Thanks to the efforts of Howard Scott, trip organizer, several 4-H Agents had the unique professional development opportunity to participate in a study tour of Virginia 4-H Programs in September 2004. Participants included Erin Sill, Tara Taylor, Patricia Cahoon, Howard Scott, Chad Ray, Nina Crawford, Bridget Kirk, and Nicole Mitchell. Agents traveled to many different counties in Virginia and visited the National 4-H Council in Maryland. The study tour gave 4-H Agents the opportunity to learn about 4-H programming in Virginia. This professional development experience provided 4-H Agents with new ideas on how to implement and expand youth development activities in their counties. Participants learned innovative and different approaches to programs for youth and volunteers. The study tour challenged agents to get “out-of-the-box” in their programming efforts for county clients. Participants visited Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Fairfax, and Spotsylvania counties and observed excellence in 4-H Club Programming, 4-H Afterschool, Environmental Programming, 4-H Camp, and 4-H Horse Shows. After each county visit study tour participants discussed the opportunities and the challenges faced by the different youth development professionals. We realized that as youth development professionals we all face some of the same challenges. Along with creative ideas to bring back to the county, participants received numerous resources to take home for youth and volunteers.
NC Agents also had the opportunity to visit with the National 4-H Council, which included an open panel discussion with several members from the staff including Dr. Eddie Locklear, who gave us insight into the National 4-H Afterschool Initiative. The group learned about the priorities and initiatives of the National Leadership Trust. The top three priorities include, 1) Articulate the Essential Elements of 4-H and communicate to all partners to use as benchmarks, 2) Create a dynamic, youth- oriented image of 4-H in the 21st century in 12 months, and 3) Increase effectiveness of 4-H securing NEW sources of public and private funding and articulate the responsibility of each partner in this effort. The five initiatives include, 1) 4-H Afterschool: Providing safe learning environments, 2) Youth in Governance: Empowering youth for civic progress, 3) Science & Technology: Putting the universe at their fingertips, 4) Healthy Lifestyles: Growing into a healthy future, and 5) Professional Development: Strengthening the heart and soul of 4-H. The group also learned how to access “Clover Corner News” : http://www.4husablogs.org/ccn/ ,an excellent source for grant opportunities and other resources and were made aware of the excellent marketing resources available through the Council. The Council would like to encourage everyone to start implementing their current 4-H message, “4-H is a community of young people across America, learning leadership, citizenship and life skills”. Their marketing department is working very hard to ensure the 4-H message across the nation is uniform.
After the study tour, participants discussed the outcomes and impacts of this unique experience and feel very lucky to have had such an opportunity. We would like to sincerely thank Howard Scott, Dr. Wanda Sykes, and Virginia Cooperative Extension for making this happen. The group feels the learning experience will benefit their professional careers and their county 4-H programs. The study tour ignited a passion for what we do as youth development professionals and the positive impact we have on our youth!

See our pictures!