Sparks! Not the dangerous kind, but the kind that ignite the fire within our youth! Peter Benson defines sparks as “hidden flames in your kids that light their proverbial fire, get them excited, tap into their true passions” (2008). These sparks are what motivate our youth to participate in their many activities, events, and ways they spend their time. Sparks are the things youth love to do and get naturally excited about doing.
Youth typically experience three types of sparks. They are 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 setting them a blaze. Once you recognize sparks in youth, 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. Any adult or role model in a youth’s life can become a “spark champion” (Benson, 2008). Spark champions are those who will support and encourage youth on their spark journey, but are not directly in contact with the youth every day.
As 4-H volunteers and leaders, you are a spark champion in the lives of your 4-Hers. You can help identify and develop the sparks within your members. This can be done through helping them identify their sparks, encouraging members to express it, model or teach it, 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 4-H Events
June 1: 4-H T-Shirt Orders DUE.
June 1: Clover Kid Camp, Wayne County Fairgrounds (Registration DUE May 26)
June 2: Next Chapter 3, 9 a.m. and Next Chapter 4, 1 p.m. (Registration DUE May 30).
June 4: Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) Registration DUE.
June 6: YQCA (Quality Assurance), Pierce County Pavilion, Pierce.
June 7-8: Rocket Workshop, Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Registration DUE May 26).
June 11-16: Big Red Camps.
June 15: Virtual Bee Hotel Workshop, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (Registration DUE June 2).
June 15: 4-H Council, 7 p.m, 4-H Building, Wayne County Fairgrounds.
June 15: Enrollment DUE.
June 15: All ID’s DUE.
June 15: DNA Samples DUE to the Office.
June 15: Online State Fair Nominations DUE.
June 15: Horse Level Testing for County Fair must be complete.
June 15: Livestock Achievement Program Reg DUE.
June 19: Extension Office Closed, Juneteenth observed.
June 19-21: Youth Leadership Conference (YLC), Camp Comeca, Cozad.
June 21-22: PASE, Lincoln (Registration DUE June 1).
June 21: Acrylic Painting Workshop, 2 – 4:30 p.m. (Registration Due June 9).
June 22: Pancakes Around the World Workshop (Registration DUE June 16).
June 23: Premier Communication Event, Lincoln East Campus.
June 23: Reversible Holiday Sign Workshop, Fairgrounds (Registration DUE June 9).
June 24: Madison County Roping Event, Madison County Fairgrounds.
June 28: Wood Burning – Cutting Boards Workshop, Fairgrounds (Registration DUE June 16).
