Washington County 4H Open House

The Washington County 4H hosted an open house on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center.

4H is the nation’s largest youth development organization that was founded in the very early 1900s. The H’s stand for head (managing and thinking clearly), heart (showing loyalty and caring for others), hands (providing service and useful work) and health (practicing better living both physically and mentally). The organization is a way for kids to build skills they love while also being able to try new things and build new passions and relationships.

Members of the program are all youth. Children can become members as early as third grade and can remain members until their freshmen year of college. The program also has adult mentors and volunteers. The adults, however, are only there for guidance when needed and for safety. The clubs and programs are instead put on by the youths themselves, with older members with previous experience teaching the newer and younger members.

Ron Jakubisin, the Washington County 4H Educator, said that 4H often gets the stereotype that they are only about farm animals and preparing for the fair, but they are much more than that. 4H of Washington County offers 15 different clubs and many different programs, from shooting sports, S.T.E.M., cake decorating, sewing, chickens, rabbits and many more. Most clubs and programs are ones that are not offered in local schools or barely get touched on.

4H offers not only opportunities to build skills in kids’ areas of interest, but by having the youth lead the different programs, they also build important life skills like leadership, empathy, public speaking and others, allowing children to be more prepared for future careers.

To enroll a child in 4H, become a volunteer or to simply learn more about the programs offered, visit washington.extension.wisc.edu/welcome-to-4-h/. Enrollment is open all year long.