Spice up your summer 4-H club meetings with new resources
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EmailResources and ideas to aid 4-H clubs and volunteers in avoiding the summer 4-H blues.
Summer months are a great time for 4-H clubs to have fun and engaging meetings. With warmer weather and more flexible schedules, it is a great time to keep youth engaged and excited to return in the fall. Here are a few ideas from Michigan 4-H to spice up your summer 4-H club meetings:
Bring a panel of experts together to discuss a project area of your club
Consider inviting 4-H alumni currently in college or establishing their career path. It can be an excellent opportunity to highlight how 4-H has shaped their paths and they can offer advice to current members. You could also organize a panel focused on fair preparation, giving members practical tips and insight on what to expect.
Engage in service learning
Challenge others, at the club or county level, to a community service contest. 4-H members could perform various acts of service in the community and track and celebrate their collective impact. Activities such as adopting a highway, maintaining a local forest area, or cleaning up trails and parks in your community are meaningful outdoor activities that allow youth to stay active while giving back to their communities.
Take a field trip
Consider planning a visit to a nearby university or local educational attraction. If on the campus of Michigan State University, you can visit the beautiful gardens. The Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden features interactive, youth-friendly exhibits. Clubs could also visit the two museums that are on campus: the MSU Museum and the MSU Broad Art Museum. Both museums have unique and interesting exhibits all year round and provide a great spot for a field trip.
Incorporate new and fun, hands-on activities
There are many activities offered through Michigan 4-H or you can use a National 4-H curriculum and kit. These materials offer creative, ready-to-use ideas that make learning fun and interactive.
By trying one or more of these ideas, you can bring variety and excitement to your club’s summer schedule. Offering something different from the usual routine helps prevent burnout and keeps members motivated, connected and looking forward to what comes next.
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. To find out how to get involved as a Michigan 4-H youth participant or an adult volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office.