4-H is Currently Accepting New Volunteers

COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program invites adults who want to make a difference in the lives of local youth to an orientation for new volunteers. Two training sessions will be offered Sept. 17 and Sept. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office, located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Interested adults need only attend one session.
At the core of the Cape May County 4-H program, and critical to the success of its youth members, are the volunteers who give their time and talents to help 4-H’ers build their leadership skills, gain confidence and learn the value of helping others. These volunteers serve in a number of capacities: some choose to help at the 4-H Fair, teach a workshop, start a new club or help with an existing club, lend their professional skills to help judge a competition or serve on the 4-H Foundation, the advisory council that cares for the 4-H fairgrounds and runs the annual 4-H Fair.
“Without volunteers, 4-H could never exist,” said Linda Horner, Acting 4-H Agent. “They have been the key to the 4-H program’s success since its beginnings over 100 years ago.”
As they provide hands-on guidance and real-world experience, these volunteers also offer young people another crucially important element: a safe adult role model who helps to build their confidence and ignite their dreams for the future. “Over 100 volunteers contribute to our existing programs,” Horner noted, “but there are many more children out there in our county who need the positive personal development that 4-H brings.”
Becoming a 4-H volunteer is a perfect opportunity for 4-H alumni, young graduates looking to add to their resume and increase work experience, parents looking for activities for their children, retirees looking to share their experience and anyone wanting to connect and support young people. Volunteer time commitments are designed to be flexible and can cater to busy schedules.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth grades K – 13 on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, natural origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Cape May County 4-H is celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 5 – 11 with a 4-H Fall Open House and Halloween Fun Horse Show Oct. 5 at the Coover Livestock Pavilion and horse show arena at the rear of the 4-H fairgrounds. The horse show, open to all youth 12th grade and under with their own horses, starts at 11:00 a.m. The 4-H Fall Open House will take place 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Orientation Sessions: If you want to give back to the community by signing up as a Cape May County 4-H volunteer, plan to attend one of the two orientation sessions on either Sept. 17 or Sept. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office, located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Call (609) 465-5115 ext. 605 or e-mail lhorner@cape-may.nj.us for more information or to pre-register. Learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program at the 4-H Foundation website cmc4h.com