4-H Is 4 Geeks

One of the biggest myths I hear about 4-H is that it’s only for farming families. While it’s completely true that the organization was set up as a tool to promote “modern” farming methods through after-school agriculture clubs, that’s not the whole picture. There’s still a lot of farming in 4-H, yes, but there’s also a lot of science and art. In fact, there are even rockets and robots.

4-H fills in a lot of the “What am I going to do all summer?” gaps for our family. Not only are there practical projects, but we also find local camps and workshops; we even sent our girl off on a bus this year for her first away camp with actual camp stuff. You know, horse riding, archery, canoeing, and crafts.

4-H is actually part of the extension program of land grant universities in the US, but the system is set up to allow kids to pick their own projects and enjoy practical learning in the areas they choose. While the county fair tends to be the star of the show, 4-H is really something you can do all year, either by yourself or in small project groups. I have a homeschooling friend who uses 4-H for the very convenient pre-made project curriculum, and the monthly club meetings give kids a shot at running the local club. Stick with it long enough, and your high schooler could even get a 4-H scholarship.

When I was my daughter’s age, I was a prize-winning entomologist. I couldn’t interest my daughter in that subject, but she did pick up an interest in robotics, sewing, quilting, cooking, and photography. She’s going to try to recruit some peers for a robotics project group, and this year one of her photographs will be at the state fair.

Now that the summer is winding down and school year is winding up, it might be a good chance to check out your local 4-H club. To get started, find the extension office near you or check out the starter kit for the National Youth Science Day project in October.