Start thinking about 4-H Winterfest coming in February

Youth ages 8-12 years old can learn important life skills at 4-H Winterfest, Feb. 3-4, 2018.

Michigan 4-H Youth Programs offer many opportunities for youth of all ages, but one program that sticks out for 8-12 year olds statewide is 4-H Winterfest. Over 150 youth come together in February at the Kettunen Center, the Michigan 4-H Foundation leader training facility in Tustin, Michigan, and are able to learn about six different sessions of their choice. This fun and educational, two-day workshop will take place Saturday, Feb. 3, and Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Since the overnight workshop is held in February, plans are to include some outdoor activities such as snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, outdoor cooking and possibly hiking in the woods along the trails.

4-H projects are offered to youth so they can start developing life skills, an important piece of 4-H youth development. By letting youth choose which sessions they want to learn more about, they are learning decision-making skills. Showing concern for others, cooperation and teamwork are a few more key life skills youth will learn by attending 4-H Winterfest. Some of the indoor sessions are craft-related, dance movement, healthy living, food preservation, animal science and global relations.

The schedule and registration for 4-H Winterfest will be available in early December—watch the 4-H Events page for more information. You can also check with your Michigan State University Extension county office for more details. This workshop fills up quickly, so it would be a good idea to check with your local 4-H program coordinator as to when workshop registration is open. It is also highly encouraged to send chaperones to help out at this event. Please contact your MSU Extension office as soon as possible if you are interested in attending as a chaperone due to volunteer screening to attend.

Visit the Kettunen Center 4-H Workshops page for information on additional 4-H teen and volunteer leader workshops. MSU Extension and the Michigan 4-H Youth Development program help to prepare young people for successful futures.

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