The number of opportunities available to area members of the 4-H is about to expand.
Grand Traverse County 4-H will begin a new semi-annual process this fall for approving the distribution of competitive grants to encourage development of age-appropriate educational 4-H programs in the county. Approximately $2,500 will be available for the 2007-08 program year.
"The money, which comes from the membership fee charged to participants, is to be used to expand programing. We have a lot of creative people out there who have great ideas to share, now they may be able to get the financial support,” said Wanda Repke, 4-H extension educator of the Michigan State University Extension program in Traverse City.
Grants will be awarded to promote innovative, youth and adult partnerships that utilize the experiential learning model (Do-Reflect-Apply) to provide positive 4-H youth development opportunities for and with young people.
"From the 4-H perspective we are looking for something that is more than a one time experience. Kids and adults develop relationships over time,” Repke said.
Goals for the grant recipients should include:
n Encouragement of new or expanded 4-H approaches that better engage youth in their own learning experience.
• Support youth and adult partnerships.
• Encourage opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills.
• Provide 4-H experiences for young people to recognize, understand and appreciate diversity.
• Offer opportunities for youth to become active citizens through their service and leadership.
Area adult and youth volunteers, community groups, schools or others who would like to create or expand 4-H volunteer and youth development programs, events or activities are eligible to apply.
All programs that receive grant funds must reflect the 4-H name, emblem and programming philosophy, as well as ensure adults are officially processed and enrolled as 4-H volunteers and youth are enrolled as 4-H members.
Grant applications are available starting this week and are due by November 1 and March 1. They are available through the Grand Traverse County MSU Extension by calling 922-4825 or online at http://www.msue.msu.edu/grandtraverse. Grant recipients will be announced on December 1 and April 1.