Oct. 4-10 is 4-H awareness week

    October 4-10 is 4-H Week and a great chance to remind readers that yes, 4-H is still around, and it is thriving and looking for more adults to get involved. Maine 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for youth ages 5-18. While 4-H is often thought of as a rural and agricultural program, “cooking and cows,” today it is far more than that.
    Lately, we have been hearing about “40 developmental assets” a collection of the positive things kids need to grow up as healthy, happy, responsible adults. 4-H clubs, led by 4-H volunteers, are one of the perfect settings for building those assets.
    Belonging — the heart of 4-H … Young people need to know others care them about.  They need a strong connection to a constructive group and strong, long-term relationships with peers and adults. They need to feel safe and valued. Assets in categories such as support, constructive use of time and a practical understanding of expectations and boundaries can be developed in a 4-H club.  
    Mastery — the health of 4-H …Youth need to know that they are capable of directing their own learning, that they can solve problems, overcome setbacks, and get really, really good at something.  Assets such as commitment to learning and positive identity flow from mastery.
    Independence — the head of 4-H … Youth need to know that they can positively influence people and events through their actions and decision-making skills. In 4-H, youth learn to take plan, organize, set goals, take responsibility, and follow-through on commitments building assets such as positive identity and values and social competencies.
    Generosity — the hands of 4-H … Youth need to feel that their lives of purpose and meaning and there is nothing that builds self-confidence, character and connection better than the chance to give back to one’s community. Community involvement empowers youth and builds social competency.
    Wondering how to be an “asset builder” for kids in the area, become a 4-H volunteer. If there is a group in the area, ask how to help out. If anyone has a skill to share — robotics, rocketry, gardening, cooking, art or anything else — 4-H organizers can find a place to put it to work. If anyone likes working with young children, organizers are looking for volunteers to lead Cloverbud groups for our 5-8 year old members. Enjoy older kids?  4-H members ages 9 and up need new clubs and leaders too.
    4-H only exists because of caring adults, who volunteer their time to be a very important person in the life of a young person.  The rewards are huge — watching a young person grow up through 4-H, shine in their communities and at their chosen projects and then go off to college and come back to The County as accomplished young adults is rewarding beyond measure.  
    If you would like to learn more about the Aroostook County 4-H program, please contact Christy Fitzpatrick at 532-6548 or 1-800-287-1469 or via email at cfitz@umext.maine.edu.  There are kids all over The County who would love to be in 4-H.  It starts with a volunteer like you!