"I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health for better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
"To make the best better" ....
As I went to judge with my mom at the 4-H fair yesterday memories flooded my mind as I thought back to all the years I was involved in 4-H and all the people that I met along the way. As I walked the buildings at the fairgrounds, I realized that 4-H isn't important to most people anymore. Club numbers seem to have dwindled, projects lay spread out with space in between the tables, and few kids enter the judging hall. This breaks my heart as I see such an important program, no longer a part of kids lives. My experience in 4-H impacted me in so many ways, as I gained confidence, leadership skills, pride, etc. This year, 4-H is celebrating 100 Years, and I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my experiences as a 4-Her. I won't be able to list them all, but just would like to share a few.
1. Showing cattle at the fair and sleeping in the barns. I still remember pranks being done to each other and bats flying over our heads at night. (4-H by the way isn't just for "farming" kids!) We would work so hard going out to the farm to feed the heifers, work with them to tame them down, and then halter them to show. Some of the best times I had were on the farm with my siblings and cousins working with our cattle. Giving the cows a bath was priceless :)
2. Modeling my clothing project that I bought each year. No I didn't decide to be a model for a career, but I did gain confidence in myself. I learned what it is to be a good shopper and look for quality in items that I purchase. Through 4-H I learned what colors look good on me, and what colors I should avoid. We were also a part of the "Fashion Board" and would work hard at designing the stage the the modeling show - Peggy Bolin, Pat Rod, and my mom were such great leaders to help us with this!
3. Giving "talks and demonstrations" at our club meetings. We had to give a little speech about a topic and demonstrate how to do something in front of the club once a year. This is how I learned public speaking skills and how to feel comfortable standing up in front of a group of people. I learned how to run a meeting and was several different officers for the club throughout the years.
4. Doing all different kinds of projects gave me the chance to learn new things and find out what I was good at and maybe not so good at - microwave muffins...not so much! lol But I completed a wide variety of projects from citizenship, flowers, visual arts, cooking, passport to the world, photography, sewing for fun, etc. I remember being so anxious to share my project with the judge, and then getting the positive feedback on my accomplishments. If the project was "held-back" there was a possibility it might get more than a blue ribbon - even the chance to go to the state fair.
5. I think I attended the state fair with a project every year I was able to in 4-H. You got the chance to see the quality of projects from around the state and get to show your project to a judge once again. Receiving a superior at state was such an awesome feeling!
6. Most of all though I remember the relationships I built through being a part of 4-H. People I would never have met if I hadn't been a part of the program. You know who you are and I think of you all often! It is always great to run into you.
7. Now, I love to give back to the program that gave so much to me!
I could keep going on and on about all my experiences...
Most of all I have to thank my mom for being such an encourager of the 4-H program. She started the club in our community and I still remember the day we got to decide on a club name. What a big deal! The club is still going....Western Winning Wonders even though I think they now meet in Wyanet. She was a 4-Her herself growing up and she wanted us to experience the joy and fun that she had. We certainly did as kids. I hope that you check out the program for your own kids and see if you have a club in your community. I promise you it won't be something you will regret.
I just hope that my children will get the chance to experience it as well.
(Please share your favorite memories) Here is a link to the history. They started to be called 4-H clubs in 1912. http://www.4-h.org/about/4-h-history/
