"First, we want them doing it – what
we're trying to teach them – then have
them talking about it, explaining it to one
another and providing their own reasons.
and then have them reflect on it."
as an example, members of the team
builders club had to answer questions
about what a leader is, what a leader
does and who the leaders are in their
lives.
Whether you already have a special
interest or passion, like photography or
shooting, or whether you want to learn
new things and find out what you love,
"4-h is ideal," Valerie said.
recently, kids participated in Talks and
Demonstrations. as Valerie explained,
"The kids write a speech, write a
presentation or demonstration, present
it and get it judged. So they're building
up the courage to speak in front of a
group."
madeleine L, a 15-year-old 4-her, did a
talk on sugar as part of the h for healthy
living. "She had lots of drinks – many
we think are healthier, like Gatorade or
cranberry juice. She also had sodas, milk
and water, and others."
madeleine showed the audience the
amount of sugar in each bottle, then
stacked sugar cubes so everyone could
visualize that eye-opening amount. She
then showed the recommended daily
amount of sugar and compared it to "a
little bottle of grape juice that you give
to a kid. It's so much more than what's
recommended." She ended by talking
about the benefits of decreasing sugar
intake.
another popular, competitive
project is called the National SeaPerch
challenge. It's an acquatic engineering
program that's part of the STEm club.
The young people build submersibles
-- remotely-operated vehicles, or rOVs
– and program them to travel through
underwater obstacle courses, collect
objects and do other things. Last
year teams from Benton and Grant
counties competed nationally.
The most recent excitement
was 4-h Day at the capitol on
February 12, where hundreds
of youth made a "Sea of
Green." Thirteen 4-hers from
Washington county attended
and got to meet lawmakers
personally. Governor asa
hutchinson addressed the group, saying,
"What a great group of young leaders
… To see all of you in the capitol today
is very exciting to me and encourages
all of us about the future of this state.
Thank you for what you do to support
arkansas agriculture and leadership."
4-H is where kids can
practice their speaking skills,
gain confidence in being in
front of people speaking and
so much more. 4-h has a good
"spiel" on what this does for kids
as a whole. The 5- to 8-year-olds
are called "Clover Buds" and
when they become 9- to 13-years-
old they are "Juniors."
liliana, 7, shows us "how To Make Pom
Pom." she wanted to learn how to make
a Pom Pom so she could put them on
top of a hat. liliana is a member of the
4h Junior Masters gardener Club. she is
in the 4h union Master gardeners Club.
Off icialKidsMag.com • march 2019 • 37
