members who have upcoming achievement days!
