By Matthew Anderson
4-H program coordinator
The new year is in full swing, and excitement is building within 4-H. At this time, 4-H youths are actively working on their projects. For those involved with livestock, their journey is just beginning. 4-H is also starting to plan day camps that will take place during spring break and run through fall throughout the Tanana District.
Campers and junior teen counselors at Cloverbud Day Camp 2024 are on the hunt for bugs and stuff to study among the flora and fauna at Georgeson Botanical Garden, located on the UAF Troth Yeddha’ Campus.
The livestock participants are beginning to raise their animals for the Tanana Valley State Fair 4-H show and auction. They have already signed their market agreements and are learning how to properly care for their livestock. The youths are gaining knowledge of essential aspects, such as nutrition, bedding, housing and exercise requirements, for their animals.
Our livestock clubs provide opportunities for youth to observe one another’s livestock setups and to present on how they care for their animals. A key aspect of the learning process in 4-H is “learning by doing.” These opportunities emphasize that principle.
An important outreach effort of 4-H involves day camps. While most of 4-H is centered around clubs led by volunteer leaders — focusing on specific projects such as livestock, sewing, robotics and gardening — day camps are open to all youth in the community, regardless of whether they are enrolled in 4-H.
The day camps include Cloverbud Camp for younger children, Content Creation Camp for high school students, Wildlife and Wildfire Camp for junior high and high school students and more.
One day camp coming soon is the Content Creation Day Camp during spring break. While many people may associate social media videos and shorts with singing or dancing, content creation is becoming an increasingly valuable skill for businesses. Companies are always looking for new ways to reach potential clients and effective content helps create a connection between customers and the business.
This camp, designed for junior high and high school students, will teach participants how to use content creation as a tool in a work setting to engage clients. Students will gain hands-on experience with various equipment, including cameras, screens and audio, as well as video editing techniques.
For more information on 4-H or the upcoming camps, contact Matthew Anderson at mranderson@alaska.edu or call 907-474-2427. Anderson is in the Tanana District office of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, in the Community and Technical College Building at 604 Barnette St. in downtown Fairbanks.
