When it comes to youth development organizations in the state of Michigan, 4-H is the largest. Each year, more than 200,000 young people, ages 5 to 19, explore the many programs 4-H offers, including those focusing on science, renewable energy, health, and the environment.

Most frequently associated with rural-dwelling families, 4-H is more than merely learning about animal husbandry and agriculture. The organization also offers programs to interest a wide range of urban-dwelling youth as well, with programs such as expressive arts, aerospace, robotics, and citizenship and civic engagement. Programs are facilitated by Michigan State University’s Extension, which brings the university’s vast knowledge resources to the communities in the state. Last summer, 4-H came to Garden City’s Maplewood Community Center, offering a Junior Master Gardener Program and a Robotics Program.

On Monday, January 13, Maplewood Community Center is hosting a 4-H Open House for anyone interested in learning more about 4-H and what it offers young people. The free event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. This year, 4-H will promote a new SPIN Club, or Special Interest Club, which typically lasts for 6 to 8 weeks. The new SPIN Club will focus on Animal Science, and will run from February 3 to March 9.

“Kids might be in sports and doing other activities, but these are activities that are a little bit different from what they would usually be doing,” says Faith Briggs with the Maplewood Community Center. “With Animal Science and Gardening, that’s probably not something that a lot of kids are picking up a book on, but this opens up this topic to them and helps them learn about that.” Briggs says 4-H offers a wide variety of programs to pique a variety of interests youth may have, adding that the Junior Master Gardener Spin Club will return for 2020.

The logo for 4-H is a four-leaved clover, each leaf adorned with an H, each one standing for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. The programs aim to promote positive youth development by teaching basic life skills. The 4-H programs are open to any youth, not merely residents of Garden City.

4-H enrollment is $30 and Briggs says scholarship opportunities are available. Registration should be done in person at the Maplewood Community Center, located at 31735 Maplewood, west of Merriman Road. Briggs says volunteers are always needed to assist with the programs. For more information about 4-H, contact Bershar Chapman at 734-727-7238 or [email protected]. Also learn more at http://www.4h.msue.msu.edu.