4-H is the biggest youth organization in the world. Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on and practice leadership roles.

Kids can experience 4-H on the parish, district, and state level through in-school and after-school programs and community clubs and 4-H camps.

4-H is for all 4-12 graders. There are a number of clubs to join in St. John Parish: Ascension of Our Lord, East St. John Preparatory, East St. John High, Emily C Watkins Elementary, Fifth Ward Elementary, Grayville Magnet, John L. Ory, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, LaPlace Elementary, St. John Alternative, Riverside Academy, St. Peter, West St. John Elementary, West St. John High and Member at Large.

Each club is unique in its own way, but St. John is one club when going onto the district and state level activities.

There are St. John Parish activities offered to every member in the parish. St. John has the 4-H pumpkin decorating contest, food & fitness camp, cookery contest, sewing clinics, Shooting Sports, pet show, art contests, summer camps, weekend camps and Achievement Day.

Achievement Day is when all members from the parish are invited to celebrate their accomplishments through-out the year. It is a fun day held on a school day in the month of April where each club will have matching T-shirts, cheers, chants, and/or banners.

Every club shows off their 4-H pride as their club or member receive different awards. At the end clubs can receive the “Better Club” award.

Members can attend activities around the United States by either winning or by signing up. Many events are in Louisiana: 4-H camp, 4-H University, Lost Camp, Livestock shows, Challenge Camp, Ag Magic, Jr. Leader Camp, Co-Op Camp and State board activities.

Do not miss out signing up your child to join 4-H. Enroll your child by Oct. 31. Contact the 4-H office at 985-497-3261 or myself, Brittney Ivey, at bivey@agcenter.lsu.edu or your school for more information about how to enroll in 4-H TODAY!

The LSU AgCenter is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Anyone needing special accommodations for any of our programs should contact us at least two weeks prior to the event.

Brittney Ivey is the assistant extension agent for 4-H in St. John the Baptist Parish. Call 985-497-3261.