On December 23, youth from Teton County shared in the gift we call 4-H at a project day event. Older 4-H members had been invited through the county 4-H newsletter to teach classes for the project day planned for the afternoon of Wednesday, December 23, a time when all schools in the county were closed for holiday break. 4-H members who provided leadership included Daniel Asselstine, Delaynie Beadle, Michaela Gunderson, Ben Roeder, Watson Snyder and Annie Townsend. Each of the older 4-H members either planned and taught or assisted an extension agent teaching a class. The learning was also supported by 4-H alum, Katie Townsend, and MSU Extension Teton County Administrative assistants, Jamie Smith and Rhea Brutosky.
After 20 youth had sewn tote bags, sewn owl-shaped rice bags, baked and decorated cupcakes, learned about synthetic vs. natural fibers, made felted wool canning jar cozies, sheared sheep, learned jitterbug and two-step moves, made survival bands, painted chalkboard coasters and decorated gift bags, the group of 4-H members talked about the way people give their gifts to others. One of the 4-H members learned her cake decorating skills from a volunteer 4-H leader and brought the gift forward to share with others. Another 4-H member learned her sewing skills from her mother and with the help of evaluators/judges at sewing contests and was sharing that skill not only at 4-H project day, but also by helping younger 4-H members individually and through her club. Another 4-H member gained dance skills from his parents and neighbors and then continued self-study using internet resources. We talked about how important it is when someone shares the gift of their time and talent with you to wrap up that gift and present it to others. 4-H is one way to keep gifts giving well into the future.
To complete the project day, Extension Agents Brent Roeder and Jane Wolery discussed with youth that the 4-H members already contained the necessary gifts to excel on a local, state and national level. However, 4-H members need to know what is available and how to unwrap a larger goal into smaller pieces. Several 4-H members had personal experiences they shared related to opportunities, such as Rec Lab, interstate and international exchanges and National 4-H Congress. The group discussed about 30 different 4-H opportunities and events just waiting be unwrapped by Teton County 4-H members.
We invite you to think about the gifts you can give to others in 2016.
Here is a small sampling of opportunities available through 4-H (listed in no particular order). To learn more, contact your local MSU Extension agent in your county.
- Ambassador program
- State officer
- Interstate Exchange
- State 4-H Congress
- Camp Counselor
- Rec Lab
- Winter Teen Camp
- State Leadership Forum
- State Award
- National 4-H Congress
- National 4-H Conference
- Citizenship Washington Focus CWF
- Leadership Washington Focus LWF
- Make It with Wool MIWW
- IFYE Program
- Japanese Exchange
- Natural Resources Camp
- Nile Merit Heifer
- Ag Youth Loan programs
- Livestock judging and evaluation
- Fall Ambassador training
- Communications Contest
- Alberta Leaders Forum
- Citizenship Seminar
- Horse and Livestock Leaders Forum
- State Horse Show
- Western Heritage Shoot
- County Textile Show
- Range Camp
- Western National Round Up
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