Summer looks different for everyone. While some see it as a time to relax, others find their schedules just as full as during the school year. As many students are just starting summer break, I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. Try something new. Go somewhere new. Embrace a busy summer and create memories you will remember forever!
Growing up, I loved summer. Not because we got to go to the pool, but because I got to do so many fun things with all my 4-H friends. From camps and workshops to contests, and of course the county fair, summer was always packed with memories. One of my favorite parts of summer was Kidz Kollege week in my county. Kidz Kollege was a week or two filled with morning and afternoon sessions dedicated to making fair projects. Think of any DIY project, and there was probably something similar offered at these workshops. These workshops were so much fun because we got to be creative while trying many different projects. From woodworking projects to baking a caramel apple pie, I learned skills that didn’t just apply to one project, but to many other aspects of life as well.
Another favorite part of my busy 4-H summers was getting to see all my friends that I didn’t go to school with during the year. Even within one county, you get to meet other 4-H’ers from neighboring schools. Summer also brought many opportunities to compete in state contests. My personal favorites took place at the Premier Animal Science Event on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. I competed in both Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Judging on teams with other 4-H’ers from my county, competing against youth from all over the state. With a little competitive fun, we often became friends with our rival counties. Bragging rights and a chance to compete on a national level were on the line, but it always ended with handshakes, laughs, and conversations afterward. I was fortunate enough to meet a few competitors at PASE when I was 14 years old, and six years later we attended the same college together. Getting to continue those friendships in the same college town was so special. I have a strong feeling those friendships won’t end after leaving Lincoln. They are lifelong friendships that started through 4-H.
That brings us to the big event of the year. The county fair! When I think about my childhood, a fair memory is always included. The county fair is so nostalgic. Between the ribbons won, the carnival rides, the wash rack water fights, the lack of sleep, and of course the bingo, it is an experience unlike any other. The county fair highlights all the hard work and dedication put into the 4-H year. Nothing beats the moment when the judge shakes your hand or when you walk up to see the ribbon your project received. Seeing the pride on an 8-year-old’s face as they show off a project they completed by themselves is something special. Once again, it’s a chance for youth to create something that is truly their own.
While these few highlights may not mean much to some, they are some of the most special memories from my 4-H career. These are the moments that make me grateful for all the opportunities and experiences that 4-H has given me over the years. They are also the reason I am so thankful to now be in a career where I get to work with 4-H’ers every day. Having the opportunity to work within this program motivates me to help create these same kinds of memories for today’s youth, because I have got to experience firsthand how much it can impact a person’s life. From the friendships and life skills to the confidence and memories made along the way, 4-H has shaped so much of who I am today.
Kristen Herrick
4-H Extension Assistant
Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County
1400 East 34th St. Kearney, NE 68847 308-236-1235