Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 2, 2001 Indiana 4-H campaign puts on 'new face'WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana 4-H officials have developed a two-year campaign called "The New Face of 4-H" to attract new youth and to tell current members about additional opportunities in 4-H.
According to Janet Gordon, state 4-H program director, the campaign design came about because of a combination of factors. "4-H is more than what people think it is," she says. "Kids get involved in 4-H to have fun, meet people and learn. 4-H is changing in response to society. Not only do we deliver the programs in new ways, as part of school curriculums, but we also have a new curriculum in response to changes in society. We're adjusting to the future. We've taken the best of what we've done and made it better." Promotional billboards with the new campaign theme have gone up in Adams, Benton, Elkhart, Jackson, LaGrange, Newton, Steuben, Union, Vigo, and Wells counties. 4-H has always provided activities for youths to develop life skills tied to the four Hs: head, heart, hands and health. Following its own motto, 4-H is attempting to address more issues affecting today's society. For example, there are new educational offerings ranging from computer technology to social skills. The programs give youths the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning experiences designed for their age group. With programs being incorporated into school curriculums, and as supplements to traditional teaching techniques, 4-H involvement is increasing. The highest increase of youth involved with 4-H has been in schools. And, according to recent surveys, 50 percent of 4-H members come from towns. For parents, 4-H provides supplemental education for children at little or no cost. "This is a wonderful opportunity for youth to learn something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives," says Steve Cain, Purdue University Extension communication specialist. "In talking with kids we have found that they enjoy 4-H because it is fun, they can meet people and make friends, and go places. That's what 4-H does." The key message of the new promotional campaign is: "4-H has a lot to offer any young person," Cain says. More than 20,000 Hoosier adults volunteer as 4-H leaders. Each one helps with the transfer of knowledge that makes an impact on a child's life. Purdue Extension administers Indiana's 4-H program, which is an age-appropriate, university-based program that focuses on developing life skills in leadership, citizenship, communication and decision making. The goal is to help build self-confidence while youths learn specialized skills and explore possible career interests. 4-H programs are open to anyone from kindergarten through grade 12. For more information, contact your local Extension office or call 1-888-EXT-INFO. Sources: Janet Gordon, (765) 494-8422, janet.gordan@four-h.purdue.edu; Writer: Theresa Lawton, (765) 494-8402 Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu IMAGE CAPTION:
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