Become a 4-H volunteer and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking adult volunteer leaders for their 4-H LEGO Robotics Club and Pet Club this fall.
“Volunteer leaders are a valued and essential part of 4-H youth development programs helping students to explore their interests and share them with the community in a supportive and collaborative environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”
Union County’s 4-H LEGO Robotics Club engages students in 5th and 6th grades in hands-on technology experiments that focus on science, mathematics and language concepts. Students explore LEGO robot building with typical LEGO bricks, sensors, a motor and a few other specialty pieces. The basics of programming, engineering, and constructing are all part of the process. Students are encouraged to use creativity, teamwork and problem solving.
Union County’s 4-H Pet Club provides 1st and 2nd grade students who love pets a fun opportunity to learn all about pet care while developing key life skills including teamwork and decision making. Students explore animal ownership responsibilities including, grooming, training and exercise, feeding, and safety.
Both Union County 4-H clubs will meet at the Collen Fraser Building in Westfield on Saturday morning starting in September. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides training for adult leaders and curriculum materials for each club. For more information or to apply for the Union County 4-H adult volunteer leader positions please contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent at 908-654-9854 or email him at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.
Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.
Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.
In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery. Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.
For more information about Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County 4-H clubs visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.