Strike It Rich with 4-H!

Three Teton County 4-H youth were among the 185 people who recently attended the Montana 4-H Rec Lab in Livingston, Montana, March 27-29.         

Delaynie Beadle, Michaela Gunderson and Brigid Miller attended the training accompanied by Extension Agent, Jane Wolery.  The 4-H members learned a variety of recreational games and mixers that can be used when they lead group events.  The first night they were welcomed by Todd Kesner, Interim Director of the Montana 4-H Center, who spoke on opportunities available in 4-H where members can find their bonanza.  Bonanza, the event theme, is a situation which creates sudden increase in wealth, good fortune or profits – like 4-H! 

 

4-H members work to build and program a robot cowboy.

4-H members were able to take a variety of classes and the Teton County delegation participated in Cashing in on Your Personality Style, Laser Maze Bonanza, Making Food Fun, Tall Tales Are Pure Gold, Learn to Zentangle, Fill Your Loop Making Rope Baskets, Quick Draw Cooking, Robot Cowboy, Crochet Headband and more. 

Cowboy robot maze.  Did they build and program correctly?

In addition to games, dances and classes, two excellent keynote speakers shared their messages.  Deidre Combs, from MSU, spoke on positive thinking, dreaming, planning and living well.  She shared many lessons from her own life and research as well as some great opportunities for youth.  James Brown, Montana 4-H Alumnus and current Cargill US Dairy Product Line Manager, spoke about how to strike it rich in your life through persistence, networking and goal-setting.    

Building rope baskets.

Gunderson said that one of the key components she took away from the conference was to be more aware of and open to opportunities.  Beadle relayed that she enjoyed the personality workshop and the benefit of recognizing a variety of strengths among people and using those strengths on team projects.  Miller really enjoyed meeting new people from across the state and was excited to learn how to make rope baskets.  Wolery remarked that statewide 4-H events, such as Rec Lab, offer 4-H members a chance to learn a wide variety of skills, practice their leadership and build their confidence.  

Filling Your Loop!