Youth Development (Quay County)

Seven Novice 4-Hers and 1 dad participated in a baking workshop where they made 5 items from the Baking I and II projects. These 4-Hers learned basic baking techniques as well as dish washing skills. They developed great teamwork skills as they worked in pairs and switched jobs throughout the morning.

A Home Ec Fun Day was held with the help of 4 Senior 4-H members and a leader. Eleven Novice members participated in the daylong event where 4-Hers learned about various projects and contests. The 4-Hers recycled trash into a useful item for their room. The 4-Hers learned about food safety and food preparation as they prepared a meal for themselves. They learned manners while setting the table, serving, and eating the meal. Most learned that they did not like counted cross stitch. They gained leadership skills as they played games to build teamwork and communication skills. The purpose of the event was to keep the newly recruited members interest in 4-H and build a sense of belonging for these youth. Most made it to the end of the year and will rejoin. Two moved before the end of the year.

With the assistance of 4-H leaders, coordinated 4-H Round Up to recruit new members as our numbers had dropped. Clubs provided 4-Hers to provide demonstration tables about various projects and the leaders were available to visit with potential members. Projects provided by the 4-Hers were baking assisted by our program educator, archery, scrapbooking, photography, cross stitch, sewing, braiding, leathercraft, and rabbit. The National winning FCS Bowl team demonstrated their contest and each participant made a dirt baby and leather key chain. About 30 people attended, 9 youth were recruited into various clubs. The biggest thrill was seeing a very shy 4-Her blossom as she passionately shared about her photography project.

Eleven Novice sewers participated in seven sewing workshops. These 4-Hers learned basic sewing techniques, the parts of a machine, how to prepare fabric and how to press their garments. Nine made scrunchies, pin cushions and totebags, eight finished skirts or swimsuit cover ups, two made pillows, 1 made an apron, and 1 made capris and a shirt. Eight participated in county contest and three in district contest. One placed 1st with her tote bag and another placed 4th with her apron.

Nine Novice and Junior Home Economics Bowl Practices, seven Novice and Junior Home Ec Skill-a-thon Practices, two Novice and Junior Consumer practices, and three Novice and Junior Horticulture practices were held to help 4-Hers prepare for county and district contests. Six Novice and Junior youth competed in county home ec bowl contest, 7 in consumer, at least 11 in skill-a-thon, and at least 12 in horticulture. Fifteen youth participated in these contests at District making up the 1st and 3rd place Novice Home Ec Bowl teams, 1st and 6th Novice Home Ec Skill-a-thon teams, 2nd place Novice Consumer team with the 1st and 2nd high individual and 3rd place Novice and 3rd place Junior Horticulture Teams. 4-hers learn a variety of life skills studying for these contest and increase their knowledge.