AMERICUS — More than 6 million young people across the country today celebrate National 4-H Week, an annual celebration of 4-H during the first full week of October. During this week, Sumter County 4-H showcases the great things that 4-H offers young people and highlights the incredible 4-H youth in the community who work each day to make a positive impact on the community. This year, 4-H also showcases creative materials and activities that show the various life skills 4-H grows in young people.
During National 4-H week, 4-H’ers interested in competing in Cotton Boll Consumer Jamboree may attend the interest meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Sumter County Extension Office.  Sumter County 4-H presents Family Percentage Night from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Subway (located inside Wal-Mart). Everyone is invited to stop by and learn more about 4-H. On Friday, Oct. 9, 4-H’ers will have their county council meeting followed by a fun-filled afternoon of games at the Sumter County Extension Office.
Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are:
• Nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities,
• Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors, and
• Two times more likely to engage in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs in the out-of-school time.
In Sumter County, more than 300 4-H youth and several volunteers from the community are involved in the 4-H program.   4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
Sumter County 4-H Club thanks Café Campesino, Farmers Seed & Feed, Americus Veterinary Hospital, Southwest Georgia Farm  Credit, Sunbelt Dealership, Americus Times-Recorder, Sumter News, Americus Observer, WISK radio station, John and& Patricia Fennessy, Junior Service League, Reid Brothers Irrigation & Equipment, for their support of 4-H programming. Learn more about Georgia 4-H at www.georgia4h.org or Sumter County 4-H at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/sumter/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H. Call Sumter County Extension Office at 229-924-4476 for additional information.