Many of Rocky View’s youth are gearing up for another year of 4-H.
Several, including Crossfield’s Reegan Vang, 9, and Ceili Konschuk, 9, are preparing to join Airdrie’s Helping Hands, a multi-club that allows members to participate in a number of skill-based projects.
“4-H is a very broad and open program and you can do anything that you have an interest in,” said Wendy Konschuk, club leader.
“We are really trying to get rid of the stigma that 4-H is just beef. You don’t have to live in the country and have a beef farm to be in 4-H.”
Helping Hands is open to youth ages nine to 21. Members complete projects on a number of topics, such as cooking, crafts, small animal care, welding, construction or small engine repair with the help of a volunteer leader.
Last year, members’ projects included photography, pottery, Lego, sewing, curling and art.
“You build life skills,” said Konschuk, now an agronomist.
Time management, organization and communication are just some of the valuable skills Konschuk, who lives west of Airdrie, learned while in 4-H.
“It taught me so very much,” she said.
“I look at what I have done and what I have accomplished and it was 4-H that motivated me to do that.”
Club requirements include attendance at a monthly club meeting at the Airdrie agricultural building, participation in a community service activity, completion of a written speech or presentation and fundraising.
All members prepare a display and have record books and projects judged before finishing the year with a banquet and awards ceremony.
Other opportunities include summer camps, scholarships and earned trips.
Vang is looking forward to the year, during which she will learn cooking skills as her chosen project. She enjoyed making a fleece blanket, wreath and pillow as part of her project last year.
“It was fun,” she said.
Her friend Ceili was enthusiastic about choosing her materials and putting her colours together for her projects.
Ceili added that speeches were scary, but she was proud to have delivered hers.
Konschuk said the program is open to both rural and urban residents.
“It is a fantastic organization and we have a great group of kids,” she said.
“I see so much potential and my mandate is to grow our club and get more of the town kids involved.”
For more information, contact Konschuk at 403-948-9941.
