The vision for the 4-H program and ideas on how to make it more relevant to the youth of Morgan County were discussed at a meeting of the 4-H Adult Advisory Council Nov. 18.

“We are able to maintain a high level of interest among 4-H’ers through elementary school,” said Kenneth Gamble, 4-H Foundation agent for Morgan and Lawrence counties, “but lose a lot of them after that because of their participation in sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities.

“Our vision is to have a caring and responsible adult to lead our 4- H groups,” Gamble added, “as well as attracting others interested in 4-H to serve on the 4-H Advisory Council. We need help in promoting 4-H and coming up with ways we can reach the under-served youth in Morgan County.

“With the kids we reach and work with, we see positive turnarounds,” Gamble said. “For instance, our robotics program has become popular in the elementary schools. It helps students with math, builds teamwork and improves study habits. It’s giving them a heads-up as far as preparing themselves for middle school.”

Volunteers were able to voice their opinions as well.

“I miss Jump Rope for Heart in the schools,” said Vicki Linley, a 4-H volunteer. “I learned today at a teacher’s meeting in Birmingham that ‘Hoops for Heart’ is a very popular 4-H event in Louisiana schools. Students pay $5 for 10 shots at a basketball hoop. The American Heart Association gets the money but the 4-H’ers get credit for sponsoring the event.”

Council members agreed that such a project would be a good event for the 4-H Youth Council to sponsor and asked 4-H team leader Challie Johnson to pass the idea on to the youth council.

Suggestions offered for other 4-H projects included sponsoring archery, gun, fishing and Relay for Life teams from the ranks of middle, junior high and high school students. They also discussed participating in Christmas parades and other community events.

Gamble noted that on-gong 4-H activities include summer encampments, enrichment trips, robotic competitions and fundraisers.

“A student doesn’t have to be enrolled in a 4-H group to participate,” Gamble pointed out.

Gamble said 75 to 100 older youth are currently enrolled in the 4-H program.