A couple of weeks ago, 4-H members across Barton County gathered for 4-H Club Day. This event provides opportunities for 4-H members to showcase their presentation skills while receiving feedback from a judge for areas of improvement. Youth participate in Project Talks (specific information about one of the 40 project areas), a Demonstration (shows how to do something), an Illustrated Talk (tells how to do something or about something), and Public or Extemporaneous Speaking. They also have an opportunity to showcase teamwork through skits or model meetings (Parliamentary procedure). Those with top placings will have the opportunity to compete at the Regional 4-H Club Day on March 11 in Great Bend.
I love watching the development of a youth who starts out as a little one in a Show and Tell presentation and, just a few years later, is taking on more complicated topics and challenging themselves with Public Speaking or Extemporaneous Speaking.
In addition to this opportunity, a group of youth across the Cottonwood Extension District are part of a team of water ambassadors, our 4-H2O Ambassadors! This group of 7 youth are provided training by a variety of partners including Cottonwood Extension 4-H, Hays Water Resources Department, KSU Watershed specialists, and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The 4-H Water Ambassador program is a leadership opportunity for teens 13 and older, focusing on the importance of water quality, water conservation and water careers. If your organization would be interested in hearing from our water ambassadors, give me a call.
Another incredible opportunity that has been provided to one of our Cottonwood – Barton 4-H members is the chance to represent Kansas 4-H at an international level. Jayla Wyant was selected as one of the IFYE (International Foreign Youth Exchange) youth for 2022. She will be traveling to Japan this summer to stay with a host family, learn about youth development and experience a different culture. Jayla is fundraising for this trip as the costs are considerably more than a regular summer. If you are interested in supporting her fundraising efforts, please contact me at the Extension Office and I will have her family get in contact.
What incredible opportunities to learn through experiences!
Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.
Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at [email protected] or call 620-793-1910.