4-H Clover Classroom Brings Summer Fun and Learning

August 26, 2008

While many kids are vegging out in front of a television or computer during summer vacation, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's St. Clair County office has been working hard to get those kids off the couch and back into the classroom - the 4-H Clover Classroom that is!

Studies show that students traditionally lose ground during the summer when school is out. Research also indicates that out-of-school time programs can make a difference.

With this in mind, 4-H agent assistant Tonya Tomlin and County Extension coordinator Lee Ann Clark created a new and unique learning opportunity for students during the summer. Where else can you learn how to become a seasoned chef, an expert angler, a master marksman or robotics engineer all while avoiding the proverbial summer learning slump?

In its third year, the 4-H Clover Classroom provides a series of one-day hands-on workshops for 4-H'ers and non 4-H youth ages 9 to 14 during July. This year’s classes overflowed with more than 160 youngsters who were ready to learn, have fun and meet new friends. Activities included a week-long kids’ cooking camp, archery, Junior Master Gardener, robotics, quilting, scrapbooking, sportfishing and all-terrain vehicle safety.

A $3,000 grant from the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council funded the archery workshop, while local businesses and organizations donated $2,175 along with supplies and materials to support the other workshops.

Forty local community volunteers, Master Gardeners, 4-H parents, volunteer leaders, teachers, game wardens and Extension professionals combined efforts to make this year’s 4-H Clover Classroom the best yet!

For more news from the St. Clair Extension office, visit http://www.aces.edu/StClair/.

Posted by dreynold on August 26, 2008 11:55 AM
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