(Le Mars) — 438 members across 25 clubs…that’s the current foot print of 4-H in Plymouth County, making the county 5th in the state in membership. We’ll be celebrating 4-H each day this week with stories about clubs, projects and individuals who make an impact on our community through the 4-H’s: Head, Heart, Hands and Health. Plymouth County Youth Coordinator Ann Schoenrock says that 4-H is worth recognizing because it has such a great impact on kids and their families.
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4-H in Plymouth County is free to members, which isn’t always the case. Schoenrock says in addition to get families working together, it also gives kids an opportunity to belong to something that teaches social and life skills.
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Kids grades 4-12 can participate in 4-H. There is also a new Clover Kids program for first, second and third graders. If you’d like to learn more about 4-H, feel free to contact the Plymouth County Extension Office.
SHOOTING SPORTS CLUB
(Le Mars) — I pledge my hands to larger service. Hands are one of the 4-H’s, and hands are important to Plymouth County’s Shooting Sports Club for more reasons than just service. Co-coordinator of the club Tom Nilles says that the shooting spots club uses their hands to work on the skills that bring them together.
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The club has been in existence for just over 2 years and has had as many as 40 members. One neat thing about this club is you can participate in it in addition to your other 4-H Club or just be a member of it exclusively. Nilles explains the disciplines.
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Sounds like some serious stuff, and they do take it very seriously. Safety is always first and formost when they teach, and even more important than teaching the disciplines is the focus on making sure kids are interacting and learning to be independent while at the same time depending on their instructors. That where the communications skills and life lessons come into play.
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Helping hands and hands learning safe shooting sports skills, that’s the mission of the the Plymouth County Shooting Sports 4-H Club.
JOHNSON JUNIORS
(Akron) — I pledge my heart to greater loyalty. Heart is next in our recognition of the 4H’s here on KLEM during National 4-H Week. Many club members pour the heart and souls into what they do while in 4-H, and the Johnson Juniors of Akron are no exception. Parent leader Colleen Westergard is one of many parents who step-up in this club. She says that this club makes sure they do a monthly community service project. Their February project really speaks to the heart of veterans.
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The Johnson Juniors have been active since the 1930’s and usually have around 30 members. Westergard has had 3 kids go through the club and currently has a freshman participating. She says that 4-H has been an amazing experience for her family.
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Loyal hearts…sounds like the Johnson Juniors of Akron work hard at showcasing that “H” of the 4-H’s.
Elizabeth Koele: Stanton Lucky Clovers
(Le Mars) — I pledge my head to clearer thinking. Head… it’s the one of the 4-H’s that comes into play in every situation. 4-H teaches kids about many things and to retain what they’re learning a 4Her is constantly thinking. But, have you ever stopped to think about how much brain power has to go into those projects the club members present at the fair? Senior Elizabeth Koele from Stanton Lucky Clovers tells about a project that she worked on recently.
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Elizabeth then took that information and narrowed down the key information and then placed it on a poster to display at the fair-it was a blue ribbon winner. Her project this year is another thinker, she and her brother are working on a comparison of name brand and store brand food.
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They will then compile all the research and make a poster for next years fair. Using your head for clearer thinking…it’s part of the 4-H’s.
STANTON LUCKY CLOVERS: HUGS FOR THE HURTING
(Le Mars) — I pledge my health to better living. Today our 4-H focus is on health. Of course healthy living is a topic for everyone, not just those in 4-H, but one club has taken their helping hands to support those whose health may be in jeapardy.
Debra Ahlers, leader of The Stanton Lucky Clovers tells us about their recent community project “Hugs for the Hurting.”
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They used the money to buy fleece and the 25 club members, ages 10 to 18, got together and made 122 tie blankets. The blankets were distributed not only to the ambulance services in Le Mars, but to many others as well. The Center for Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence, Floyd Valley Hospital and the ambulance services throughout Plymouth County. The recipients keep them even after they go home. Ahlers said “Hugs for the Hurting” was a project that really brought their club together because kids from 4th grade to 12th had a common cause.
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Health for better living, The Stanton Lucky Clovers really exemplify this H with their “Hugs for the Hurting Project.” The 4H’s: Head, Heart, Hands and Health…we’re happy to salute all the 4-H Clubs during National 4-H week on KLEM.
