Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in the four guiding concepts of mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity.  4-H Visual Arts programs foster mastery by teaching youth the basic principles of art, belonging by giving them the opportunity to work with others, independence by allowing them to use their skills to create their own works of art, and generosity by identifying ways they can use their art to make a difference. Membership retention is crucial to a vital 4-H county program.  Youth who have been involved for several years enjoy new opportunities to be involved.  The Magoffin County 4-H Agent worked with 4-H Volunteers to host a Holiday Craft Day in December. Activities encouraged 4-H members to use the elements and principles of design through paper crafting, up-cycling, printmaking, and more. Follow up activities were sent to participants to encourage them to continue developing their art skills after the holiday camp and State Fair categories will be provided as a follow up.    

Twelve 4-H members participated in the holiday craft day, including 4-H Teen Council members who taught the crafts at several stations.  Several more craft days are being planned and will be held throughout the year.  New and different projects will be available during each meeting and will correspond with the time of year in which they are offered.