Listen in MP3 format

When a new club meets tonight in Springfield, it will be the first of its kind in at least two decades in the city. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more…

Tonight (2/1) is the first meeting of the Springfield Aggies—a new 4-H Club in the city. Velynda Cameron, 4-H youth specialist with University Extension, says it’s been 20 to 30 years since there was a 4-H Club in Springfield…

"At the very beginning, 4-H was focused more on agriculture, and so it was somewhat labeled as an agricultural activity for youth, and so that label has stuck with it over the years."

In reality, 4-H is a youth development organization that works to teach and instill things like positive social skills, self-confidence, self-esteem, how to live a healthy lifestyle and respect for community…

"Just to be a productive, positive citizen of their community, and it goes even further to promote them giving back to their community."

Project opportunities include computers, robotics, foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and more.
So far, 24 kids are signed up for the new 4-H club for kids 8 to 18. Six kids have joined 4-H Clover Kids, for 5 to 7-year-olds. Openings are still available, and Cameron says the club can grow bigger as long as there are enough adults willing to help out.
She says the new club can have long-term benefits for kids who decide to join...

"We know that kids that participate in 4-H for two or three years are 70% more likely to go to college, which we know then increases lots of things across the board for those kids as well as for the community itself."

Cameron hopes the new 4-H Club will be just the beginning of 4-H in Springfield and that other people will decide to step up and lead other clubs in the city.
The Springfield Aggies and Clover Kids meet tonight (2/1) at 6:30 at the Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. For more information, 862-9284.
 

Related Items: