Purdue Extension is offering a hands-on opportunity for southeast Indiana judges and leaders to enhance or develop their skills to be a judge or a volunteer for Indiana 4-H.

A clinic will be conducted Feb. 4 at the Jackson County Learning Center, 323 DuPont Drive, Seymour (snow date is Feb. 18). Registration/check-in is from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and the workshop is from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. This clinic is ideal for both beginning and tenured judges and 4-H leaders.

The registration fee is $15. The fee includes morning refreshments, lunch and materials. Registration is due by Jan. 27 to the Purdue Extension Lawrence County office.

For information about registering, contact Heather VonDielingen with Purdue Extension Jackson County at 812-358-6101 or [email protected] or Lesley Lodmell with Purdue Extension Lawrence County at 812-275-4623 or [email protected].

Purdue Extension educators from throughout southeast Indiana will be leading the interactive sessions.

All attendees will gather in the morning to learn about the essential elements of positive youth development and diversity/inclusion in 4-H programs. In the afternoon, leaders will learn how to empower youth by using club officers effectively and innovative ways to facilitate group decision making. In the afternoon, judges will learn about experiential learning and then choose a session on livestock, gardening or general project judging.

Hands-on roleplay will help attendees as they seek out judging opportunities this summer. Judges who attend the clinic will be placed on a preferred judges’ list for southeast Indiana 4-H.

You do not have to be a current 4-H volunteer to attend. Check out the clinic to learn more about the Indiana 4-H program and ways you can get involved to mentor youth.

Indiana 4-H is the state’s largest youth development program for grades 3 through 12, reaching more than 200,000 youth in all 92 counties.

Approved 4-H volunteers in each county work with youth to teach young people specific skills related to a wide variety of subjects through hands-on, experiential learning.

For information about the Indiana 4-H program, visit extension.purdue.edu/4h.