by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Twenty-seven young people had opportunity to try their hand at curling on Sunday courtesy of 4-H. They have also tried sledge hockey and bowling. On Friday, they’ll be trying the game of darts at the Cobden Legion.
They are members of the 4-H Gaming Club.
Each year, Renfrew County 4-H hosts between 25 to 30 clubs, said 4-H leader Agatha Crogie.
4-H is a program for youth nine years to 21 years, she said. There are a variety of clubs young people can participate in, she said. Everything from cooking, baking sewing, livestock, field and crop, woodworking, geocaching, and so many more.
Each club is 12 hours long, split into six two-hour meetings, she said. Each club has two volunteer leaders, who have been screened and trained according to 4-H guidlines, she said.
There are also the Cloverbuds, which is for children 6 to 8 years.
“Cloverbuds gives the kids a taste of what 4-H is,” Ms. Crogie said. “It’s usually run by leaders who have kids in that age group. They meet about one time a month. It’s a chance to get used to a group setting.”
Ms. Crogie noted 4-H has expanded from the farm family and now includes anyone to participate in 4-H.
For participants who want to participate in farm clubs, although they may not live on a farm, Ms. Agatha said there are farm families, even those not in 4-H, who will lend out farm animals.
Clubs start up throughout the year, she said. Since there are 200-plus members in Renfrew County 4-H, Ms. Agatha said when a club is going to start, a mass e-mail is sent out, as well as information on the club’s facebook page and the provincial web site.
Ontario 4-H has more than 60 clubs leaders can draw from, she said. It is up to the leaders to decide what clubs are being offered.
“It has to be fun for us too,” she said. “We learn about it and then we teach the kids.”
While most clubs are open to all participants, Ms. Crogie said there might be some with age restrictions. There must be a minimum of six participants in a club and the maximum is decided by the leaders, she added. While parents cannot volunteer at the clubs, Ms. Crogie said they are welcome to stay while the meeting is going on.
To participate in 4-H, there is a one-time yearly fee of $75, she said. Once paid, the participants can participate in as many clubs as they want, she said. However, to get the Certificate of Achievement, they must attend at least two-thirds of the meetings.
To help with some of the clubs, sponsors provide funds, which the leaders must apply for, she said. As an example, Sears sponsored the Gaming Club, she said. However, it also sponsors other clubs. The Farm Credit Corporation also provides grants, but leaders must also apply for them. She said many grants are handed out during the annual banquet held in November. 4-H has some funding for clubs, but some clubs do fundraising, with parents assistance, she added.
Cailen Bromley, who has been a 4-H member for eight years, was chosen to be a 4-H Ambassador this year for the province. She will promote the organization at various events as well as help out at various events and clubs when asked.
Cam Crogie of Douglas is a 4-H Ontario rep, Ms. Crogie said. He looks ater Region 2, which is a large part of Eastern Ontario He keeps up-to-date with what is happenning with the provincial organization.
To find out more about 4-H, call Ms. Crogie, 613-649-2734, check out the facebook page or the provincial website.
