The summer season brings new opportunities for young people to explore new opportunities and topics. They have the freedom to go on adventures and explore the world around them, read a book, draw, create, and so much more!
All of these are examples of how youth can find something new they love and spark their curiosity. Sparks are activities, sports, or creative experiences, that ignite a passion in youth.
Peter Benson, youth development research professional, defines sparks as “hidden flames in your kids that light their proverbial fire, get them excited, tap into their true passions” (2008). Sparks are the activities and events youth love to do or get naturally excited about participating in.
Youth typically experience three types of sparks: something they are good at (talent or skill), something they care strongly about, and a quality they know is special. Youth can sometimes recognize the sparks within themselves and will describe them as things they ‘love’ to do or activities that excite them. When youth can recognize their own sparks, they may need help igniting them!
As adults, we face the challenge of recognizing sparks in youth and helping them grow. Once recognized, it is important to encourage those sparks to grow and develop. Development of sparks can bridge the gap between the activities youth are doing now to potential careers and their future.
Parents and guardians are integral in the development of sparks in youth, but they are not the only important guides for youth. As 4-H volunteers and leaders, you are a spark developer in the lives of your 4-Hers and the youth around you. You can help identify and develop the sparks within your members. This can be done by encouraging members to express themselves, model or teach them, provide safe spaces and opportunities for 4-H members to communicate their sparks to others, and help them eliminate obstacles that might be in their way.
4-H encourages the development of new skills and allows youth to explore new areas, all of which can already be untapped sparks or become new sparks for youth to discover. As a 4-H volunteer, you are among your 4-H member’s group of spark champions that encourage and provide spaces for them to grow! You have the flame to ignite the sparks of our youth!
Benson, P. L. (2008). Sparks: How parents can help ignite the hidden strengths of teenagers. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
June Reminders
June 1: State Horse Show Entries due.
June 1: State Horse Show Horse Level Testing Must be Complete
June 1: State Horse Show Horse ID's due.
June 1: 4-H T-Shirt Orders due.
June 1: Fair Pass Price Increases.
June 3: Pitzer 4-H Horse Judging Clinic & Contest.
June 3-5: Winners Unlimited Camp.
June 4: AG 360: Exploring Hawaii, Alaska, and Nebraska in VR.
June 4: Clover Kid Workshop (Registration due May 29).
June 5: Baking Healthy and Creative Snacks (Registration due May 29).
June 6: 4-H Small Animal Progress Show.
June 7: Hustler Progress Show
June 8: Let's Paint by Run-A-Ways (Registration due June 1).
June 9-23: Online Horticulture Contest.
June 10: Photography in Your Pocket (Registration due June 5).
June 11-13: Fort Robinson 4-H Horse Camp.
June 13: Cuming County Cream of the Crop Dairy Show.
June 15: 4-H Enrollments due.
June 15: YQCA Must Be Complete.
June 15: County Beef, Dairy, Goats, Sheep, Swine, and Rabbit ID’s due.
June 15: DNA Collection Envelopes due to the Extension Office for Beef, Meat Goats, Sheep, and Swine.
June 15: State Fair Online Nominations and Fees due for Beef, Meat Goats, Sheep, and Swine.
June 15: County Horse ID’s due and Horse Level 1 Testing must be complete for County Fair.
June 15: Livestock Achievement Program Applications due.
June 17-18: Rocketry Workshop (Registration due June 10).
June 17-19: Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series.
June 19: Office Closed in Observance of Juneteenth.
June 20: Arlington Progress Show (Early Registration due June 15).
June 21: Red Willow County Progress Show (Early Registration due June 12).
June 23: Disaster Kit Workshop (Registration due June16).
June 30: Wayne County Fair Entries due.
