The Halton branch of the 4-H Club is blazing a trail in recovering its membership in the post-COVID era.
Last year they had 25 members, but this year, they can boast double that figure.
And there's still more work to be done. Halton 4-H is inviting youth to take part in a whole host of activities to learn new skills in agriculture, crafting and leadership, among others.
The group accepts members from across the region. Its various clubs have a significant presence in Milton and Halton Hills, with their members vying to make a mark in local fairs.
Director of the Halton branch Joanne Hewitson says that 4-H may appeal to youth, and their parents, who are looking for “neat activities for their kids that may be a little bit different from standard hockey, gymnastics and skating.”
4-H got its start at the turn of the 20th century in the United States. The creation of the club was motivated by its founders wanting students to have more of a connection with rural life. The 4-H name alludes to the club’s values of head, heart, hands, and health, the initials from which are found on its four-leaf clover emblem. For that reason, its various clubs around the world teach several agricultural skills.
Halton stays true to its roots by having a calf club, a sheep club, a horse club and a rabbit hopping club.
However, the volunteer group doesn't limit itself to agricultural learning. Shutterbugs have the option to join the photography club. The makers among us can join either the crafting club or the crochet club. Want to learn to cook? There is a club for that. More interested in making bread? One of the newer clubs is about that.
“The one thing that's really unique about 4-H is the hands-on skills that the kids are learning, whether it's how to care for a rabbit or how to bake a loaf of bread,” said Hewitson.
She also noted the more hidden experiences that young people have over the course of simply participating in a club.
“We run meetings using parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules. Each club goes through an election process and they elect a president or vice president, a secretary or a press reporter. The kids learn how you run a meeting, how you make a motion and how you vote on an idea.”
While the animal-related clubs generally run from the spring until September, the cooking, breadmaking, crafting and crocheting clubs are some of the newer ones for the fall. Those interested can reach out to the club via email at [email protected].
4-H is open to youth aged nine to 21. Kids aged six and eight also have the option to join Cloverbuds, which meet in Milton and Acton. This club serves as an introduction to various activities under the 4-H umbrella.
More information can be found on the 4-H club’s website and Facebook page.