Discover 4-H Clubs in 2014 By: Julene Reese, USU Extension writer
�e Utah 4-H program
recently launched a new curriculum designed to guide new or seasoned 4-H volunteer leaders through the process of starting a 4-H club or exploring a new project area. “We have received calls from parents and others who want to become volunteer leaders for a 4-H club, but they don’t know where to start,” said Stacey MacArthur, Extension assistant professor for the Utah State 4-H office. “Our new program, ‘Discover 4-H Clubs’ is designed for them. It walks them through the process of starting a club and gives them stepby-step instructions so it’s not so overwhelming.” There are currently more than a dozen project areas such as cooking up science, cake decorating, sewing, forces of nature, robotics and shooting sports, with more being added all the time. Each of these areas has a step-by-step outline that includes everything needed to organize a club and hold the first six club meetings. “At the end of the six meetings, club members can then try a different project area, or they can move on to the regular
14 | Live Well Utah
4-H curriculum for their current project area,” MacArthur said. Volunteers may be concerned that they don’t have the necessary tools or materials needed for a club, but most of these can be checked out at the local USU Extension county office. “Our county office employees are a wonderful support and will do all they can to help make volunteering a great experience,” MacArthur said. Utah 4-H is the youth development program of USU Extension and has more than 90,000 youth participants and 8,600 adult volunteers. Each county (Daggett is covered by Uintah County) has a USU Extension office that administers the 4-H program. “Positive youth development is the primary goal of 4-H,” MacArthur said. “The program is about youth and adults working together, designing club and individual plans for activities and events to enrich our youth. The new year ahead is the perfect time to start this program with your child.”