| | Evening assemblies get lively at 4-H U. (Photo by Mark Claesgens) |
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| | Fashion Revue is one of the competitive events that takes place during 4-H University. This photo is from 2006. (Photo by John Wozniak) |
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| | Educational sessions at 4-H U include such topics as urban forestry. (Photo by Mark Claesgens) |
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This is the fourth year for 4-H University but the 93rd for this event, formerly known as 4-H Short Course. More than 1,600 4-H’ers and volunteers leaders from Louisiana's 64 parishes will converge on the LSU campus to participate in competitive activities and learning experiences June 19-22, 2007.
For some students summer is a time of rest and relaxation. But for 4-H students participating in 4-H U, the summer starts with a whirlwind of activity culminating in a three days of educational activities and competition on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.
This year marks the 93rd year that 4-H’ers from across the state will compete in events ranging from plant identification, photography and flight simulation. More than 40 contests will take place along with workshops, seminars, ceremonies and activities just for fun. Read the press release.
“4-H University gives students a chance to experience what it is like to live and learn on a major college campus. We have participants from all over the state who have been looking forward to and preparing for this week all year,” said Mark Tassin, head of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H youth developmental program.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth organization. Louisiana has more than 50,000 students enrolled in local 4-H clubs. The LSU AgCenter is responsible for overseeing the youth program, which is active in every parish.
This year’s theme is “Welcome to the Big Clover.” The first evening assembly event begins at 7:30 June 19 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center featuring a performance by Team Impact. The evening assembly for June 20, also in the Assembly Center, will feature speakers Art and Gail Moore. The final evening assembly on June 21 will feature LSU President William Jenkins.
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Team Impact is comprised of 20 athletes with backgrounds ranging from the NFL to professional wrestling. The team uses feats of strength to capture the students’ attention while promoting a positive message of motivation and achievement.
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Art and Gail Moore are a husband and wife team who operate Yes I Can, Inc. Art is a former professional football player, and Gail is a contemporary Christian recording artist. They each use their unique skills to help teach youth to turn negative situations into positive ones through hard work, patience and making the right choices.
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A native of South Africa, Jenkins has presided over the LSU System as president since 1999. Jenkins has been on the LSU campus since 1988, when he was appointed dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. He has served as provost and chancellor at LSU A&M.
During the week, students will campaign for five state offices. Election results will be announced on the final night of activities on Thursday, June 21.
Clover College
For the fourth consecutive year, 4-H U will again offer the Clover College program. It has been expanded from six to eight different educational tracks and gives students an opportunity to learn about program development, service learning projects, and leadership and social skills. Each track requires students to attend seven hours of instruction.
The eight Clover College sessions are:
- Exploring the World of Sports
- Louisiana: Sportsman's Paradise
- Rafa 'Rafa': Learning About Different Cultures
- Taking Teen Clubs to the Top
- The World's a Stage: Bring Out the Actor in YOUth
- Who Wants to be a Camp Counselor? (Part 1)
- What Wants to be a Camp Counselor? (Part 2)
- Youth Mentoring: Friend Helping Friends
'Welcome to the Big Clover'
The theme for this year’s event is “Welcome to the Big Clover,” and participants will be introduced to aspects of life that college students experience on an everyday basis. Students will tour a working dairy, a biomedical center, and athletic facilities. Students will also get to see how college students live during the week by residing in campus dormitories, eating at campus dining halls and even going through the rigors of scheduling classes.
The event will culminate with the final session on June 21 with awards, the announcement of newly elected officers, and recognition for the past year’s officers.
Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor for extension, said a primary objective of the event is to expose students to the many opportunities available through 4-H and get a glimpse of what a major university has to offer.
“4-H will continue to develop the youth of Louisiana as it has for the past 99 years. 4-H University offers students the opportunity to learn and compete in an environment that is truly unique and lets them get a taste of what college has to offer,” says Coreil.
Impact
- 179,097 youth in grades K-12 participated in 4-H last year along with 6,492 volunteer leaders.
- More than 160,000 students participated in the 4-H character education program last year, including 1,649 youth who received training to serve as peer mentors.
- 2007 is the 85th year of 4-H Camp, which is held at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock.