National 4-H Week was October 4-10. 4-H is a great leadership program that focuses on kids ages 8-18 worldwide. There is also the clover bud program that anyone under the age of 8 can join. 4-H is focused primarily on agriculture and life skills. There are 58 different projects that you can partake in; these include food and nutrition, computer and digital technology, engines and transportation, physical sciences, environmental resource management, leadership, and animal evaluation.
This summer, I had the opportunity to be involved in a pen pal program. You have to fill out an application to get into the program, and they pick a handful of people from each state. I got chosen to participate and was asked to fill out a survey about my interests and background. They then paired me with a girl from South Korea who is the same age as me and shares many of the same interests. This program gave me a knowledge of a different culture and made me more aware of how other people lived. It made me realize that I only know how to speak one language while kids in other countries are often taught to speak English and surrounding nations' languages.
4-H projects are also a great way to gain responsibility and are even sometimes a way to make money. One example of this is the animal programs. Anyone between the ages of 8 and 18 can do an animal project. These projects consist of buying and animal and paying for the expenses that come along with it. This is a way to learn how to manage finances, set up a bank account, and write a check. You will then spend time raising your animal. You learn how to take responsibility for something other than yourself.
4-H is also an awesome opportunity to learn how to communicate with others. I have met a lot of my close friends through 4-H. You also learn how to communicate with adults. You learn to ask questions when you need help and to carry a conversation. You also learn how to work with a team and how to use your strengths to your advantage. A team is made up of different people, and everyone brings different things to the team.
I have enjoyed my time in 4-H. I have learned so many things that will benefit me later now and later in life. I feel that 4-H has made me the person I am today. I highly encourage anyone interested in 4-H or even just if you want to be involved in something to join. There are so many opportunities and ways to learn and develop your personality.
