MSU Extension - Kalamazoo County 4-H

Mission: To provide fun, educational opportunities that empower young people with skills to lead for a lifetime and become the foundation for future success.

Michigan 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the state, with nearly 200,000 youth between the ages of 5 and 19 participating. Because Michigan 4-H is part of MSUExtension, the activities your kids participate in are all backed by and based on child development research. We use experiential (i.e. hands-on) learning and time spent intentionally thinking about what’s been learned to make it a meaningful experience, with skills and ideas learned that last a lifetime.

It’s a fact: kids who participate in 4-H get better grades, are more likely to go to college, are less likely to use drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, and are more likely to give back to their communities.

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses.  For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan’s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower our children to dream of a successful future.

4-H Youth Development is run by MSU Extension.  4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Our vision is a world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.