For an organization that has been around since 1917, 4-H has sure become a staple of the community — club members routinely host events or are featured in the paper and everything they do is for a good cause or purpose.
In my opinion, it is an invaluable organization that more people should be a part of. You benefit from it in various forms, from the skill-sets they learn which will be useful for their whole lives, to the responsibility taught to them through the rearing of a steer or lamb.
Usually these animals are sold as food afterwards, and those hardly ever turn a profit, but the point is not about money.
It shouldn’t be.
It is about the children, and developing their characters so that they will ultimately grow up to be future leaders of our community.
With a pledge that encompasses clear thinking, loyalty, service and better living and a vision for developing leadership in rural communities, 4-H is one of those organizations that sounds almost too good to be true.
A couple of months ago, I was taking pictures during the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held at Bethel Pentecostal Church and that was where I first met a member of the 4-H club — four young girls had put together a slide-show presentation about 4-H and all of the exciting things the club had planned for the coming year, but since then I’ve come across more and more youth who are members of this valuable organization.
I’ve met other people from our community who are involved with the club as well.
It is nice to see something that was begun as one thing, thrive and turn into something so much bigger.
I’m wondering, though, how hard it would be to convince other kids or some of the courthouse regulars to take a shot.
I don’t mean that the two groups are synonymous.
They aren’t, for the record.
I’m just worried some of our youth are missing out on wonderful opportunities to learn and to grow, because they might not think it is ‘cool’ to be involved.
At the end of the day, the choice is ultimately up to each individual, but I personally like the concept of 4-H and when I have children, they’re going to be part of it.
I just wish there had been something like that when I was growing up.
Great job on everything you’ve accomplished this year in 4-H, including the $1,085.96 raised for the town’s aquatic centre.
