4-H Exploration Days

June 19 to 21, 2013 at Michigan State University4-H Exploration Days 2013

Develop and expand career and personal interests. Explore the MSU Campus. 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 every Michigan county (or close to it), come stay at MSU for 4-H Exploration Days. This really fun MSU pre-college program could be the highlight of your summer - it could even change your life!

This MSU pre-college program is designed to:

  • Increase responsibility, confidence, independence, accountability, problem-solving, decision-making and time management skills.
  • Increase communication, team work, citizenship, and leadership skills.
  • Foster ability to meet new people and make new friends from different places and backgrounds.
  • Develop and expand career and personal interests.
  • Increase college exploration and access to the Michigan State University campus and everything you can do at MSU - right outside your window!
  • Develop social and academic skills needed for a successful transition to college and life as an adult.
  • Give youth opportunities to try things that aren’t available in their county.

Learn more by reviewing the one-page 2012 Impact Summary and the full 2012 4-H Exploration Days Evaluation Summary.

How to enroll:

Your point of entry for 4-H Exploration Days registration and fee payment is through your local MSU Extension 4-H staff person in the county where you live.  If you need to obtain contact information for your county 4-H staff, visit: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/county/ and click on your county name. The county 4-H staff there will process your registration and payment with the State MSUE/4-H office.  4-H Exploration Days annually draws about 2,500 participants from across the state. County 4-H staff manage the recruitment, chaperone and orientation process.

What’s it like?

  • 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 are at least 11 years old on January 1, 2013, you can attend Exploration Days. You don’t even have to be a 4-H member!
  • The 2013 cost is $165 and $175 for those not enrolled in 4-H yet. The fee includes meals, a shared room in a dorm, sessions and a t-shirt. You  may wish to check with your county MSU Extension office to see if scholarship funds are available.
  • Registration opens March 19, 2013. 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 any specific details pertaining to your county’s delegation.

For Parents and Volunteers

Each year participant evaluation responses are overwhelmingly positive. Many parents and 4-H volunteers notice 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 2012 annual report at 4-H Exploration Days 2012 Annual Report.pdf.

All adults who attend 4-H Exploration Days will serve as a session host, activity host, instructor, session helper or county conference assistant; in addition to any role held 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

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

For information regarding registration, scholarship support, housing and orientation, contact the MSU Extension 4-H staff in the county where you live. If you need to obtain contact information for your county MSUE 4-H staff, visit: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/county/ and click on your county name.

For general information regarding 4-H Exploration Days, 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)

 

4-H Youth Development | Agriculture Hall | 446 W. Circle Drive Room 160 | East Lansing, MI, 48824 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)