University 4-H club to hold special closing social

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/ Section 2

The Utah State University 4-H club will hold a closing recruitment social on April 24th. Existing members will be in attendance as well as new members who are looking for volunteer opportunities within the program.

In previous years, the social was limited to existing members. This year, the club president and council has extended an invitation to interested individuals seeking to learn more about the club.

Kaleb Esplin, club president, is excited for the change.

“Anybody> is welcome to come, even if you have never been to an activity before," he said.

The social will be held at Utah State University’s Bear Lake Training Center where students will spend time participating in a group service project as well as a bonfire ceremony.

“We will be eating great food, hanging out and having a fun time,” Esplin said.

The 4-H club council hopes to recruit new freshman members at the activity and excite them about upcoming activities that will take place in the fall.

“This club is perfect for incoming freshmen,” Esplin said. "Since our club is centered on service, we attract a wide variety of students so everyone is sure to fit in.”

Esplin said freshman participation in the club will help students look outward by serving others. He explained that people who are in collegiate 4-H have a great sense of community and are close to one another, and that type of environment is what freshmen are looking for.

Ashley White, a council member within the club, is determined that the retreat will help freshmen realize the leadership potential the club has to offer them.

"Our club is one of the few 4-H collegiate clubs in the nation,” White said. “We have received the opportunity to visit other universities to discuss club expansion, which has been a wonderful leadership experience.”

White believes that recruiting freshmen at the closing social will help make an impact with the promotion process. She explained that new recruits bring new leaders and new ideas.

“I joined collegiate 4-H as a freshman, and it has made a huge impact on my life,” Esplin said. “I have made new friends, found a ton of opportunities for leadership, given over 300 hours of service, and have made so many memories. If you want something great to add to your USU experience, look no farther than collegiate 4-H.”

For more information on the club visit www.utah4h.org.