What are you passionate about? Robotics? Technology? BBQ? Health? Whatever it is, have you considered sharing your passion, your skills, and your knowledge with youth? The 4-H Youth Development program has been growing youth for more than 115 years. Through hands on learning from adult volunteers who create safe environments where all children feel a sense of belonging, youth can master many things. Adult volunteers do not have to be experts and UF/IFAS Extension will provide curriculum, training materials, and a variety of additional events and activities to enhance the club or team work. What we need from you is time and your willingness to care. Come be part of our volunteer family and give a kid a chance to grow well.

Ideas to Ponder
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) is a big deal these days. Florida 4-H has several options for teaching STEM/STEAM to youth of different ages including Junk Drawer Robotics, Fun with Physics, and even a STEAM clothing project. If you like to tinker and see how things work, perhaps a science club in robotics is something you can offer.
Grilling for Health – obesity is a problem in the US and children are suffering at a growing rate. Healthy living and healthy eating are solutions but how do you get kids interested? Teach them how to grill the healthy proteins (poultry, shrimp, beef, and pork). Fire and food safety, healthy choices, fire building, smoking meats, slow cooking, and meat selection are amongst the educational pieces offered in this program. Are you the grill master we are looking for?

How it Starts
Florida 4-H volunteers undergo online training, face to face training, and must pass a very strict background check prior to taking on the role and contributing to the development of youth. You start by emailing your local 4-H agent (Hernando’s Nancy Moores at nmoores@ufl.edu) to discuss the specific needs in the community and what you would like to offer. You then click here to access the 4-H online registration system and get yourself enrolled. The first trainings are located online at florida4h.org/volunteers. Your agent will arrange for your interview, fingerprinting and screening, and eventually your appointment. Meanwhile, you will take the Office of Youth Conference Services online training and test to be eligible for this adventure.
Become a part of the UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County 4-H family and share yourself with the future.

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