Union County, NJ – Union County 4-H Clubs are gearing up for a new season, and Union County students in grades 1-12 are invited to join their peers in a hands-on exploration of popular fields ranging from archery, cooking and fashion to Lego robotics and other STEM subjects. Youth in their first year after graduating high school can also join.
To sign up for a club, meet the club leaders and find out more about 4-H activities, students must attend this year’s annual 4-H Open House on Friday evening, September 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Magnet High School. The school is located at Mancuso Hall in the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.
“Programs like 4-H help our youth develop important life skills and become leaders, especially when it comes to inspiring the next generation of innovators in STEM fields,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H, which helps our youth develop personal initiative, teamwork and giving back to the community.”
Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board. It is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national 4-H youth development program, which seeks to connect state universities with youth and adults in their communities.
4-H clubs first began forming in 1902. Today they make up the largest youth program in the country, with nearly 6 million student participants and 540,000 adult volunteers nationwide.
According to a recent national study, 4-H participants are more likely to get better grades in school, seek out science classes, see themselves going to college, avoid risky behavior, and make positive contributions to their communities.
Union County 4-H clubs are organized around modern topics like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design, as well as traditional favorites including 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 the September 21 Open House and this year’s 4-H Clubs, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org, or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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