As families are back from summer vacations and getting ready to enjoy Nevada’s beautiful fall season, University of Nevada, Reno Extension is hosting some special events for kids and their parents that provide hands-on educational activities and information on 4-H clubs and opportunities, as well as ways to incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into the busy school routine. Here is some information on a few upcoming events in Northern Nevada. More 4-H activities happening across the state can be found online at county 4-H websites. 

4-H Fall Festival – Reno, Aug. 30

This free event is a way for youth to explore what Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program in Washoe County has to offer, with animals and exhibits that show the breadth of 4-H clubs and activities open to youth in Washoe County. It runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rancho San Rafael Park’s Farm & Families Area, 1595 N. Sierra Street. Adults and kids age 9 and up can try their hand at inflatable hoverball archery or air rifle target practice. Projects by 4-H members will feature gardening, sewing and more. Youth can learn about livestock, horses, small animals, and even amphibians and reptiles. 

Youth ages 5-18 can sign up to participate in 4-H for $1 a year. For more information, visit the 4-H website for Washoe County, or call Sam Mitchell at 775-336-0259, or email Rachel Kaiser-Schoen. 

Healthy Kids Festival – Reno, Sept. 13

This free event is designed for families with youth ages 3-8, but all families are welcome. It focuses on learning through interactive activities about how to eat healthy and stay physically active. Families can learn about how food grows, taste healthy snacks, shop for fruits and vegetables, and enjoy fun physical activities and nutrition games. Some examples of activities include:

• The Grow Station, to discover how sweet potatoes grow and how they are harvested.
• The Try Station, to taste a sweet potato snack featuring a University-created recipe (sweet potato and banana smoothie).
• The Buy Station, to enjoy a free "farmers market," where children can “purchase” fresh fruits and vegetables to take home and eat.
• The Physical Literacy Station, to engage in physical activity by playing games and doing activities.
• The Nutrition/MyPlate Station, to learn about healthy snacks and how to create healthy meals. 

Those interested in attending are encouraged to bring water, wear their sneakers and preregister online. 

Nevada 4-H State Expo – Fallon, Sept. 25-27, celebrating the Year of the Snake

The Nevada 4-H State Expo provides an opportunity to connect with 4-H and explore the unique projects and activities that the youth development program has to offer. The event is held at the at the 3C Event Complex in Fallon, 227 Sheckler Road, and is a free, family-friendly event showcasing the talents and hard work of 4-H youth from across Nevada. From livestock and shooting sports to art, science and showmanship, attendees can explore hands-on exhibits, cheer on competitors, and talk with 4-H members and volunteers about opportunities in 4-H. 

“This year’s event is going to be pretty special,” said Lindsay Chichester, Nevada’s 4-H Program director. “It’s the Year of the Snake, so we’ve had some fun using that as a theme to provide some snake-themed entries and exhibits. Extension’s Master Gardeners helped with some specific horticulture exhibits for the theme. It’s just going to be a lot of fun, and it’s a great thing to attend if you’re contemplating getting involved in 4-H.” 

The event kicks off at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, with the livestock show. Some highlights on Friday include shooting sports matches and small animal shows, followed by the 4-H Fun Run at 7 p.m., open to participants of all ages for a $20 registration fee, which includes a Nevada 4-H State Expo t-shirt. Runners and walkers are welcome, and all proceeds benefit Nevada 4-H. Register online for the fun run. Saturday is also packed with activities, with just a few highlights being the horse show, large animal activities, and the herpetology show featuring reptiles and amphibians. 

There will also be a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting the Nevada 4-H Shooting Sports Program to support youth members attendance at national events and competitions. Donations for the auction are still being accepted; email Kristina Williams or call her at 775-887-2252 to donate. 

For more information on the Nevada 4-H State Expo, email Nevada 4-H or call at 775-784-4779. Register online to attend, where you will also find a complete schedule of activities. 

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance to attend any of these events should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information. 

4-H adult volunteers needed

Nevada’s 4-H Program is also looking for more adult volunteers to lead clubs or activities, chaperone at camps, help at special events, teach curriculum at after-school programs and more. Find out more online. 

4-H in Nevada and nationwide

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. For more than 90 years, Extension has administered a 4-H Program in Nevada, part of one of the largest youth organizations in the U.S. Many 4-H alumni have become elected state officials, legislators and teachers, contributing greatly to the state and their communities. 4-H is a learn-by-doing life-skills program that teaches youth communication, self-concept, team-building, problem-solving, decision-making, self-responsibility, conflict resolution, aspiration-building, goal-setting, community leadership and career development. Studies have shown that youth who participate in 4-H are:

• twice as likely to feel positive about their well-being,
• three times more likely to feel competent,
• twice as likely to make healthier choices,
• twice as likely to participate in out-of-school-time science programs, and
• four times more likely to make a positive contribution to their communities.