TIGblogs - Dennis Dames

The University of Florida Extension Agents Geralyn Sachs and Andy Toelle, and Florida 4-H youths – Emily Stutsman; Duval County President, Sarah Sherman; St. Johns County President, Jared Padgett; Florida 4-H President and Joel Weaver; Florida 4-H Treasurer in collaboration with the Lignum Viate Centre of Hope conducted a training seminar for two days – May 12 and 13, 2011 – in the structure of the 4-H club for Urban Renewal staff and volunteers at the Lignum Viate Center of Hope – East Bay Street - Nassau, N.P. - The Bahamas.

Good ideas and suggestions were shared about tailoring the programme to serve Bahamian youngsters most effectively from a local perspective while maintaining the 4-H brand.

It was an enlightening experience for the participants, and lots of enthusiasm and interests were involved in the learning experience that will no doubt be relayed to the communities in which we serve – for the better of our children and future.

About 4-H:

4-H is one of the largest youth development programs in America with more than 6.5 million young people, ages 5-19, and 540,000 youth and adult volunteers.

4-H has three primary areas: science, engineering and technology; healthy living; and citizenship.

4-H is the only youth program with direct access to technological advances from university research.

Youth learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills through more than 1,000 projects with topics as varied as rocketry, GPS mapping, computer game design, public speaking, photography, nutrition and community service.

4-H’s learning opportunities are intentionally designed around four essential elements necessary for positive youth development by providing youth with: supervised independence, a sense of belonging with a positive group, a spirit of generosity toward others and a wide variety of opportunities to master life challenges.

The fundamental 4-H ideal of practical, “learn by doing” experiences encourages youth to experiment, innovate, and think independently.

4-H programs are offered through community clubs; school-based, after-school and camp settings; and U.S. military installations worldwide.

4-H is in every community across America. During 2005, 25 percent of 4-H members lived in urban communities, 32 percent in suburban communities and 43 percent in rural communities. 4-H is located in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and U.S. territories and U.S. military installations worldwide.

Studies show that 4-H members do better in school, are more motivated to help others, feel safe to try new things, achieve a sense of self-esteem, and develop lasting relationships.

4-H is operated and supported by a shared leadership of public and private partners including National 4-H Headquarters, USDA within the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; 3,500 Cooperative Extension educators associated with 106 land-grant universities; National 4-H Council; 4-H associations and foundations; and trained youth volunteers.

More than 60 million young people across America have been 4-H members since the 4-H Youth Development program began in 1902. Famous alumni include Al Gore, Faith Hill and David Letterman. Also, 14 governors, 33 university presidents and chancellors, 31 CEOs and four astronauts are 4H alumni.

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