4H projects are a highlight of the county fair
One of the brightest spots of the summer has arrived and that is the county fair.
You may have read about the history of the county fair in the paper and you may have thought about getting over there. But what I also hope you do if you go is to visit the Creative Arts building that shows off many of the projects done by the various 4H groups in our area.
When I was growing up, 4H was for the country kids. Many of the projects focused on what people considered the skills needed for a farm – canning, sewing, and livestock. But there are other projects that you may not think about as being farm related. Woodworking, photography and leadership kills are just a few of the projects.
Let me give full disclosure. I had a cousin in 4H and I am the mom of two 4H members. My kids have done photography, drawings, rocketry, woodworking, forestry, guinea pigs (in the small pet category), rabbits and dog training for projects.
Other kids I know have done veterinarian projects, horticulture, basket weaving, public speaking, electricity, aerospace and quilting. There are myriad other topics that including clothing construction and nutrition. When our son took in his baking project, my husband watched another 4H member bring in a steak they had cooked. You heard me right, a steak.
What I like most about 4H is that it gives kids the opportunity to try a number of different projects. Maybe it fails one year and the next they get it right. Sometimes it can work the other way around; the first year is a great success and the next doesn’t go so good. Or they can find a different project better suited for their skills. The point is kids get to try out different things to see what they like and don’t like.
Plus some of the projects offer scholarships if you plan on sticking with it for several years. That is something a lot of parents look for. Another plus? For each ribbon, kids can get a premium check, the amount varying with the color. It may not be a lot cash-wise but what a boost it can be to the self-esteem.
Enjoy the fair while it is here, take the time to admire the hard work of these kids in the creative arts building and in the livestock barns. But also remember to stop at the 4H foodstand by the Grandstand to help fund this worthy organization that helps our kids learn to be better.
Karyn Bowman is also known as Mom Goes to the Movies and wrote for the Daily Journal as their movie reviewer for over seven years. She lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children.
