Learning to Do by Doing with the Elgin 4-H For decades in Elgin County, 4-H has been a cornerstone of youth development, helping shape young leaders through hands-on learning. With the motto ‘Learn to do by doing’, 4-H empowers youth to build confidence, gain skills, and form lasting friendships— regardless of whether they grew up on a farm or in town. Roberta Gillard, President of Elgin County 4-H, says there truly is a club for everyone. “From dairy to gardening and everything in between, youth are invited to explore their interests, challenge themselves, and grow as individuals.” Participants must be at least 9 years old by December 31 of the previous year to take part in the following season’s clubs. Each club consists of approximately 12 hours of learning, spread over six meetings, and concludes with an Achievement Day where youth showcase what they’ve learned. Currently, four club projects are underway or about to begin. The East Elgin Dairy Calf Club will hold its Achievement Day at the Aylmer Fair on August 9 at 10:30 am, and the West Elgin Beef Club wraps up at the Wallacetown Fair on September 29 at 9:00 am. The Pickle Club offers a unique two-day and one-night program running from August 15 to 17 for members aged 14 and above at the Gay Lea Dairy Museum, located south of Aylmer. A life skills club titled Breadventure starts September 5. For more details on either, contact: elgincounty4h@gmail.com. Support from the community is crucial to the success of the program. Roberta expressed thanks to their generous sponsors, including Elgin County Council, Optimists International, Elgin Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Mutual Insurance, Farm Credit Canada, and the Elgin Dairy Committee.
The positive impact of 4-H is perhaps best reflected in the words of past members. Margo McDougall, now training to be a volunteer leader, says, “Over the years I’ve gained public speaking skills, hands-on kitchen and craft experience, and learned perseverance and barn safety. Camps like Youth Adventure and Leap into Leadership taught me how to communicate and problem solve.” Lexi Smith agrees: “From the moment I joined, I was welcomed into a community that values leadership, learning and growth. 4-H helped shape my sense of responsibility and gave me skills I’ll carry for life.” For a list of clubs for 2026, or to learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer, check out their Facebook page 4HElginCounty or visit www.4-hontario.ca. PERMITS BURN
ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY FIRE LARGER THAN
A NORMAL BACKYARD CAMP FIRE
RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT FOR PERMITS AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE FOR REQUESTED BURN
APPLY ON LINE
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Page 10 Real Living • Summer 2025
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