Utah 4-H Centennial Celebration July 12 to 14
Thursday, Jul. 05, 2012
Utah 4-H celebrates its centennial Thursday, July 12, through Saturday, July 14 at Utah State University.
In today's 4-H, members can become a junior master gardener and the results are impressive.
4-H has grown during the last century to include offerings such as rocketry, robotics and global positioning systems. Members of the USU Extension 4-H robotic clubs competed for national scholarships.
The year 2012 marks the centennial for Utah State University Extension 4-H, part of the nation’s largest youth development organization. The theme, “Celebrating the Past, Creating the Future,” has been integrated into 4-H events held in counties through the year, with the key celebration at Utah State University Thursday, July 12, through Saturday, July 14.
According to Stacey MacArthur, USU Extension assistant professor for 4-H volunteer development, state celebration activities include Leadermete workshops, youth contests, a 4-H alumni reunion, 4-H Hall of Fame awards, banquets, a barbecue on the Quad, games, alumni contests and awards.
“The Leadermete workshops, which are geared for adults and teens, include such topics as personal enrichment, marriage and family, arts and crafts, gardening, health, sewing, cooking, 4-H clubs, horses and teen classes,” MacArthur said. “We have between 13 and 16 workshop choices per hour in addition to all the other events. We also have kid tracks, which are interactive activities for youth in third to fifth grades and sixth to eighth grades, so there is definitely something for everyone.”
Cost for Leadermete events is $20 and includes workshops, admission to the Logan Aquatic Center, a movie on the Quad, alumni contests and a dance. Leadermete events require preregistration, which closed July 1.
Kevin Kesler, USU Extension director of Utah 4-H programs, said though 4-H is widely known for its early roots in cooking and agriculture, the program has grown during the last century to include offerings such as rocketry, robotics and global positioning systems.
Kesler said it is his goal that by the end of the 4-H centennial year, everyone in the state will know that 4-H is alive and well.
“We invite everyone to join 4-H alumni and friends in ‘Celebrating the Past, Creating the Future,’” he said.
For further information on Utah Extension’s 4-H centennial celebration, contact the USU Extension state 4-H office at 435-797-4444 or the Utah 4-H website.
Related links:
Utah State University Extension
Contact: Stacey MacArthur, USU Extension assistant professor, 4-H volunteer development, 435-797-2202, stacey.macarthur@usu.edu
Writer: Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension writer, 435-797-0810, julene.reese@usu.edu
