| [Image: Photo of 4-Her's participating in science activities ] |
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| [Image: Photo of participants on beach] |
“4-H is a community of young people across the country who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.”
Plaquemines Parish 4-H is designed for youth ages 9-19 and is based on the principle of “learning by doing.” 4-H enables young people to learn technical facts and life skills important for success in school and in everyday activities. There are over 500 members in 13 organizational clubs and 1 Junior Leader clubs.
Current educational programs include:
- Character Counts! Parish youth participate in the Character Counts! program of the Josephson Institute. They learn about the 6 pillars of character and how they can become youth with character. Teens are trained to conduct the character lessons in the schools.
- Aquaculture Education: 4-H youth receive instruction on fishing techniques and boating safety at the Buras Boat Harbor. The Coast Guard and sheriff’s departments assist 4-H agents in presenting the program.
- Environmental Program: 4-H youth participate in environmental educational programs. The monthly club meetings focus on environmental issues of Plaquemines Parish. An Environmental Camp will be held in March. Junior Leaders will participate in the Marsh Maneuvers program in the summer of 2006.
- Nutrition and Cookery Program: 4-H youth receive education about nutrition and food safety and participate in the parish cookery contest. The overall cookery winners will participate in cookery awards trips to Woodland’s Plantation and Emeril’s Restaurant.
- Science Enrichment: 4-H youth participate in science activities from the Sci-tivities curriculum.
- Junior Leader Program: 4-H teens 13 and older can join the Plaquemines Parish 4-H Jr. Leader Club. Junior leaders assist 4-H agents in presenting programs to the elementary members, lead sessions at leadership trainings, participate in the Step Up to Leadership program and participate in service learning projects. Junior leader meetings are held monthly in Belle Chasse at the 4-H office.
- Horse Project: 4-H members participate in the 4-H Horse Project. The horse shows take place during the summer. Horse clinics are presented to all members of the horse project.
- Gardening Project: 4-H members participate in the 4-H garden project. Students plant and cultivate their own vegetable garden.
- LSU 4-H University: 4-H teens participate in 4-H University. Students stay on the LSU campus while attending educational sessions and competing in project areas.
- 4-H Camp: 4-H fourth-sixth grade members participate in this fun-filled camp held at the 4-H Grant Walker Educational Center in Pollock, LA. During the week of camp, 4-H'ers participate in a variety of activities including archery, canoeing, swimming, etc. 4-H junior leaders serve as camp counselors.
- Welcome to the Real World: Students enrolled in free enterprise classes will participate in this workforce-preparedness curriculum. Adult volunteers provide leadership and assist students to learn about finances and budgeting.
- Community Service Projects: 4-H CAN Fight Hunger, 4-H Literacy Campaign, local food drives, local clothing drives, nursing home visits, Operation Military Kids, donations for the Women’s Outreach Center and Care packages for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- 4-H Coastal Restoration Community Service Learning Project: 4-H members and volunteer leaders participate in a joint project with U.S. Fish & Wildlife to prevent coastal erosion. Sand fencing and vegetation have been planted on the Chandelier barrier island. This is an ongoing project with U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 4-H junior leaders and Conoco/Phillips. A greenhouse has been set up at Buras High School, funded by Conoco/Phillips. 4-H members will grow vegetation that will be used in the restoration effort.
- Summer Sewing Clinics: 4-H staff and volunteers will teach beginning sewing skills to 4-H'ers in summer camps in the parish.
Plaquemines Parish 4-H Events :
Skate Country Field Trip - November 3, 2007
4-H Fashion Camp - January 18-20, 2008
Junior Leader Conference- Feb. 29 - Mar. 2, 2008
4-H Cookery Contest - March 15, 2008
4-H Night at the New Orleans Hornets - February 22, 2008
4-H Food & Fitness Camp - Feb. 22-24, 2008
Challenge Camp - April 2-3, 2008
Aquatic Education Clinics - Spring 2008
4-H Spirit Day/Centennial Celebration - May 17, 2008
4-H Camp - July 7-11, 2008
4-H University - June 17-20, 2008