MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. – Youths from ages 12 to 19 take note! This summer you could have the opportunity to explore options at a university in Michigan while also creating friendships, gaining leadership experience, and working on independence. Michigan State University is hosting 4-H Exploration Days which is an event through which youths gather to learn about some opportunities for future careers while also gaining important life skills.
A variety of interesting topics will be explored through 100 hands-on learning sessions.
“There’s lots of stuff with computers and robots and things like that,” said Liana Pepin, the Marquette County 4-H Program Coordinator and Extension Coordinator. “There’s always a lot of interest in photography. There’s also sailing and kayaking. Let’s see, there’s American Sign language. Lots of different choices. I mean, there’s something for everyone. There’s acting, there’s cooking, there’s different cultural experiences. So the sky’s the limit.”
On June 17th, a bus will transport the Marquette County delegation along with other Western U.P. counties through to Chicago where they will stay the night. Tuesday’s agenda will involvevisiting the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum in Chicago before heading to East Lansing.
4-H Exploration Days will officially take place from June 19th through the 21st. The goal of the event is to provide the attendees the opportunity to experience campus life by staying in MSU’s residence halls, eating at the on campus facilities, as well as taking part in learning sessions in university lecture halls and classrooms. This will provide youths the chance to learn important life skills such as time management, responsibility, and problem solving while they independently navigate life on campus.
“Young people get an opportunity to experience different parts of our area, meaning the state of Michigan and beyond this year, because they’re going through Chicago,” said Pepin. “They get to meet and mingle with young people from all over the state, and they’re there with a bunch of caring adults who are guiding them through the experience. And they come back with new skills, with new friends, with maybe a renewed sense of their future. Right? So, they just really, they’re excited and it’s a highlight for most of our kids. They talk about it all year long. They can’t wait to go again.”
To learn more about registering your youth for 4-H Exploration Days, you can contact Liana Pepin at [email protected]. To learn more about this event, you can find the brochure posted on the Marquette County Michigan 4-H Facebook page here. To learn more about Marquette County 4-H and other opportunities they offer, you can find their website here and their Facebook page here.
— with files from upmatters.com
