If your child is between the ages of six to 19 years and is interested in animals or meeting new friends, organizers hope you will consider participation in the Salt Spring Island 4-H Community Club.
The year 2023 marks the club’s 42nd year, according to club leader and registrar Loretta Rithaler, who said the return to in-person activities has allowed the club to once again flourish.
“4-H offers opportunities to learn how to become productive, self-assured adults who can make their community — and country — a good place in which to live,” said Rithaler. “We are very proud of our club members’ achievements, at the district, regional, provincial and national levels, earning and gaining recognition with camp/leadership opportunities, bursaries and secondary school course credits.”
The goal of the 4-H program is youth development, with the objectives of knowledge, leadership, citizenship and personal development. This is fostered through project and program work, such as learning and practising animal husbandry, skill development, public speaking, encouraging confidence, and of course making new friends — with the support, encouragement and guidance of volunteer leaders and 4-H alumni from the Salt Spring community.
To inquire about whether the club will be a good fit for your child, send an email to lrithaler@telus.net, subject line “4-H Enrolment Inquiry.”
The annual membership fee is $125, with the possibility for membership fee assistance, according to Rithaler.
New member enrolment is open until Feb. 15.
The club is also seeking volunteer leaders and welcomes inquiries to lrithaler@telus.net with the subject line “4-H Volunteer Inquiry.”
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The following two reports provide an idea of what it’s like to be part of the Salt Spring 4-H group.
2022 President’s Activity Report
BY PARKER PROUDFOOT
I would like to thank you all for coming to our award ceremony! I hope you enjoy yourselves.
This year in 4-H we did a lot! Every month was something new; a new activity, a new event. It was like we got to explore every aspect of 4-H. I believe that through this some of us learned to do new things, or found something that they love to do and will someday lead to a future career. I learned that I like public speaking and, due to that, found my love for theatre and the performing arts.
Back in January my friend and I took a step up and went to Districts for public speaking. I found there that even though I was nervous, I loved being able to tell stories and perform for people. January was just the start of the year and I had already found something I loved; that is when I realized that although we didn’t know it at the time, 4-H will shape the way we live and our future, for the better.
February is when we really started to get to know each other, we got more into how we would run our meetings, our agenda and our pledge, but it was just the start. In March, April and May we took some big trips to Ted and Christine’s houses. It was amazing being in Ted’s garden. We went two times and the difference between March and May was unbelievable. It was like walking into a fairytale.
In April the club visited Christine’s house where they got to see her ducks! I was not able to go to this event but I heard that there was lots of fun with ducklings. July was when we got to see each other’s farms, during a farm check. It was very interesting seeing everyone’s work and accomplishments! August was when we had an early barn cleanup preparing for the fall fair.
In September the fall fair happened. We helped our sponsor Country Grocer with the Spin to Win games and had a poultry show with our friends from Saanich Fowl Creatures and displayed all our projects. October was when we had the election for the coming year as well as a small potluck. We also lent a helping hand to the local food bank with a fundraising event and participated in the Christmas Shoebox project at the Community Gospel Chapel.
Through all of this we helped the community while learning our own skills and interests.
I enjoyed being with my fellow 4-H members and I loved how I got to know them as the year went by. Next year I hope to go even farther with public speaking and exploring new skills by our motto, “Learn to Do by Doing.”
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2022 Awards Event Report
By HANNAH ROWTHORN
The Awards event in 2022 was very exciting. It had many different fun activities, such as the candlelight ceremony, awards, speeches, an appetizing meal, delicious desserts and more.
The event was held in the Community Gospel Chapel next to Portlock Park. Members arrived at around 11 to 11:30 a.m. to help set up.
Many guests were invited from Country Grocer, the Salt Spring Island Women’s Institute and Salt Spring Island Girl Guides, who are our very generous sponsors and volunteer judges. We sat in table groups while having lunch and watching members and sponsors collecting and presenting awards.
I had lots of fun with the other members in this year’s awards event! For me, the funnest activity was looking at the giant cheque from one of our generous sponsors, Country Grocer!
A big thank you to all of the volunteer leaders, sponsors and parents for making it happen!