Program Samples Designed To Get Kids Interested in 4-H
By Amy Polk

Les Cheneaux Elementary student Annie Eberts records student suggestions for good behavior while Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Agent Joyce Belonga talks to participants (clockwise from Mrs. Belonga) John Sullivan, Jacob Goodell, Molly Fagan, Sam Eberts, Tyler Schram, Chase Werner, and Colton Bucht, at a new afterschool program in Cedarville Wednesday, February 7

A new after school program has been launched in Mackinac County to get more young people interested in the opportunities offered by Michigan State University Extension 4-H programs. Called After School 4-H Sampler, the program offers eight weeks of classes in areas such as woodworking and cooking, which are two of more than 150 areas of interest available. Extension offers classes, camps, scholarships, and special interest clubs.

"This is a new program we started in schools to expose kids and parents to different program areas," said Joyce Belonga, the Mackinac County Extension educator in charge of 4-H youth development. "And we're pulling in some of the resources of the community to take on teaching some of these sessions. There's a lot of talent out there."

Community volunteers and former educators are among the volunteer teachers lined up for the next seven weeks in Cedarville. Children can still join the program, which got off the ground Wednesday, February 7. Participants will pay a one-time $10 membership fee, regardless of when they start the program. Meetings start immediately after school Wednesdays, at about 3:15 p.m., and continue to 4:30 p.m., through March 28.

A program in St. Ignace for students of Gros Cap and St. Ignace Area Schools is expected to start February 23 at St. Ignace Public Library. Mrs. Belonga is still organizing the program and needs volunteers to teach sessions. Sessions will be based on interest areas that ranked highest among Gros Cap and St. Ignace students surveyed earlier this year, including woodworking, photography, shooting sports, and robotics. In the upcoming months, Extension plans to survey students at Curtis Elementary, Engadine Consolidated, and Mackinac Island to see what programs children might want to see at their schools.

Fifteen children signed up for the program at Cedarville, where students ranked cooking, acting, woodworking, nature, and science among their top interests. A cooking class with Extension nutritionist Mary Pemble- Swiderski will be February 14. Participants will learn to make healthy snacks and learn about nutrition.

February 28, participants are expected to take a winter ecology hike outdoors with Hessel outfitter and biologist Jessie Hadley. The following week, Hessel artist Diana Windsor-Grenier will teach how to be a clown, with make-up and acting tips.

Meetings five and six will be on woodworking, taught by Rob Burger of Cedarville, and students will learn the basics of cutting, sanding, burning, and personalizing projects.

Week seven will include informal science experiments taught by retired teacher Betty Jones of Cedarville.

Phil Quinn of Cedarville, an amateur actor, will teach drama in the final session, with acting exercises, concentration, and using one's voice and body to project sound and tell stories.

MSU Extension's state office introduced the $10 annual membership fee in 2006, following a statewide survey in which more than 80 percent of adults said they would be willing to pay something for 4-H programs rather than lose them. A slumping economy means Michigan has less money to give MSU Extension, so the service elected to start charging the $10 fee to raise money for 4-H program and curriculum development, Mrs. Belonga said. The agency plans to replace outdated educational and reference materials. The membership fee is good for one year for any MSUE youth programs, including camps and clubs.

Scholarships are awarded to children whose families cannot afford the fee, and parents can apply by calling the Mackinac County Extension office in St. Ignace at 643-7307.

Volunteers for other schools can also call that number and are being asked to instruct one session of the 4-H Sampler.