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4-H Character Counts Program builds strong foundation in youth

Amanda Nolz
Photo by Amanda Nolz4-H kids showing their cattle projects at the 2008 SD State Fair.

Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship are the six pillars of the 4-H Character Counts Program. The Character Counts Program is taught in 4-H clubs and classrooms across the country, and it instills important life lessons in young people for the future. Educators around the state of South Dakota gathered together in Sioux Falls, SD on June 23-24, 2009 for the 4-H Character Counts Education Conference to brainstorm new ideas for incorporating these life lessons into crammed classroom curriculums.

4-H Character Counts State Coordinator Karelyn Farrand believes in the power of the program, crediting it for higher achievement scores and an improved classroom environment. With 18 breakout sessions and dynamic speakers, the education event’s theme was “Inspirational, Intentional Ideas… to Innovate and Rejuvenate,” and it was dedicated to firing up educators in their commitment to instilling strong characters in their students. Highlights of the event included great speakers such as Tom Jackson, a nationally known expert on active learning, who presented his speech, “Moving From Preaching to Teaching.” In addition, Carl “Energizer” Olson shared his presentation, “Energize Your Character Education Program.”

“The breakout sessions covered everything from bullying behavior to having good attitudes,” said Farrand. “We have to plan to teach good character as part of a quality curriculum. We have to teach kids that if a decision they are making doesn’t hold up with the six pillars of Character Counts, then maybe they should find another solution to their problems. This program builds strong kids for a better tomorrow.”



Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship are the six pillars of the 4-H Character Counts Program. The Character Counts Program is taught in 4-H clubs and classrooms across the country, and it instills important life lessons in young people for the future. Educators around the state of South Dakota gathered together in Sioux Falls, SD on June 23-24, 2009 for the 4-H Character Counts Education Conference to brainstorm new ideas for incorporating these life lessons into crammed classroom curriculums.

4-H Character Counts State Coordinator Karelyn Farrand believes in the power of the program, crediting it for higher achievement scores and an improved classroom environment. With 18 breakout sessions and dynamic speakers, the education event’s theme was “Inspirational, Intentional Ideas… to Innovate and Rejuvenate,” and it was dedicated to firing up educators in their commitment to instilling strong characters in their students. Highlights of the event included great speakers such as Tom Jackson, a nationally known expert on active learning, who presented his speech, “Moving From Preaching to Teaching.” In addition, Carl “Energizer” Olson shared his presentation, “Energize Your Character Education Program.”



“The breakout sessions covered everything from bullying behavior to having good attitudes,” said Farrand. “We have to plan to teach good character as part of a quality curriculum. We have to teach kids that if a decision they are making doesn’t hold up with the six pillars of Character Counts, then maybe they should find another solution to their problems. This program builds strong kids for a better tomorrow.”

Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship are the six pillars of the 4-H Character Counts Program. The Character Counts Program is taught in 4-H clubs and classrooms across the country, and it instills important life lessons in young people for the future. Educators around the state of South Dakota gathered together in Sioux Falls, SD on June 23-24, 2009 for the 4-H Character Counts Education Conference to brainstorm new ideas for incorporating these life lessons into crammed classroom curriculums.

4-H Character Counts State Coordinator Karelyn Farrand believes in the power of the program, crediting it for higher achievement scores and an improved classroom environment. With 18 breakout sessions and dynamic speakers, the education event’s theme was “Inspirational, Intentional Ideas… to Innovate and Rejuvenate,” and it was dedicated to firing up educators in their commitment to instilling strong characters in their students. Highlights of the event included great speakers such as Tom Jackson, a nationally known expert on active learning, who presented his speech, “Moving From Preaching to Teaching.” In addition, Carl “Energizer” Olson shared his presentation, “Energize Your Character Education Program.”

“The breakout sessions covered everything from bullying behavior to having good attitudes,” said Farrand. “We have to plan to teach good character as part of a quality curriculum. We have to teach kids that if a decision they are making doesn’t hold up with the six pillars of Character Counts, then maybe they should find another solution to their problems. This program builds strong kids for a better tomorrow.”