DATE: 3/22/07

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

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

4-H Teens to make impact in their communities

COLUMBIA – The State 4-H Teen Weekend, held recently in Columbia, challenged the 116 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, an animal rescue shelter, a road race, and working with local Master Gardeners on various beautification projects. 4-H teen volunteers also sewed tote bags for the wheelchair bound, designed clothing for amputees, collected non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for the food bank, and delivered hundreds of homemade dog biscuits to the animal shelter. The last day was spent sharing the importance of service, identifying things they could do back home, and developing ways to inspire others to get involved in serving their local communities.

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 Amy McCune, state 4-H events coordinator. “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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