4H clubs?
 

The Home Ec thread prompted me to ask about 4H. I never joined as a kid and don't know much about it. Do any of you have your children enrolled in 4H? My daughter Olivia is 10, we're just learning to sew together ( I think she's doing great) and Olivia's teacher recommended enrolling her in 4H. I'm just looking for any information and opinions you have.
Thanks,
Rodney

4-H was a big part of my and my childrens' lives. The number of clubs that can be available is wonderful (agricultural and lifeskills) As with any organization and/or class the leadership is an important part of how much is learned or taken away. The 4-H program starts with a national and then a provincial/state and then a county or region committee. Check the internet to determine what clubs are available in your local area. If you feel comfortable teaching your daughter to sew then perhaps you too would enjoy being a future club leader.

4H can be a good opportunity for kids. I would recommend 4H to anyone.

Some groups are better than others, depending on the number of kids are in the group and the leaders.

My oldest really had a good experience. He learned to try to do something new. Then he had to "show" his project. Which to me was the best. Because the judges asked him questions and he had to explain ... that helped to pull him out of his shell and gain confidence. He was always shy and this really helped him. Especially when he won he Showmanship Award.... because he really knew his stuff and how to explain it.

I was in 4H when I was young. Sewing was in the winter and my instructor was a high school girl that was very good. She did it one on one and it was a wonderful introduction to sewing. One of my friends is a teacher for several things for 4H.

My daughter was in 4-H & had very positive experiences. At one point we could not find an Art 4-G Group, so we formed
our own with me as her leader & since we could find no others interested, it was just her in my "Group".
My granddaughter was in 4-H fourth through 12th grades in cooking, art, photography, canning, rabbits & other
miscellaneous entries. Excellent leadership, many awards, all great experiences.

Hi! I see on your profile that you are in Centralia Washington. I checked and see that is in Lewis County. Then I searched Washington Extension Service on Google. Then I clicked on locations and found the website for your county's Extension Office. There I found the name of the Extension agent in charge of Lewis County's 4-H program as well as contact information. Internet is great!

I heartily recommend 4-H as a learning and knowledge building organization for youth it teaches life skills as well as project knowledge. I work in my local Extension office and have thoroughly enjoyed working with "my" kids for 30 years now. I will send you the contact info I found by PM.

Go 4-H! I was a 4-H'er growing up and a leader for over 20 years. Great organization, prompts, learning, respect for self and others, and community service, Check with your local county extension office. They can point you in the right direction to find a club you may want to join. If you can not find one with your interest you can start your own. 4-H has all the educational resources you as a leader, or member need.

I was in 4-H growing up and had the best time! I learned independence, public speaking, and my love for sewing, which here I still am doing 45 yrs later.

I will agree, it's totally about the leader and I was beyond lucky to have a great set of leaders.

I was in Brownies one year and then 4-H. Loved 4-h so much better!

I learned how to sew in 4-H and learned so much there. It was a good foundation for learning, leadership, friendship. I definitely recommend it.

Looks like it's a good thing, not a single negative experience. I'll try calling my extension agent tomorrow and see what she has to say. I'm hoping there is an active sewing group. So far our learning has been thru here, youtube videos and books. The learning curve can be steep when your "instructor" has to learn a technique too. Live instruction from someone experienced would be good.
Thanks,
Rodney

I was in 4H and took cooking. My Mom and Dad worked outside the home and it was good to have this life skill. I still enjoy cooking. Thanks to those who donated their time as leaders.

I also was in 4H as a kid. Thinking back I learned many life skills that I still use today like sewing, cooking, canning and other home food preserving, and gardening. Lots of great people teaching real values and skills that seem to be "lost arts" today, especially in more urban areas.

I learned to sew in 4-H when I was 8 - spent years as a 4-H member, my 3 children grew up in 4-H, my granddaughter's are active members of 4-H. if you have a local 4-H chapter- contact them, visit, ask your questions- get involved. :)

The 4H stands for Head, Hands, Heart and........... Home. Had to think a while. I was a member and a leader. Even taught cooking in a Summer program to 13-16 year olds. Boys also.

I know a couple of ladies who have been involved with 4H as leaders...for DECADES! ( they probably were involved as children) Wonderful ladies sharing their sewing skills with eager students. While I have never been involved with 4H
( i grew up in a suburb) , my impression is that 4H is a good, clean organization with VALUES. The leaders I know exemplify this. Enroll her quickly!

sandy

My kids are involved in 4-H right now. 4-H is great!!! I just want to point out that 4-H is also family oriented. Attending County and State Fairs are great and they learn a lot. My DD loves the competition, my DS not so much- but he makes the items and answers the judges questions. He never really cared if he was the champion or not.

Another one here with green blood!
Member ... later Leader ... now alumnus and supporter in anyway that I can.
So many good memories, friendships and lessons thanks to my forever 4-H involvement! :)


OmaCookie ... The 4th H stands for Health .... unless by chance your USA version is different? Though I believe it is the same as here in Canada.

I was able to reach our county extension agent Pam. She was very helpful and gave me 3 contacts for sewing programs in Lewis county. One lady got back to me earlier today. She has a high school aged group right now and is working on starting one for kids that are in Olivia's age group. If she can make it happen it should be a good fit. New enrollment for 4-H ends April 1 so if she can't do it I'll have to try again when enrollment starts up again in October.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Rodney
Rodney

Rodney,

I hope you find a group for your daughter. In addition to the skills learned, there are positive advantages to being part of a "like-minded" group. The organization has group learning and activities, but it also promotes individual learning and doesn't set limits on achievements. When 4-H leadership is supplemented with parental project leadership, it is a formula for success.

Dayle

we lived in a very suburban area, no livestock in sight, but my mom had a 4-H sewing group which included my older sister. I was too young.

A quick update, one of the ladies in my area is starting another sewing group with kids roughly my daughter's age. We meet for the first time tomorrow for enrollment. :)
Thanks for your help everyone.
Rodney