VERMONT — 4-H At Home offers a smorgasbord of programs and activities for kids of all ages with topics ranging from veterinary science, civic engagement and environmental leadership to gardening and nutrition, babysitting and learning to code.
This University of Vermont Extension 4-H website serves as a clearinghouse for learning opportunities designed to teach youths new skills, share information on age-appropriate topics and challenge them to think about important issues. All are open to both 4-H members and non-4-H’ers. In addition, there are links to activity sheets for various livestock species for independent learning as well as resources from other states.
Program descriptions and links to register can be found at uvm.edu/extension/youth/4-h-home. Individuals are encouraged to bookmark this page as it is updated often as new opportunities become available.
The following programs are free, unless otherwise indicated:

FOR YOUNGER KIDS
Cloverbuds Connect Challenge (Grades K-2): A new hands-on activity, such as making ice cream in a bag or learning about trees, is offered every Friday.
Animal Scoops (Grades 3-5): Videos, book recommendations and other activities introduce participants to a variety of animals including white-tailed deer, wild geese, turkeys, bees and llamas and alpacas in these biweekly programs, Sept. 23-Nov. 18.

FOR GRADES 5-8
Babysitting: The three-part course, which will be held on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 and 10, teaches the basics of being a responsible and capable babysitter.

FOR GRADES 6-12
4-H World Changers: The course, which starts on Oct. 15 and runs for six consecutive Thursdays, teaches participants how to code and build a website to take action on an issue of personal importance.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Teens: This program provides an opportunity for civic-minded teens to explore and act on issues related to race. Online discussions will take place on Tuesdays from Oct. 13-Nov. 3 and may continue for additional sessions if there is interest.
Gardening and Nutrition: Sessions on harvesting, preparing and preserving garden vegetables are offered biweekly from Sept. 15 through Nov. 10 with an additional session on Nov. 17.
Youth Environmental Summit: The three-week summit, which focuses on environmental issues and ways teens can take action, kicks off on Oct. 30.

FOR GRADES 7-12
TRY for the Environment: This leadership program trains teens to teach younger students about environmental issues. Two teaching sessions will be offered: January-March with training in December and March-May with training in February. Topics are climate change through waste solutions and watershed science.
VTeen Science Exploration!: These virtual teen science cafés will be offered every Wednesday afternoon through Dec. 16, resuming again in January, to provide insight into various scientific topics including climate change, stress and the nervous system, the challenges of building systems for space, nanotechnology and shark populations.

FOR GRADES 9-12
Advanced Leadership Immersion: Online meetings will be held the second weekend of every month from October to May for teens interested in becoming more effective leaders. The program is offered in conjunction with the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont and requires an application. Tuition is on a “pay what you can” basis.
Veterinary Science: Offered every Friday from Oct. 16-Nov. 13, this course delves into several aspects of veterinary medicine including anatomy, diagnosis and treatment options.

FOR ADULTS
Askable Adult Training: Adults who want to learn how to communicate more effectively and become more supportive for the kids in their lives can sign up for one of the three two-part sessions offered this fall. Dates are Sept. 21 and 23; Oct. 26 and 28, or Nov. 16 and 18.
Contact Allison Smith, 4-H Youth Learning Experiences coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions.