Wildcat Connection October 2017 | Page 25

Julie Traxson

4-H Youth Development

4-H/Youth development

team work and positive character traits. I give them a brief explanation of what KSRE is and how they can utilize the services we (Extension Agents) can provide for them. I attend the classroom once a month for a 40-45 minute time frame.

We have record books coming into the office for judging. This is an important part of 4-H in my opinion. There are not very many people I know who like to do the record books and as an adult we don’t particularly like to keep records either. We do need them and we use them. 4-H is a great place to learn this very important skill. It is also a way to keep track of what you are doing so that when the time comes to fill out a job application or a scholarship to attend college, you have the information at your fingertips. Getting the parents of younger 4-H members and the 4-H members themselves to understand this is difficult and I keep looking for and trying new ways to explain this concept to them. This fall I will be attending the club meetings to get them started on the new year’s record book now so they will be able to keep track of everything as the year progresses.

State Fair is over and those who sent exhibits did well! One young man took his small engine project. This was the first time he has participated at the state level and he was really excited to do so! When I talked to him as they were picking it up he was even more excited about how he did – a purple! He is a great leader in his club and shares what he has learned with other people, in or out of 4-H. To me this is what 4-H is…learning and sharing with others enthusiastically!

Informational video on

how to complete a record book.