The public is invited to “Travel Around the 4-H World” during an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the library at Seymour High School, 1350 W. Second St.

Interactive activities will be set up for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade to learn more about the projects offered in Jackson County 4-H.

Booths will be set up for robotics, science, 4-H trips, cake decorating, livestock, Mini 4-H, beekeeping, sewing, healthy living, crafts and foods. There also will be a fun photo booth.

Computers will be available for adults to enroll or re-enroll their children in 4-H. Program fees are $20 for youth in Grades 3 through 12 and $5 for youth in kindergarten through second grade.

Attendees are asked to enter through the bus lobby doors off of Second Street.

4-H is a premier source of enjoyable, educational programs to help young people reach their full potential, said Heather VonDielingen, 4-H youth development educator for Jackson County.

Indiana 4-H is the state’s largest youth development program for Grades 3 through 12, reaching more than 200,000 youth in all 92 counties. 4-H youth development extension educators in each Purdue Extension county office coordinate local activities.

In Jackson County, approved adult volunteers teach young people specific skills related to a wide variety of subjects through hands-on, experiential learning. Youth also develop leadership and citizenship skills by participating in one of 36 organized 4-H clubs. Subjects include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); agriculture; citizenship; healthy living; art; consumer and family sciences; and more.

In 2013, a Tufts University study showed that 4-H members also excel in positive youth development areas compared to peers, including:

• Four times more likely to contribute to their communities (Grades 7 through 12)
• Two times more likely to make healthier choices (Grade 7)
• Two times more likely to be civically active (Grades 8 through 12)
• Two times more likely to participate in extracurricular STEM programs (Grades 10 through 12)

Now, the new 4-H online system makes it even more convenient to offer enrollment, event registration, calendars and secure payment online.

Youth may enroll in Jackson County 4-H online at in.4honline.com or by visiting by the Purdue Extension Jackson County office in the Jackson County Courthouse, 111 S. Main St., Suite 10, Brownstown, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

For information about specific 4-H activities in Jackson County or the 4-H program in general, visit extension.purdue.edu/jackson. You also can “like” Purdue Extension Jackson County on Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest announcements and activities.

Information: Heather VonDielingen at 812-358-6101 or [email protected] for information about 4-H in Jackson County