By Matthew McClellan

Rowan County Cooperative Extension

I’ve written several times about my belief in the power of what the 4-H program can give to youth. I’ve written about lessons that youth learn far beyond what is printed on an agenda or program outline. I’ve written about residential camping opportunities afforded through the 4-H camping program.

So this time, I’m going to write about a specific opportunity for youth in Rowan County to become involved with the program right now. I’m going to tell you about our new Junior Leader Club, its purpose, how it will function, and, most importantly, how to join. I’ll also give you a little history of my experiences with 4-H Jr. Leader programs in Louisiana, where I was an agent previously

At the simplest level, the 4-H Jr. Leader program exists for youth 12 and over to learn to become better leaders, complete service learning projects, give back to the community, volunteer in other areas of the 4-H program, and have a blast at the same time. Let me tell you about some of the amazing things my last Jr. Leader Club was a part of.

In my last appointment as the 4-H Agent in Calcasieu Parish, La., my Jr. Leader program helped run the entire 4-H program. They ran contest days, taught classes, volunteered with regional and state events, and did awesome community service projects.

They volunteered with Relay for Life, for flood assistance when parts of Southwest Louisiana flooded last spring, with the foster child association of Calcasieu Parish, at 4-H summer camp. They ran fundraisers and trained younger 4-H members how to run their clubs. These guys did it all, and all of it was directed and planned by them.

That is the beauty of 4-H — when properly done, youth run the program. We empower them and give them the responsibility to do great things, and they often exceed our wildest dreams.

Some of my Louisiana Jr. Leaders have gone on to do amazing things outside of the parish — becoming state 4-H officers, serving on national boards, even having the confidence to step outside the norm and go away from home for college.

I expect to continue to hear about great things that that group of young men and women are going to achieve. Now, though, it is time to recreate that here in Rowan County in our 4-H program. I want to have a group of young people who serve our community, spread the word about 4-H, and learn the skills necessary to become the leaders everyone will be proud to have.

To that end, I am starting a 4-H Jr. Leader program on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at the 4-H office in Salisbury. If you have a youth age 12 or older, I would encourage them to check it out and help start what I know will become a centerpiece of the Rowan County 4-H program.

If you have any questions about the Jr. Leader Club, or anything related to 4-H, please feel free to contact me at the 4-H Office. We are located at 2727-A Old Concord Road in Salisbury, our phone number is 704-216-8970, and my email is matthew_mcclellan@ncsu.edu.

 

Matthew McClellan is the 4-H agent with Rowan County Cooperative Extension.