2025 -2026 Program Calendar
***This calendar reflects 2025-2026. It will change to the 2026-2027 once prior to interviews. Students who are offered interviews will receive the calendar in their interview invitation emails.***
May 29: Parent-Student Orientation @ 6:30 pm
Francis Marion University’s Lee Nursing Building
Session Focus: This will be an opportunity to cover the program’s expectations, helpful tips for completing paperwork, and we will have time to answer any questions.
July 25- 26: Mandatory Opening Retreat*
Session Focus: Students will travel to SC FFA Camp in Cherry Grove.
Teambuilding, Personality Assessment, Leadership Development
*Bus Transportation Provided from Florence
Monthly sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
August 26: Leadership Exploration Day
Participants will have a hands-on experience designed to inspire youth to discover their leadership potential. Participants engage in team-building challenges, interactive workshops, and meet with local leaders who share insights on community impact, decision-making, and personal growth. This day encourages confidence, communication, and critical thinking while helping students recognize the many ways they can lead—in their schools, communities, and beyond.
September 17: Education Day
Session Focus: Students will learn the importance of FMU and Florence-Darlington Tech to our county and they will also have an opportunity to see how degrees from these institutions are making positive impacts. Students will have the opportunity to interact with FMU Student Leaders.
October 16: Agribusiness Day
Session Focus: Students will tour local farms and agribusinesses where they will learn more about agriculture and agribusiness’s economic impact. Students will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn more about the many career opportunities available.
November 20: County Government Day
Session Focus: Students will have the opportunity to meet county leaders and develop an understanding of all the different agencies and divisions that make up Florence County Government.
December 4: Social Issues and Community Service Day
Session Focus: Overview of social issues affecting Florence County citizens. Students will hear from community service organizations that work to address these concerns. Participants will assist with hands-on community service projects and will gather information on how they can make Florence County a better place.
January 21: Health Care & Healthy Living Day
Session Focus: Exposing students to the large health care industry in our county, the impact of the industry on our county and career opportunities in addition to being reminded of the importance of healthy living.
February 12: Business and Industry Day
Session Focus: Students will visit top Florence County industries and receive an overview of the economic profile and business climate for Florence County along with careers needed. A special visit to downtown Florence will be incorporated so that they students understand what revitalization means.
March 10: State Government Day*
Session Focus: Students will travel to Columbia for State 4-H Legislative Day where they will have an opportunity to meet and network with state leaders and the importance of being an engaged, educated voter. They will also have a chance to meet other 4-Hers from across the state.
*Since we will be traveling to Columbia, this session will run longer than normal.
April 28: History & Art Day
Session Focus: Students will be given a glimpse of our past by traveling to Lake City and touring Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, Lynches Lake Historical Society, Ron McNair Living History Center, Bean Market, ArtFields and more while also learning how Florence County arts serve as a catalyst for community cohesiveness, educational advancement and economic growth.
May 5: Graduation
Graduation is tentatively scheduled for 6:00 pm at Francis Marion University’s Lee Nursing Building with a reception to follow. The families of our graduates along with our sponsors and advisory board are all invited.
May 29: Parent-Student Orientation @ 6:30 pm
Francis Marion University’s Lee Nursing Building
Session Focus: This will be an opportunity to cover the program’s expectations, helpful tips for completing paperwork, and we will have time to answer any questions.
July 25- 26: Mandatory Opening Retreat*
Session Focus: Students will travel to SC FFA Camp in Cherry Grove.
Teambuilding, Personality Assessment, Leadership Development
*Bus Transportation Provided from Florence
Monthly sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
August 26: Leadership Exploration Day
Participants will have a hands-on experience designed to inspire youth to discover their leadership potential. Participants engage in team-building challenges, interactive workshops, and meet with local leaders who share insights on community impact, decision-making, and personal growth. This day encourages confidence, communication, and critical thinking while helping students recognize the many ways they can lead—in their schools, communities, and beyond.
September 17: Education Day
Session Focus: Students will learn the importance of FMU and Florence-Darlington Tech to our county and they will also have an opportunity to see how degrees from these institutions are making positive impacts. Students will have the opportunity to interact with FMU Student Leaders.
October 16: Agribusiness Day
Session Focus: Students will tour local farms and agribusinesses where they will learn more about agriculture and agribusiness’s economic impact. Students will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn more about the many career opportunities available.
November 20: County Government Day
Session Focus: Students will have the opportunity to meet county leaders and develop an understanding of all the different agencies and divisions that make up Florence County Government.
December 4: Social Issues and Community Service Day
Session Focus: Overview of social issues affecting Florence County citizens. Students will hear from community service organizations that work to address these concerns. Participants will assist with hands-on community service projects and will gather information on how they can make Florence County a better place.
January 21: Health Care & Healthy Living Day
Session Focus: Exposing students to the large health care industry in our county, the impact of the industry on our county and career opportunities in addition to being reminded of the importance of healthy living.
February 12: Business and Industry Day
Session Focus: Students will visit top Florence County industries and receive an overview of the economic profile and business climate for Florence County along with careers needed. A special visit to downtown Florence will be incorporated so that they students understand what revitalization means.
March 10: State Government Day*
Session Focus: Students will travel to Columbia for State 4-H Legislative Day where they will have an opportunity to meet and network with state leaders and the importance of being an engaged, educated voter. They will also have a chance to meet other 4-Hers from across the state.
*Since we will be traveling to Columbia, this session will run longer than normal.
April 28: History & Art Day
Session Focus: Students will be given a glimpse of our past by traveling to Lake City and touring Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, Lynches Lake Historical Society, Ron McNair Living History Center, Bean Market, ArtFields and more while also learning how Florence County arts serve as a catalyst for community cohesiveness, educational advancement and economic growth.
May 5: Graduation
Graduation is tentatively scheduled for 6:00 pm at Francis Marion University’s Lee Nursing Building with a reception to follow. The families of our graduates along with our sponsors and advisory board are all invited.