DATE: 3/27/06

CONTACT: Amy McCune, (864) 656- 6651; amccune@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

4-H teens intend to make impact in their communities

COLUMBIA – The State 4-H Teen Weekend, held recently in Columbia, challenged the 97 teen participants to become more active citizens and find ways to make a difference in their communities – not just once, but for a lifetime.

The weekend began with team building exercises and inquiry activities to help them develop their abilities to identify community needs. The next day was spent actively engaged in the Columbia community, performing an estimated 350 hours of volunteer service.

Service activities included helping at the food bank, the children’s museum, a road race, a state park, and nursing homes. 4-H volunteers also sewed two dozen wheelchair tote bags for the wheelchair bound, and baked hundreds of homemade dog biscuits which were delivered to an animal shelter.

The last day was spent sharing the importance of service, identifying things they could do back home, and being encouraged by guest speaker Mark Rodenhauser, a Carolina Panthers alumni.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. The South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach, the involvement of caring adults, the knowledge and resources of Clemson University and the land grant university system to empower youth to become healthy, productive and contributing members of society.

“4-H provides youths the opportunity to master the knowledge and skills of leadership and citizenship, said Keith Diem, state 4-H director. “The success of the 4-H Teen Weekend is the perfect example of a 4-H experience that these youths will remember throughout their lives.”

To learn more 4-H in your community, contact your Clemson Extension office or visit the state 4-H web site at www.clemson.edu/4h.

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