BUCYRUS — Wynford 7th grader Carter Neumann recently joined a growing number of kids who are signing up for 4-H.
“I have friends in 4-H and I thought it would be a really fun thing to do,” Neumann said.
He is part of the Kilbourne Klovers 4-H Club led by Sandy Fankhauser.
“Our club had 17 members last year and grew to 30 this year,” Fankhauser said. “I am so proud of our members who ask their friends to join our club to boost our membership.”
She said that if parents only knew the benefits of 4-H, they would search for a club for their children to join.
“It is a good, positive organization that teaches kids leadership skills, public speaking, respect, and responsibility. It’s also a great way for kids to meet and make new friends while just plain having fun,” Fankhauser said.
Neumann has already signed up to do several projects for the upcoming Crawford County Fair, including cake decorating and fishing.
Fankhauser said that while many people associate 4-H with farms and livestock, members can also choose from a wide variety of categories. Some of those include veterinary science, career exploration, sewing and textile science, photography, writing, genealogy and money management.
She said some kids opt to embark on projects that focus on science and technology, such as chemistry, biology, robotics, aerospace science, small engines, woodworking and even circuitry and electricity.
“There are projects for any interest your child might have,” Fankhauser said.
She said that 4-H clubs also participate in community projects.
“The community service projects teach the members how important it is to give back to your community,” Fankhauser said. “One of my favorites that the kids love to do is plant flowers in cups to take home. They can give them to friends, family and neighbors to help someone have a good day. They report at the next meeting about the smiles they received from sharing the flowers.”
She said her group also helps to clean the fairgrounds and local parks.
“We have also given cookies to local law enforcement and firefighters, collected personal care items for Turning Point (Domestic Violence Shelter) and area nursing homes, and donated money from fundraising to local charities.”
In addition to project work, members can participate in a variety of activities throughout the year, including 4-H Camp, Leadership Camp, Sea Camp and a trip to Washington, D.C.
Fankhauser said members also participate in an array of activities at the Crawford County Fair, including contests, exhibits and even volunteering to work in the 4-H food stand.
Children who are 5 years old and in kindergarten can enroll in Cloverbuds, then start participating in competitive projects when they turn eight and enter third grade. Any child who is nine or older can enroll in 4-H, regardless of grade level.
She said members usually sign up in March before the April 1 deadline.
“While the deadline has passed to sign up for this year, anyone interested can attend meetings, they just won’t be able to participate in project judging at the fair until next year,” Fankhauser said.
Fankhauser said the memories made and lessons learned in 4-H are priceless and stay with the kids throughout their adult lives.
For more information, contact the Crawford County 4-H Office at 419-562-8731 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Staff members can assist parents in finding a local club that matches their child’s interests.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus 4-H club offers kids more than just farm projects
Reporting by Kim Gasuras, Special to Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum / Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
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