Signature Programs & Events

4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in Global Word

4-H Backpack to Adventure is an innovative, competency-driven and research-based curriculum from Michigan State University Extension. It is designed for adult and teen volunteers, parents, professionals and others to use in working with young people aged 9 to 19 to develop the knowledge and skills they need to become youth leaders in an interconnected, global environment.

4-H Capitol Experience

4-H Capitol Experience is an annual four-day conference that helps prepare youth for active citizenship by focusing on civic engagement and public policy. Up to 130 teens from around the state converge on Lansing, Michigan to experience state government in action and learn how they can influence policy issues. Participants interact with legislators, state agency staff, lobbyists and other resource people to learn how policy is made.

Advisory Group Materials

Looking for resources for your advisory group? View our Advisory Toolkit.

Citizenship Washington Focus

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is an opportunity for 4-H youth (age 14-19) to spend an entire week in Washington, D.C., including a stop in Gettysburg.

National 4-H Congress

National 4-H Congress is a premier event for 4-H members across the country. Michigan 4-H’ers are eligible to attend this conference through MSU Extension. The five-day conference in Atlanta, Georgia, offers workshops on topics such as diversity, cultural experiences, leadership and team development. In addition to attending the conference as delegates, 4-H’ers can also apply to be on the leadership and design teams that develop and conduct the event.

World Food Prize - Michigan Youth Institute

The World Food Prize – Michigan Youth Institute is an experience designed to inspire and engage youth as the next generation of researchers, scholars, policymakers, and leaders in addressing the topic of global food security.

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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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