More than 1,000 youths are heading to Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 28- Dec. 6. It's time for the 75th Annual National 4-H Congress.
Delegates from 46 states and two territories will join state advisors, 4-H staffs, donors and volunteers in Memphis. Vice President and Mrs. Al Gore are honorary chairs of this year's National 4-H Congress.
"Each state has its own way to choose delegates to National 4-H Congress," said Susan Stewart, National Congress director. Stewart is a University of Georgia 4-H specialist.
"In Georgia, the delegates are the 49 project winners at State 4- H Congress," she said.
This year's National Congress will build on 4-H's tradition of education. The youths will attend seminars ranging from ethics, career planning and organization to diversity, character and success.
The teens will help produce a national satellite town hall meeting, too. The meeting will seek answers to national youth issues. Well-known motivational speaker Dan Clark will lead it.
The group will tour historic Memphis. They'll see the Memphis Zoo, Mud Island and the National Civil Rights Museum. And they'll cruise the Mississippi on a river boat.
But this Congress isn't just fun and games. The delegates will also give back to their host city. They'll visit many Memphis community agencies and volunteer a day helping others.
"We want these young people to have a well-rounded experience at National Congress," Stewart said. "We include educational opportunities, cultural activities, service projects and, of course, a lot of fun."
After they return from Congress, the youths will share what they've done and seen. They'll try to involve others in their counties and the state.
Area schools can take part in the Congress by registering for
the town hall downlink. Teachers
can register on the World Wide Web at
The meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The coordinates are KU-band
SBS 6, transponder 15, or CU-band Galaxy C4, transponder 9,
channel 9.
To make the event a success, the Extension Service relies on
donors from around the nation.
"We want National 4-H Congress to be a week these students will
remember for a lifetime,"
Stewart said. "We are very grateful to these national partners
for helping us do that. And we
thank Vice President and Mrs. Gore for lending their support to
help make it memorable."
