State 4-H leaders sponsor financial assistance

BROOKINGS — The South Dakota 4-H Leader’s Association annually sponsors financial assistance for youth wanting to attend 4-H summer camp programs.

“The South Dakota 4-H Leaders are proud to sponsor these scholarships each year. The yearly camps allow youth to meet new friends, experience new culture, learn new things, and have a lot of fun,” said Donna Bittiker, SDSU Extension State 4-H Program director.

The many opportunities include: 4-H Camp at Lake Poinsett; 4-H camp at Camp Bob Marshall near Custer; Performing Arts Camp in Aberdeen and the Teen Leadership Conference in Brookings.

Thanks to the generous support of the South Dakota 4-H Leader’s Association 4-H members can apply for $25 in financial assistance to attend 4-H Camp at Lake Poinsett or Bob Marshall or $50 for participation in Teen Leadership Conference or Performing Arts Camp.

When 4-H members apply for scholarships, they agree to share their camp experiences with one local group if they attend 4-H Camp or two local groups if they attend Teen Leadership Camp or Performing Arts participants.

“Participants can share their 4-H club or a civic group,” Bittiker explained.

Participants will receive their scholarship after they submit their application.

Scholarship application details

Scholarship application forms are due by December 31, 2018. Forms can be found at http://www.santel.net/~sd4hleaders/doc/App-CampFeeAssistance-2018.pdf.

The registration deadlines for the summer opportunities are drawing near.

Please follow these steps:

• Step 1: Register for the 2018 camp and pay the full camp fee.

• Step 2: Attend camp

• Step 3: Tell a group about camp

— For the $25 4-H Camp scholarship one group.

— For the $50 Teen Leadership Camp or Performing Arts Camp scholarship, two groups.

• Step 4: Complete the camp assistance/scholarship application form complete with necessary signatures and submit to the South Dakota 4-H Leaders Association.

• Step 5: All youth who complete all steps will receive scholarship within 2 weeks of its receipt.

The South Dakota 4-H Leaders Association raises these funds for scholarships through two State Fair dances held Saturday and Sunday night during S.D. State Fair and through the sale of 4-H attire at the Leaders Booth in Nordby Hall during State Fair.

Both of these activities receive volunteer assistance from many of the 4-H leaders and parents throughout the state. For additional information please visit http://www.southdakota4hleaders.com/.

Questions, contact Susan Karels, SD 4-H Leaders Association President and Grant County 4-H Leader at Susan.Karels@k12.sd.us.