Having Fun Learning...the Adults that is.

Did we have jealous youth on Tuesday night? You bet we did as it was the volunteers turn to come in and do the ever incredible make and take projects as part of their volunteer leaders training. Our idea was to set up tables around the auditorium and introduce our volunteers to enough activities that they could go back and use one for each of their club meetings in 2010. All in all we had 6 people set up offering more than a dozen projects that could be done with their club.
Bobby Rogers set up a table and showed the different woodworking projects he could do with youth. There was everything from recycled soda can bird houses to magazine racks, shelving units and a gumball machine (that was really cool). All of his projects are a very small cost and he is wonderful about making them youth friendly and will come work with the youth in putting them together. For many of our youth it is the first time they have ever held a hammer or nailed something into place, which is always very exciting.
Kerrie Roach set up and showed off some of the most personality laden grass heads ever made in our office. We actually have a grass head kit that clubs may check out to use. This project is a great horticulture project because the youth learn about plants, alternative planting methods, science, and get to take home something they made and watch it grow.
Jessica Drake set up a table with all sorts of great inexpensive craft ideas. Volunteers could make self esteem mirrors, where they cut out words about themselves and positive saying to collage a small piece of wood. Then they glue a small mirror on the front. The pocket or purse mirror gives you a boost of self confidence every time you pull it out to use it because you see all the wonderful things on the background of the mirror. She also showed the volunteers how to make a Christmas ornament with a foam ball, sequins and straight pins (they really are neat and would take an entire club meeting or more to finish). Also she brought out the looms, you remember the looms where you weaved very colorful potholders for your parents back in the day? They are very inexpensive and we had some expert weavers going at it during our two hour session remember days of old and having a really good time.
Missy McLean offered some really cool ideas for fun club/party crafts. For just a few cents you can make some really cool paper lanterns using Popsicle sticks, tissue paper and play dough. Also she showed us a fun way to make Christmas tree ornaments using twine, glue and glitter. When they dry they are unique and awesome. Would make a great Community Service Project to make ornaments for people and brighten their day.
Aggie Rogers set up a table for two of her favorite activities pasta art and greeting card placemats. The premise for pasta art is that youth use different types of dry pasta and glue them down to create a design and then when they are done you spray paint the design and it takes on a whole new look. It is inexpensive and fun to do during a club meeting. Greeting card placemats recycle old greeting cards into a festive placemat that can be used for special occasions and holidays.
To round it all off Shea Ann DeJarnette had a table introducing Volunteers to all the kits that we have in the office that they can check out for club meetings. There is the 4-H bracelet kit which offers leaders a fun way to teach youth the 4-H pledge, colors and motto. There is a team working kit that includes activities, games and fun candy personality tests. There is also the smell game kit which teaches youth about using other senses and disability awareness. We also have an ice cream in a bag and hot chocolate mix kits which help youth with match and fractions not to mention learning about chemical reactions...science is all around us.
Overall we had a great time creating, crafting, and celebrating all that we do in 4-H. For more hands on trainings stay tuned to our 2010 4-H year which you can find on google calender.