Parallel Visions

Auris M. Vanderbilt

Can you name America’s largest youth development organization – empowering nearly six million young people ages 5 – 18?  Here are some clues:   a) a belief in the power of young people, b) “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential”, and c) the four leaf clover emblem.  If you guessed the 4-H Club, you are correct!

This past week The Westmont Montessori School was proud to participate and sponsor the Morris County 4-H Fair – an annual tradition during the 3^rd week in July at Chubb Park, Chester, NJ.  What struck me once more this year, as I engaged with the volunteer staff, the visitors, and the other non-profit organizations present at the event, was the similarities between Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision and 4-H’s vision.  Both founded over 100 years ago, both equally committed to supporting children learn real-life skills that prepare them for the next stage of their life, both believing in the individual’s potential, and both supporting innovative thinking as a means to shape the young and how they will improve the world in the future.  With this parallel vision, to encourage children to think for themselves, to discover, to question, to create, to lead and to collaborate, the world is in good hands.   

To find out more about 4-H please visit www.4-H.org .