We made the paper and I missed this article, but just found it on the web!
4-H clubs offer countless benefits
By: DALE MACHESIC
The Intelligencer
Local 4-H head honcho Bob Brown asked me this week if I could help spread the word about the upcoming Shooting Sports programs. I didn't hit send and started to write this.
If you read this column, you know how much I support the 4-H organization and the various 4-H programs. Over the years my family has gotten so involved that my wife Ann is now the parent organizer of the Hilltown Club. By the way, we can use more youngsters - the old "Hilltown High" building has a little more room for your son and daughter!
Today, 4-H is a national youth program with over 6.5 million youngsters learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. There are 3,500 full-time staff members, more than a half million volunteers and more than 60 million alumni that make up the 4-H family.
Attached at the hip to Penn State University, the 4-H program is in every county in the state. Last year as a chaperone at the state competition in Happy Valley, I enjoyed the company of over 500 of the greatest kids I've ever been associated with. These kids had qualified for the state level competition in county programs around Pennsylvania.
You have no idea how proud these kids made us parents while they showed their varied talents on the big central PA campus. From judging livestock to operation of agricultural equipment; from fashion design to food and nutrition; from public speaking to horse judging; from photography to physical fitness and dozens more, the activities are nearly endless.
Our local Bucks County chapter of 4-H recently spent a Saturday touring the facilities of Delaware Valley College. The tour was the final class of the animal science course youngsters from 13-18 can take on the beautiful Doylestown Township campus. Dr. Pamela Reed navigated the youngsters through the course. Through the winter months, she had them participating in a schedule of learning activities that ranged from dissecting minks to learning what makes a healthy family pet.
The day these youngsters spent touring the barns at DVC was something you should all experience. The graduate students that served as our guides have bright futures. I thanked one of them for very delicately and professionally taking the kids through every detail in artificial breeding done at DVC's state-of-the-art facilities.
Can you imagine the giggle factor if they hadn't?
The best part of the day was the look on the kids' faces. The conversations of the junior and senior high schoolers about their futures were fascinating. Kids that before the course might not have known the difference between beef cattle and dairy cows or that a pig is actually a very clean animal, were discussing their intentions of careers in animal sciences. Dr. Reed had my attention when she described the "bad press" regarding the production of the milk we drink.
One of the many questions I get from parents constantly is how can they get their kids started in the shooting sports.
It's unrealistic to think you have to go to the local sporting goods store and plunk down hundreds of dollars only to find out that junior has no interest or loses any interest rather quickly.
That's where 4-H can fill the gap.
Archery, air rifles, air pistols and shotguns are available for any area youngster that wants to "give it a shot." If your son or daughter has never picked up a gun or bow before but would like to, bring them out and join us for an experience they can take with them for the rest of their lives. Certified instructors take over the minute they arrive on the farm owned by the man that is a hero to every regional 4-H alum, Jack Shelly, in Hilltown.
It will set you back $11 for your son or daughter to join 4-H. Much of the equipment is free and available for use. And don't think it's not good equipment. The countless hours of volunteer efforts of many have stocked the barn with top shelf equipment. Archery, air rifle and air pistol equipment is available or you can bring your own. Shotguns and shells are on you but the clay birds will be provided.
If your son or daughter is between eight and 18 and would like to shoot at targets and learn safe firearms handling, they are all welcome. If they'd like to learn more about the dozens of other 4-H activities they should take advantage of the start of spring and get involved now.
"I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living; for my club, my community, my country and my world."
That's what every 4-H kid pledges at all major 4-H events.
Works for me.
The shooting schedules start next week so you need to call right away if you want to get involved. Call Brown's staff at 215-345-3283 to register and get more information.
The winner of the Coghlan's camping equipment was difficult to choose. Thank you for all the terrific e-mails and letters I received telling me your favorite family camping adventures. Every one of them brought back memories for me. Seniors and kids all wrote in. I loved all of them.
Greg Leven of Southampton told me he loves to take his kids camping and usually relies on the kindness of friends for the gear. Well, he has a little of his own now. He said the article last week inspired him to "make some quality time for my family." I'll have to see what else Coghlan's will throw in.
Dale Machesic can be reached at 215-345-3019 or dmachesic@phillyburbs.com.
April 20, 2009 09:17 AM
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