THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510050210
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
THEY COOK. They clean. They wash. They learn.
And they have a great time.
Outer Banks kids involved in 4-H programs have done just that and more in a welcome blend of community service, education and fun. And there's a lot more brewing for the coming year.
Somewhat of a modest presence here for the last 15 years, 4-H is expanding along with the increased population in the area, with a growing interest in summer programs, new clubs and school-based courses.
Recognized by the familiar clover-leaf symbol representing head, heart, health and hands, 4-H is best known for introducing young people to agriculture.
But the group long ago dropped its former farm-only identity in favor of a diverse, contemporary curriculum for children from age 6 through the teen years.
``The response has been really great,'' said Bonnie Brown, program assistant for the Dare County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. ``I think it's good for kids to start them out early, to belong to something.''
That's why the ``Dinosaurs'' were up to their elbows in soap suds in Southern Shores last week, washing cars to raise funds for their 4-H Cloverbud (ages 6-8) club.
Granted, ``the mommies did a lot of the work,'' but Brown said the kids made $100 for their efforts. The proceeds help pay club expenses while teaching the children the value of money.
Brown said parents are always on the lookout for activities for their children, and 4-H provides both a valuable alternative and a supplement to sports and Scouts - especially with its emphasis on education.
``It's not just play; there's a little bit of learning thrown in there,'' Brown said. ``4-H tries to teach kids life skills. It goes beyond sports.''
For instance, the Youth Enhancement Through Community Service program - held for the first time this past summer - provided memorable, enriching experiences for participants.
About 20 middle-school-age kids did community service projects like a beach sweep, nursing home visits and bowling with older adults in exchange for free ``fun days'' at waterslides, day camps or other activities.
Funded by a $3,000 grant from the state Division of Youth Services, the program had a very positive effect on the kids, Brown said.
``I found they really liked it,'' she said. ``I think they're really hungry for things to do during the summer.''
Plans are already under way to expand the program next summer, she said.
A course planned for this fall will help young people cope with being alone at home. What, for instance, should a child do when the power goes off? Or if there is sudden severe weather, like a tornado?
Even more commonplace concerns, like how to deal with lost house keys or obscene phone calls, may be easily overlooked by parents when instructing their kids about staying home by themselves, officials said.
``At Home Alone,'' a 4-H course for elementary students, plans to cover all the bases: safety, boredom, responsibility for siblings, emergencies and crime prevention.
The course will begin Monday at Manteo Elementary School, using material and volunteers from 4-H with the cooperation and input of the Manteo teachers.
The organization also sponsors clubs at First Flight Middle School on leadership, careers, photography, bicycle safety, the environment and insects.
Another Cloverbud club has started meeting this month in Manteo, and a new club for 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-graders in Manteo is in the works. Other new clubs in Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk are also being planned, Brown said.
Meanwhile, Brown said the School-Age Children's Camp will be continued next summer in the elementary schools. And a coordinator has already started working on next summer's camp program for middle-school youth.
``We're envisioning a place where they could come and do all kinds of different things,'' Brown said of the proposed camp.
``I think we need as many options as possible for our children,'' she said. MEMO: For more information, call the Cooperative Extension Service at
473-1101, Ext 241. ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of 4-H Clubs
Outer Banks kids involved in 4-H programs are likely to participate
in a car wash, perform community service, get an education and have
fun.
by CNB