4-H Exploration Days
June 20 to 22, 2012 at Michigan State University
Ever wanted to know what it’s like to build and launch your own rocket? Or learn to use GPS? Or dance hip hop? How about being an entrepreneur by developing and selling your product?
Want to explore the MSU campus? Develop and expand career and personal interests? Make a friend that’s not just on Facebook? Eat some famous MSU Dairy Store ice cream?
All of these things can be done at 4-H Exploration Days!
Every year, approximately 2,500 youth and chaperones from just about every Michigan county, descend on MSU’s East Lansing campus for the premiere pre-college event—4-H Exploration Days.
At 4-H Exploration Days, you’ll:
- Learn new ideas and skills that will make you think about careers AND teach you something you can use back home
- Get involved and learn by doing, not just sitting and listening
- Try things that just aren’t available in your county
- Get to be independent and responsible for yourself by managing your time, making good decisions and working as a team
- Meet people who are—and aren’t—like you, from every part of the state, face-to-face instead of on Facebook
- Have the entire Michigan State University campus—and everything you can do there—right outside your window
Check out the one-page 2011 annual report at 4-H Exploration Days Annual Report.pdf to learn more about this MSU pre-college program.
How?
- There’ll be more than 200 session choices held on and off campus. You’ll choose one or two for your three-day stay.
- You’ll live in a Michigan State University dorm and eat in the cafeteria—just like MSU students do.
- Sessions are taught by people who know their stuff, including MSU faculty members, 4-H volunteers and staff members and other experts.
- It’s not all sessions! There’s plenty of time for fun, including swimming, skating, souvenir shopping, exploring, bowling, basketball—even a great dance Thursday night.
- If you were at least 11 years old on January 1, 2012, you can attend Exploration Days. You don’t even have to be a 4-H member!
- The 2012 cost is $165 ($175 for those not enrolled in 4-H yet). The fee includes all meals, a shared room in a dorm, your sessions and a t-shirt. If you commute instead of staying in a dorm, the cost is $110 (or $120 if you’re not a 4-H member yet). There might be some scholarships available, so check with your county MSU Extension office.
- Registration opens March 20, 2012. Registration books that show all of the sessions and details on everything happening during Exploration Days will be available online and from county Extension offices in March.
- Registration deadlines (usually the end of April) vary by county, so check with your county MSU Extension office. Don’t wait until the deadline though, because popular sessions fill up fast!
- Contact the 4-H staff in your county MSU Extension office for more information on 4-H Exploration Days, and the details for your county’s delegation.
For Parents and Volunteers
Participant evaluation responses are overwhelmingly positive. Parents and 4-H volunteers have remarked that they notice many improvements in their children’s interest, knowledge and social skills after they attend 4-H Exploration Days. Participants often return to MSU as students due to the positive experiences they’ve had during 4-H Exploration Days. You can read the one-page 2011 annual report at 4-H Exploration Days 2011 Annual Report.pdf.
All adults who attend will serve as a session host, activity host, instructor, session helper or county conference assistant, in addition to the role you play as a staff member or volunteer chaperone for a county delegation. There must be at least one chaperone for every 10 youths of the same gender.
Volunteer instructors, session helpers and county conference assistants attend the event at no cost. County-based MSU Extension staff who serve as session instructors or CCAs will receive full scholarships; county staff who serve as session helpers will receive $80 scholarships.
Video and Podcast Previews of the Event
Information for Registered Participants
Prepayment deposits are fully refundable until 5 p.m. on May 11, 2012. There is a $50 cancellation fee for participants who cancel after May 11 through June 20, 5 p.m. A $75 no show fee will be incurred by participants who cancel after 5 p.m. on June 20, or don’t show up to the event.
If you are wondering what to expect, you can check out last year’s Activity Guide online. (The 2012 version will not be available until late May 2012). For more information on 4-H Exploration Days, contact the 4-H staff in your county MSU Extension office.
Residence Hall Information
2012 4-H Exploration Days participants will stay in Akers, Holmes, and Hubbard halls. The Exploration Days headquarters will be in West Akers.
Your dorm will loan you a towel, 2 sheets, a pillow and pillow case for your three-day stay. (Bring your own washcloth if you want one.)
4-H Exploration Days is partially about getting away from everyone back home, but if you feel like you have to call someone, there’s a phone in your dorm’s lobby that you can use with a credit or calling card. You can buy pre-paid calling cards from the hall Sparty Convenience Stores. Don’t look for pay phones, because MSU doesn’t have any (and no, there aren’t any phones in the dorm rooms). Cell phones are okay to bring as long as they are used responsibly. No calls or texting during session time, county meetings, during the night or at Wharton Center.
Related programs
For information about the pre-college programs offered at MSU, please visit Spartan Youth Programs at http://www.spartanyouth.msu.edu. You’ll find a multitude of programs that can help you develop valuable skills, make new friends and taste college life.
Contact
Judy
Ratkos,
Senior Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
MSU Extension - Children and Youth Institute
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: 517-432-7613
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)