EAST LANSING, Mich. – Two weeks later and the praises are still rolling in regarding Michigan 4-H’s first-ever Evening in the Garden Event – and it wasn’t just because of the great weather.   

“Just a note to thank you and your group for an outstanding event yesterday. The activities were very well organized and interesting. Even my 3-year-old could participate at the various stations, thanks to patient and helpful volunteers. It was one of the best educational events my children have participated in, and of course, the garden is always wonderful,” emailed Miriam Weber-Nielsen.    

More than 20 4-H activity stations were set up in the Michigan State University (MSU) 4-H Children’s Garden, located on the MSU campus, on the evening of Aug. 16. Participants could practice their chopstick skills and collect buttons from around the globe at the China Art Project, make a bead bracelet representing the water cycle, perform a biofuels demonstration at the Science Blast station, make their own fish tackle with Project FISH, take home a free book from the ABCs of Early Literacy station, grow their own “pea pot pansies,” and learn about and see close up insects, rabbits, chickens and more.    

“The MSU 4-H Children’s Garden was the perfect setting to showcase the diversity of educational experiences that 4-H Youth Programs offer young people and families,” said Sheila Smith, MSU Extension (MSUE) program leader. “MSUE professionals were able to connect with families and highlight programs in their counties that might grab a child’s passion. 4-H Evening in the Garden focused on opportunities for young people between five to 12 years of age. So from robotics to healthy living to animal science to living in a global community to small animals, we are sure that there was lots of variety for kids with all sorts of interests.”    

Out of 70 participants that completed evaluations, 54 of those evaluators said they would like to learn more about 4-H; nine did not respond. Youth attending ranged in age from one year old to 20 years old.    

Sponsors to the Michigan 4-H Foundation provided funding for the 4-H Evening in the Garden event. 4-H is a Michigan State University Extension program. You may visit the 4‑H Children’s Garden at your own convenience.