West Virginia University Mountaineer football isnt the only program opening something new and exciting Saturday, Sept. 10. In the afternoon, 4-Hers from throughout West Virginia will come to Morgantown to open new doors to view the world of opportunity available through higher education.
West Virginia 4-H Football Day kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Mountainlair for more than 400 youths from 28 counties. Each year, WVU declares either a football game day or a basketball game day to be 4-H Day. The tradition not only attracts 4-Hers to attend a WVU sporting event but also to learn about WVU and the opportunities provided by a college education.
In years past, 4-Hers have participated in the days events as one whole group. But this year, the tradition opens with a new game plan. 4-Hers will be separated into three school-related groups so they can attend programs relevant to their interests.
High school students will have the opportunity to visit with representatives from three WVU colleges. They will discuss their interest in higher education and how to prepare for their future. The three colleges participating in the event are Human Resources and Education, Physical Education and Business and Economics.
WVU Collegiate 4-H Club members will be in the Gluck Theater to talk with middle school students. Collegiate 4-Hers will share their experiences, discuss their majors and answer questions about college life.
Elementary school-age youths will enjoy bowling in the Mountainlair, an activity that provides a memorable experience for young 4-Hers.
Downtown Campus activities will end around 4 p.m., when 4-Hers will pick up a boxed dinner provided by the Mountainlair. Their next stop will be Puskar Stadium at Mountaineer Field, located on the Evansdale Campus, where they will watch the WVU Mountaineers battle Wofford at 6 p.m..
During the game, the WVU Collegiate 4-H Club will collect monetary donations for the campuswideDollars for Disaster: Hurricane Katrina Relieffundraiser. The effort is coordinated by the WVU Student Health and Advisory Board, the American Red Cross and various WVU student organizations. The fundraiser was created to encourage WVU students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to donate at least $1 to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The 4-H Youth Development program is organized and coordinated by West Virginia University Extension Service. With more than 56,000 young people participating, 4-H offers a variety of educational opportunities through its clubs, after-school programs, individual projects, camps and special-interest groups.
4-H is active in each of West Virginias 55 counties.
For more information about 4-H and other WVU Extension programs, visit the WVU Extension Service Web site (http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/) or call a WVU Extension Service county office.