Engaging Youth
THROUGH INTERACTIVE LEARNING Words and Photography by Laura Ashley Lamm, Ed.D.
For more than120 years, 4-H has been empowering the next generation, not by sitting them in a classroom, but by letting them step up as leaders in their own neighborhoods. The Lenoir County 4-H is a youth development program operated through the NC Cooperative Extension, a statewide educational outreach network spearheaded by NC State University. The youth program is part of the 4-H network and designed to help youth ages 5 to 18 learn critical life skills, leadership, and agriculture through hands-on, "learnby-doing" activities. The four "H's" stand for head, heart, hands, and health. These pillars guide youth to become confident and engaged members of the community. “We offer a variety of programming throughout the year with hands-on experience where youth can learn by doing,” said Joel Dixon, extension program assistant for 4-H Youth Development. “We have clubs in addition to our regular programming. We have a shooting sports club and an equestrian club, both led by 4-H volunteer leaders. The sports club focuses on all aspects of sports shooting, such as rifle shooting, muzzleloading and archery. The equestrian club gives an opportunity for youth to participate in local, regional and state horse shows,” added Dixon. The Lenoir County 4-H also visits local schools and provides youth development programs for students, including the popular embryology program where students incubate and hatch chicken eggs to learn about life cycles. “When people hear ‘4-H,’ they think agriculture and livestock, but we also do so much more,” said Dixon. The 4-H program covers a range of subject matters including family and consumer sciences, cooking, gardening, rabbit and pig raising, chicken cycles from hatching to processing, and navigating financial literacy, 48 Summer 2026 / LENOIR LANTERN
to name a few. There are opportunities to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), agriculture, and healthy living. There is also the annual Coastal Plains Jr. Livestock Show and Sale, which teaches youth animal husbandry and responsibility, and District Activity Days, which builds confidence and communication skills. “When people ask, ‘What is 4-H?’ I always respond with ‘What is something you are interested in? What is something you like to do?’ 4-H can pretty much adapt and morph into whatever the community needs it to be or whatever the youth’s needs are,” said Dixon. Participation costs for events and activities are free or kept at a minimum to ensure all local families can participate. Last year, more than 30,000 people were reached through 4-H events. This summer, more adventures await as youth have opportunities to explore the world around them. The Summer Adventures program began in June and runs through August. The program offers one-to-five-day camps, covering garden exploration and planting, baking and cooking, woodworking and Safe Sitter (babysitting) certification. More information on the 16 camps offered, as well as 4-H programs and events, can be found by visiting https://lenoir.ces.ncsu.edu/. LL