VALLEY — As October approaches, we’re getting ready for a new 4-H year. As you may know, 4-H is a youth development program for youth ages 8 to 18, where kids participate in local clubs, work on projects, complete community service, and gain valuable life skills. To help people see what the program is all about, we’re hosting free 4-H open house events in coming weeks.

We encourage families to come out to our open houses from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25 at HobbyTown in Alamosa, or Thursday, October 11 at the SLV Area Extension office in Monte Vista. At these events, we will showcase some of the projects 4-H offers with hands-on activities for attendees. Kids can drop in anytime during the open houses to decorate a cookie, build a paper rocket, and complete a wildlife collage.

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. Members develop life skills while “learning by doing” through work on various projects, such as cake decorating, robotics, livestock, woodworking, shooting sports, and sewing.

In the San Luis Valley, more than 300 youth, ages 5 to 18, and 65 volunteers from the community are involved in 4 H. While livestock projects remain our most popular, we have experienced leaders in a number of other areas, such as robotics, horse, dog, woodworking and archery. These caring adults help provide youth with training and support to grow their experience and knowledge of these project areas. Kids raise animals, train dogs, decorate cakes, bake, build, sew, ride horses, and more.

In addition to project work, 4-H youth have opportunities to take on leadership positions in their clubs and communities. Kids run meetings, plan events, and help with education and outreach activities. You can meet some of our inspiring youth leaders at our open houses!

4-H members also practice public speaking, and do community service projects to improve their world. Research has shown that young people in 4-H are almost four times as likely to contribute to their communities, and are twice as likely to make healthier life choices than their non-4-H peers.

I encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about SLV 4-H to join us at our upcoming open houses. You can also support the program by purchasing a Paper Clover at Tractor Supply in Alamosa during National 4-H Week, October 3 to 14. To find out about all of the events we’re offering to kick off the 4-H year, including robotics open houses, Cloverbuds and more, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/slv4h. We look forward to “making the best better” with you in our 2018-19 4-H year!

Amy Henschen is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Colorado State University Extension. To find out more about Extension and the 4-H program visit http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu or call 719-852-7381. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.