Update August 15, 2021

Dear 4-H Families,

Summer has arrived and 4-H is growing in South Carolina!  Since September 2020, South Carolina 4-H has reached over 30,000 youth through a variety of delivery modes, relying heavily on distance-learning strategies.  Starting February 2021, in-person programming with groups through Clemson Extension resumed based on local disease incidence and other public health data provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Since April 2021, 4-H volunteers were able to lead clubs in-person on a county-by-county basis. Since June 2021, in-person 4-H programming became available statewide. (To learn more about your programming options locally, contact your local 4-H agent.)  

In-person programming is ramping up in counties throughout the state and at the state level. Regardless of whether we see your smiling face from across the way, behind a mask, or through a digital screen, we love to see YOU. Distance-learning opportunities remain strong with the innovative and engaging efforts of our 4-H staff. Given the many barriers and limitations, we are extremely proud of the connections 4-H agents made with youth and volunteers throughout this past year. You all have transformed camps, clubs, school enrichment, and short-term special interest programs into distance-learning programs which families and youth could accomplish together. Thank you for your support and continued grace as we all work to “make the best better”. 

Dr. Pam Ardern retired from 4-H on June 1 and to learn more about her life-long connection to 4-H, visit our most recent 4-H Spotlight. Dr. Ashley Burns, Assistant 4-H Director, is serving in the interim State 4-H Leader role and can be reached at taberp@clemson.edu.  

 

4-H Activities to do at Home

Looking for ideas to do while at home with youth?  Check out the following ideas.

• • Horse Institute

    Horse Institute is a course designed to enhance the understanding of horses and horse-related items from any aspect of the horse industry. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the breeds of horse, the history of the horse, tack, body systems, equine management, and much more. The course uses an online platform called Schoology to provide students with lessons, resources, and discussion questions. Youth may register for this online course by using 4-HOnline.

    If you have concerns or questions, please feel free to contact Katie Shaw at any time at berry7@clemson.edu or 803-940-3190.

    Course Syllabus (PDF)

  • Journey to Mars

    This summer, we are embarking on a Journey to Mars with five interactive lessons. After completing this mission, youth will not only know what it takes to travel to another planet and live there, but will also have sharpened their problem-solving skills.

    • Lesson 1 - Introduction and Decomposition
    • Lesson 2 - Pattern Recognition
    • Lesson 3 - Abstraction
    • Lesson 4 - Algorithm Design
    • Lesson 5 - Conclusion and Go

    You can use the hashtag #SC4HatHome to share photos of your work for a chance to win a 4-H prize pack!  If you are not on social media, you can enter photos by e-mailing them to Ashley Burns at taberp@clemson.edu. 

    Journey to Mars is made possible through support by Google:
    
    4-H and Google are coming together for a first-of-its-kind collaboration to develop skills students will need for the future, like computer science, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration to kids across the country, establishing a 4-H Computer Science (CS) Career Pathway. As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H has the reach and the infrastructure to mobilize a career pathway for America’s youth and grow true leaders prepared with the skills they need. As such, we envision a future where 4-H has the capacity and resources to deliver high-quality computer science activities to youth from all communities around the country. Google shares this vision and believes that all youth should have the opportunity to be creators—not just consumers—of technology. Through Google.org’s generous grant Growing a CS Pathway for America’s Youth: Accelerator Award, 4-H will bring CS programming to kids across the county, equipping the next generation with the foundational skills they need to lead, innovate and problem-solve in every discipline – from business to fashion to agriculture. Information was gathered from the Clemson University Cooperative Extension, South Carolina 4-H, National 4-H Council, and additional works as referenced.