“TableTop” side of 4-H
By Lauren Tamm
The Eastern Plains Chamber is proud to highlight 4-H, which is dedicated to growing skills, building confidence and making a difference in the lives of our local youth. 4-H is far more than just an extracurricular activity, 4-H empowers young people through hands-on learning, strong community involvement and leadership development.
While most people naturally associate 4-H with livestock and farming, there is an entire other side to the program making a massive impact: 4-H TableTop. The Eastern Plains Chamber is highlighting this facet of the program, which focuses on growing skills, building confidence and making a difference outside of the barn.
What makes 4-H unique is its “learn by doing” philosophy. Through TableTop, youth engage in hands-on learning across a diverse range of fields:
- STEM Projects: Youth dive into robotics, electricity, rocketry and engineering.
- Arts & Leather craft: Creative expression thrives through sewing, visual arts, leather craft and heritage arts like quilting.
- Culinary Projects: Members build life skills in baking, cake decorating, nutrition and food preservation.
- Outdoorsmanship: Kids connect with nature through outdoor adventures, sports fishing, shooting sports and wildlife studies.
Massive developmental growth
The learning goes far beyond just completing the project itself. The 4-H process is intentionally structured to build critical, real-world life skills, leadership and public speaking.
Members manage local club meetings and carefully document their progress in project record books. The real developmental magic happens during the evaluation phase, where children must give a formal presentation in front of their peers and complete a professional interview in front of a judge.
This training pushes children out of their comfort zones, encouraging massive leaps in communication and self-confidence. Backed by dedicated volunteers and project leaders, these TableTop projects culminate at the county fair with prizes and Star Awards. 4-H TableTop isn’t just teaching hobbies, it is preparing our local youth to become the articulate leaders of tomorrow.
They are always looking for volunteers to help with leading the different projects as well as funding for awards and supplies to support this program. Please contact the CSU Extension office for El Paso County: jennifer.loewen@colostate.edu
