Show 4 H Freedom to Be Week During National H 4 Week Oct 8 2 H 4 members will be exploring the theme Freedom to Be Over the years H 4 has helped millions of boys and girls grow into self-directed self productive productive productive pro pro- and contributing members of society It has done this through an informal informal in in- informal formal learn-by-doing learn approach to education in which young people choose their own projects and set individual individual individual in in- goals for achievement The strengths strengths' of H 4 om fi several sources The Cooperative Extension Extension Ex Ex- Extension tension Service of the land-grant land universities state and local g governments govern governments govern govern- vern- vern ments and the US U.S. Department of Agriculture re provide substantial resources and versatility for the H 4 program Private sector donors businesses foundations and individuals individuals individuals in in- contribute significant financial and technical assistance And parents who are involved in H 4 help to reinforce their childrens children's learning experiences experiences ex ex- experiences in the program But the real key to the success of H 4 lies il ih me e hundreds of thousands of volunteers who lead organized clubs and spec special al interest groups or serve as advisors at the local level It is estimated that for every hour spent on H 4 by a professional extension worker a volunteer leader spends 10 hours This amounts to about 20 W eight- eight hour days each year N l neer lea lex healthy 11 youth adult-youth relationships relationships' ships ships' teach skills and give supervision and encourage encourage- ment Although the number of leaders has doubled in the past decade even more will be needed if H 4 is to offer positive educational opportunities to increasing numbers of youth We cant can't think of a better way to invest in Americas America's third century than by volunteering time and talents to prepare young people for the future |