4-H & Youth Development
4-H & Youth
Moultrie-Douglas Extension has been working hard to bring learning opportunities to area youth. There are 10 4-H community clubs, 4 special interest clubs held at libraries throughout the counties, and a variety of school enrichment programs that area youth participate in. These efforts have been enhanced by working collaboratively with other groups, organizations, and individuals.
The 4-H community clubs are made up of youth and adults from different families and communities and are led by volunteer leaders. 4-H'ers spend individual time working on projects as well as spending time in their clubs participating in community events such as food drives, beautification projects and other civic activities.
Moultrie-Douglas 4-H clubs served their communities in a variety of ways during the past year. The Camargo Champs chose to help a less fortunate family at the holidays by raising funds to purchase Christmas gifts. In Tuscola the Country Clovers made 80 school bags and filled them with school supplies to share with children in the U.S. and around the world. Arcola Helping Hands collected food for donation to their local pantry. Club members from the Moultrie County Longhorns have an ongoing project to collect pop tabs to donate to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House. Sunny Side Flea Flickers helped the county humane society by collecting and donating pet food and supplies. Members of the Awesome Arthur Clovers donated their time and efforts to paint a building at the county fairgrounds. These 4-H'ers are learning what it means to be valuable community members.
Extension is also working to help reverse the trends that have led to the overwhelming epidemic of obesity in the U.S. Nutrition education and promoting physical activity are two ways that Extension staff can impact this disease. Get Up and Move is a program that is held in conjunction with libraries in Arcola, Tuscola, Villa Grove, and Lovington. The program incorporates physical activity and helps kids learn about healthy lifestyles in a fun, interactive way.
The School Wellness and Movement Program (SWAMP) has reached many students at Arcola Elementary School. Extension staff and school administration have worked diligently together to make the program successful. SWAMP'ers have engaged in activities that involved walking, healthy cooking, healthy eating, and various ways to stay active. The goal has been to create healthy lifestyles that will hopefully continue for a lifetime.
