Hamilton County 4-H is offering a wide variety of free online programs this summer to all County residents in grades fourth through 12th. Youth can participate in online conferences and contests, a virtual exchange programs with youth in other states and online meetings featuring hands-on art, STEM lessons and animal programs through 4-H. There is no cost to join 4-H, and you can join at any time.
One activity available for junior high youth is the 4-H Academic Un-Conference, which will take place June 9-11 online. Junior high 4-H members (grades six-eight as of Jan. 1) can experience college life virtually through this program. Youth will work with UT professors, specialists and faculty members to learn in-depth knowledge about a project area that the youth find interesting. The students can also explore careers and network with other 4-H members across the state as they participate in this fun, interactive, hands-on experience. Students or their parents must call the Extension office at 423-855-6113 or email Nancy Rucker, extension agent and county director, at nrucker@tennessee.edu by June 1 in order to sign up. They should also choose one project area for their work. A list of 4-H project areas in Tennessee is available at https://4h.tennessee.edu/Pages/4HProjects.aspx
4-H club meetings will held online about once a month this summer, and all youth in grades fourth-12th are welcome to participate. The first virtual summer 4-H meeting will be Thursday, June 4 at 3 p.m. Join to learn how to create ice cream in a bag and to find out about the virtual dog show coming up later in the summer. For a link to the meeting, email msabin@tennessee.edu.
The 4-H Virtual Exchange Program is open to youth in grades fifth-12th and is limited to 12 youth. This program is a virtual version of the 4-H Interstate Exchange Program, which takes place across the United States every year. In the virtual exchange program, youth have the opportunity to meet new people their age and experience a new place in a positive environment. The Zoom conferencing platform will be used for the exchange trips every two weeks. Youth in the 4-H exchange program will participate in activities online and then have the opportunity to present on their own experiences, including a city/farm tour or sharing 4-H projects and competition experiences. In past exchanges, youth said they enjoyed learning about a different state and making new friends. Email gyoungin@tennessee.edu or msabin@tennessee.edu to sign up for the 4-H Virtual Exchange Program or get more information.
A regional 4-H Wildlife contest is June 30. This is an annual contest which will be held online this year. Youth in grades fourth-12th can learn about 51 different species of animals and how to manage land for wildlife. Youth with an interest in biology, wildlife or hunting will find this program of particular interest. Study material is available online. Contact Extension Agent Maria Sabin at msabin@tennessee.edu to sign up for this contest and be emailed links to study material.
More information on Hamilton County 4-H programs this summer is available at the website of the UT-TSU Extension office for Hamilton County: Hamilton.Tennessee.edu. To register for a 4-H program, call the office at 423-855-6113 or email the 4-H staff: Nancy Rucker, extension agent and county director, at nrucker@tennessee.edu; Maria Sabin, extension agent, at msabin@tennessee.edu; or Gabrielle Younginer, extension agent, at gyoungin@tennessee.edu.