Nevada 4-H Seeks Volunteers to Help 41,000 Kids Grow

When Lindsay Chichester talks about 4-H volunteers, she's clear about what matters most: not expertise, but a willingness to help kids learn and grow.

That simple ask has attracted nearly 1,400 volunteers across Nevada who are changing lives through programs ranging from rocketry clubs to robotics workshops. Last year alone, these dedicated adults and teens contributed nearly 40,000 hours of their time, valued at more than $1.3 million, helping over 41,000 young people participate in hands-on learning experiences statewide.

The University of Nevada, Reno Extension's 4-H Youth Development Program is celebrating National Volunteer Month by inviting more Nevadans to join their mission. Volunteers support specialized clubs, after-school programs, and summer camps, creating spaces where kids can explore their interests and build confidence.

Chichester, who directs Nevada's 4-H program, emphasizes that prior experience isn't required. Whether someone wants to help with cooking classes, work with wild horses, or guide young minds through science experiments, there's a place for them.

Why This Inspires

Research shows the impact goes both ways. Youth involved in 4-H are more likely to make healthy choices, engage in science activities outside school, and give back to their communities. These aren't just fun activities; they're building blocks for stronger, more connected young people.

The volunteers benefit too, finding purpose and community while watching kids discover what they're capable of. It's the kind of mentorship that creates ripples, with today's 4-H participants often becoming tomorrow's volunteers and community leaders.

The program especially needs help for upcoming overnight summer camps at Lake Tahoe and Camp Alamo in southern Nevada. Kenny Haack-Damon, the 4-H Camp educational program coordinator, encourages interested volunteers to apply soon since background checks are required before camp season begins.

Getting started is straightforward. Those interested in camp volunteering can contact Haack-Damon at damonk@unr.edu or 775-682-9865. For other 4-H programs, volunteers can register online at the Nevada Extension website.

In a world that often focuses on what's broken, these volunteers are quietly building something beautiful: a generation of young people who know they matter, who've discovered their passions, and who've learned that trying new things is how we grow.