The 4-H program encourages students in grades 1-12 to explore their interests and share their knowledge.
Union County, NJ — Union County 4-H Clubs are gearing up for a new season, and students in grades 1-12 are invited to join the fun. Students and their families are welcomed to attend the 4-H Club Open House on Saturday, September 25 to meet this year’s 4-H club leaders and learn more about the topics students can explore during the 2021-2022 school year.
“The 4-H program provides unique hands-on learning and leadership experiences. It also encourages young people to become experts on topics that interest them and to share their knowledge with others,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Board of Commissioners is very proud to support the 4-H program in Union County.”
The 2021 Open House will take place from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on the grounds of the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Ample free parking is available on site.
The meeting will be held at the outdoor theater by the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. 4-H club leaders will be present for parents to meet and learn more about the club and 4-H in general.
To sign up for a 4-H club or to get more information about the program, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz by email at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org. Students can sign up for a maximum of 2 clubs per year. There is a fee for joining each class which varies by activity.
The list of clubs this year includes anime, archery, cooking, disc golf, engineering, gardening, LEGO robotics, living history, nature exploration, civic service, and sewing. Students can also join clubs that encourage exploration in multiple areas. Club members meet with an adult leader each month during the school year to plan activities and programs.
For the 2021-2022 school year, the full list of clubs and their age ranges are as follows:
- Anime Club, grades 4 and up
- Archery Club, grades 4 and up
- Coding Club, grades 4 – 5
- Cooking Club, grades 4 and up
- Disc Golf Club, grades 5 and up
- Engineering Club, grades 4 – 5
- Gardening Club, grades 4 and up
- LEGO Robotics Club (with LEGO Robotics MindStorms kits), grades 4 -5
- Living History Club, grades 4 and up
- Nature Club, grades 5 – 9
- 4-H Service Club, grades 8 – 12
- Sewing Club, grades 6 and up
- 1st and 2nd Grade 4-H Club (activities exploring different skills and hobbies), grades 1-2
- 3rd and 4th Grade Variety Club (different topics focusing on the environment), grades 3 – 4
- 9th through 12th Grade Variety Club (different topics with crafts and cooking), grades 9 – 12
The national 4-H program is the largest youth development program in the country. It began as a way to encourage young people in rural communities to learn about innovative new farming practices. The focus on innovation and leadership continues to the present day, through age-appropriate topics and activities.
The national 4-H youth development program is part of the Extension system under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Union County, 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station. It is supported in part by the Union County Board of County Commissioners, with offices at the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
For more information about all Union County Extension programs, including 4-H, Master Tree Stewards, and Master Gardeners, visit ucnj.org/rce. More information about 4-H in New Jersey is available at nj4h.rutgers.edu.
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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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