MSU Extension Benzie County

Exploration Days

Each year Benzie 4-H offers a chance for participants ages 12 to 19 to enroll in Exploration Days. Exploration Days is a program where students can experience campus life on the beautiful MSU campus in East Lansing. Registration information is usually distributed in late February. And the registration process begins on a specific date in mid-March each year and runs through mid-April. Many programs fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Classes run for 3 consecutive days in June. 

Registering for Exploration Days:

This is an annual event which allows students to visit and experience campus life on the beautiful MSU campus. Look for more information on the 4-H website. Please be sure to check the dates of postings since the site is updated each spring with new dates and classes.

Benzie Scholarships for 4-H Youth

Gleaner's Crystal and Advisory Council Scholarship

Benzie County High School Seniors and 4-H Members are eligible to apply for the Gleaner's Crystal Lake Arbor Scholarship! This Scholarship, in the amount of $1000, is made possible by matching contributions from Gleaner's Crystal Lake Arbor Chapter #138 and the Benzie County 4-H Advisory Council.

If you wish to be considered for this scholarship, which may be used toward college, business
school, or similar accredited training programs, please read the enclosed material and return
your completed application to this office by 5:00PM, on the last business day of April.

We kindly ask that you please refrain from contacting the Extension office to "recreate"
history for your 4-H portfolio. Due to space limitations for our records storage, we may not
have some of the information you are seeking. This is actually the purpose of keeping a
complete and accurate 4-H Record Book- so that you always have your own personal 4-H
history close at hand. Please be advised that your application must also be accompanied by
all four of the required components listed at the bottom of the application form. Incomplete
applications will automatically be disqualified. Please also complete and submit the
document called "Scheduling Survey" so that we know which dates in May have a
schedule conflict for you.

In May, applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and you will be asked to
participate in a brief interview with them. The Advisory Council stresses that these
scholarships are to be considered rewards for active and dedicated membership in Benzie
County 4-H, so please make every effort to portray the full extent of your 4-H activities, both
in your application and in your interview.

If you have any questions, please contact the Benzie office at 231- 882-0025, or Allison
Olson at <olsonal8@msu.edu>.

The Application for this Scholarship is now in a Fillable PDF with savable text. Please click on the scholarship heading to open and fill out the Scholarship PDF. Save the document and submit the completed and additional required forms via email.

Paul T & Frances B Johnson Foundation Scholarship

Established in 1997 by the late Paul T & Frances B Johnson of Empire, MI and is recognized as a private charitable foundation. This Scholarship is available to persons with a GED, persons graduating from or HAVE graduated from a secondary educational institution and going to attend a post-secondary educational institution to be considered for aid through this scholarship. While being a member of 4-H is not required, there are funds specifically designated for Senior 4-H participants. To qualify for these 4-H specific funds the Applicant must have been an active 4-H Club member in their Senior year and for at least two of the preceding five years. However, the Foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in financial aid to students with little or no 4-H experience. ALL Applicants must have been a resident of Benzie, Grand Traverse, or Leelanau county for at least three out of four of their high school years (Grades 9-12).

To Apply for this Scholarship:

Applicants can apply for this Scholarship by clicking on the scholarship heading to access information regarding the Scholarship and Application Form. Applications and required supporting documents are due to the Foundation Committee, postmarked on or before May 15. Mail applications to:

787 Michigan Ave

PO Box 203

Benzonia, MI 49616-0203

Tel. 231.882.4681

Fax. 231.882.9235