OPEN LETTER TO FAMILIES WANTING TO PARTICIPATE IN 4H

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We are starting a 4H club!!! HOORAY!!!

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What is 4H?

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So first of all, 4H is not just for farm animals. 4‑H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation - and it provides experiences where young people learn by doing. If you are learning by doing something - you can do 4H.

 

What's more, whatever you are doing now, counts for 4H. 4H provides a way to have the work that you are already doing validated - and that's a great way to look at it.

 

Model UN, the band you sing in, that time you set up 50 gazillion chairs for church - that all counts toward 4H projects. So does taking care of your new pet, or picking up a PE class. (Hey - fencing counts too!) 

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That's it. If you are learning by doing, that counts as a 4H thing. If you want to try to read up more about it, here are a few links:

http://fairfieldcounty4h.org/ - our county 4H

http://www.4-h.uconn.edu/ - the state 4H

https://4-h.org/ - national 4H

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Yeah, but what do you DO?

Each club has a 'club focus' or project and each individual has their own 'project.' Our club focus is on public speaking. The reason we are going to do public speaking is because it is a super flexible topic. So it allows you to use MUN, speeches given at co-op, or you could even talk to the group about the garden you're making - it all counts. As a homeschooling group, we want a super flexible group topic and this one fits very naturally. (It doesn't mean we can't do other projects as a group like community service, arts, etc. It just means that we are going to have an element of speaking in public. We will also participate in the Fairfield County Public Speaking Contest.

 

Students keep records on what they do during the year, it is reviewed, and they win awards. The club is student-run... so they have to make all the things happen. Parents have to chauffeur and support. That's it. 

 

There are also county and statewide things the kids can participate in. (As well as national things!) They range from horse shows to a public speaking competition to sewing and yarn fairs and even robotics events. 

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Why should I do this?

It's fun and awesome! That's it. But also it offers a host of other benefits:

1. It is basically like having someone go through your work and recognize it as valid. Sure, you don't need that, but it does make colleges sit up and take notice. Just about anything you are already doing right now counts - I promise. The extra work is surprisingly minimal - but there are records to keep. (The season starts in Oct. so we're starting with everyone else which is great.) 

2. It provides a structure for leadership skills to be practiced. Your budding future president can get his or her start right here. No, but seriously, finding things for kids to lead as a homeschooler is tough - but this provides an easy framework for that to happen. 

3. You should NEVER do anything simply for college. However, if college is a go, you can use what you're already doing as a project in 4H and not only have it recognized BUT you could also earn serious scholarship dollars for it. (4H is one of the big 'money makers' when it comes to college scholarships.)

4. It opens up an incredible network of opportunities from traveling abroad to learning your new passion. 

5. They sell cool curriculum that you, as a homeschooler, can use. 

6. It develops life skills in a way that few other programs can. ​

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Things you should know...

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1. Space is limited - I can only take so many students. Spots go on a first come first serve basis. (Those on MUN that have already responded are good to go.) 

2. Cost - there are dues - they are nominal bc the purpose is not to fund our next vacation but just to give the kids practice handling money. Kids set the dues, but this will not break your bank. 

3. It is student-run - I just facilitate. 

4. We will meet at least 6 times per year. The kids are in charge of setting the calendar and requirements. But the minimum is 6 times per year.

5. You have to be at least 7 years old. (Their rules, not mine.)

6. Each club has a 'group' focus - ours is public speaking bc that is super flexible and will accommodate a wide variety of interests, projects, etc. Don't panic! Students just have to talk about what they're doing. That's the minimum. 

7. Students have to keep records. They can win awards for the work they do which is pretty cool.  (And super helpful for OTHER scholarship applications.) 

8. If you want to get involved - fill out the FORM  - it's linked above on a button that says '4H Form.'

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