Dog 4-H Special Interest Club
Teen’s passion for dogs launched a club that has grown beyond original goals.
In 2012, Danielle Stuber was a Tazewell 4-Her with a passion for dog training. Along with her mom, the duo started a club focused on dog obedience and care. It has grown to include agility, showmanship, and rally. Through the six years, total club enrollment stands at 130 youth. It is currently drawing members from three additional surrounding counties.
Growing Leaders 4-H Club
New club at Common Place in Peoria inspired by 4-H Spark Tank.
Two years ago Judy Schmidt, 4-H metro educator, led 4-H Spark Tank teens through a community service project to build a hoop house at Common Place in the South Side of Peoria. Many benefits have resulted from that project, including a 4-H gardening club. This summer, several of the members exhibited their produce at the 4-H Show.
STEM Academy
Youth connect with outer space using science, technology, engineering, and math.
This year’s STEM Academy inspired 25 potential future astronauts. During the week-long camp, youth explored a virtual Mars environment, used virtual reality goggles to “do” experiments on Mars, programmed Raspberry Pi devices, built and launched a high-altitude weather balloon, talked to former NASA astronaut Scott Altman, used amateur radio to talk to NASA astronaut Serena AunonChancellor aboard the International Space Station, and worked alongside volunteers from Caterpillar and Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club. This is the third year partnering with Pearl Technology and Richwoods Township for this program.
Tot Time at Dickson Mounds Museum
4-H member improved communication and leadership skills at community program.
Fulton 4-H member Cole Ricker and his mom Tara were invited to present a program about turkeys at Dickson Mounds Museum’s monthly event called Tot Time. Cole brought along two turkeys he raised as part of his 4-H poultry project. Programs like this are just one example where 4-H members start to build their communication and leadership skills at a young age. FULTON, MASON, PEORIA, TAZEWELL YEAR IN REVIEW 2018 7
