In
a small office tucked at the end of a hallway in the Utah
State University Extension on 200 South, Marian Holyoak speaks
a mile a minute about Grand County 4-H classes and projects
and volunteers, while shuffling and stapling several piles
of paper into an attractive display. She breaks momentarily
to discuss the recent drop in middle school student participation
and to brainstorm how to overcome it with someone on the
telephone, pointing me in the direction of a photo album
and brochure I can peruse in preparation for our interview
for this month’s Non-Profit Happenings article.
To
call this multi-tasking would be an understatement.
This summer will be Marian’s fifth overseeing some 230 Grand County
youth between the ages of 8 and 18 who enjoy the camaraderie and tutelage
of Grand County’s 4-H Club. Activities planned for this summer
range from cooking and cake decorating to drama, gymnastics, and – of
course – horses.
While 4-H is often associated with agricultural projects, its emphasis
is on youth leadership, organization, decision-making and applied skills
of all kinds. At this time in Grand County there is no agricultural club,
and other projects are now showcased in a Children’s Fair held
in the fall at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center. This year’s
fair will be held on September 11, 2004.
A
Teen Counsel helps develop and run the classes offered to youth, including
an after school program at Helen M. Knight Elementary School. Its members
go to teen leadership training courses and come back to offer service
to local youth. They take on Kindergarten projects, a food drive and
hospital service. One of the classes over the past year knitted wool
hats to send to the Ukraine.
Past activities also include an entrepreneur project, wherein members
opened their own small businesses; a games club; a chess club; “Make
One Take One” Christmas gift project; and work with the Prevent
Child Abuse program in Moab.
The
Utah State University Extension provides the administrative support,
and Marian Holyoak is the only paid staff. Adult and youth leaders are
all volunteer assistants.
The four leaf clover universally recognized as the Four-H logo represents
its pledge: My Head, to clearer thinking; My heart to greater loyalty;
My Hands to larger service; My Health to better living.
There is no charge to join 4-H, although there may be some material costs
for some of the classes. Classes being planned for this summer include
babysitting, beading, computers, cooking, counted cross stitch, crafts,
creative writing, crocheting, drama/theater, gymnastics, hat making club,
hiking, horse – knowledge of and riding, mosaic tile, reading for
fun, running, service, sewing, scrapbooking and teen counsel.
To
sign up for the 4-H Summer Recreational Club contact the Grand County
Extension office at 259-7558. A sign=up sheet is available at the office,
or will be amiled to you. After registration forms are gathered, applicants
will be notified of days and times classes will be held. Each runs from
June 7 to the last week in July.Exemplifying what 4-H tries to help youth
accomplish is this year’s Grand County 4-H-er of the year, Stacey
Sjoblom. Marion says Stacey started taking a crochet class and has “just
blossomed.”
“She quilts, she’s a teen leader and everything she does turns out
beautifully,” she said.
Now, Stacey will be helping others to do the same. |