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Davis Journal

4-H is not just livestock and horses

May 12, 2023 12:01PM ● By Megan Gleason

KAYSVILLE—The Utah House, formally a show house for sustainable living, has expanded as part of the Utah State University (USU) Botanical Gardens extension to house the Davis County 4-H Program within its walls. 4-H is a national program for children and teens focusing on the power of learning by doing. This motto includes various educational opportunities ranging from agriculture to public speaking and leadership skills. The Utah House is the location for many great clubs, such as gardening, horseback riding, mountain biking, shooting sports, and community events happening throughout the year. 

“If there’s an interest from a kid, 4-H has something for them,”said Lauren Montgomery, the 4-H Program Coordinator for Davis County. “We do the typical course and livestock programs everyone thinks of in 4-H, but we also do STEM nights and camps. There are clubs for 3D printing, robotics, sewing, and cooking. We have it all.” 

The program has also started incorporating Family Nights, where parents are encouraged to participate in activities with their children. These activities vary depending on the month and tend to revolve around relevant topics or to celebrate special events. The next Family Night the program will be hosting is in celebration of May 4, focusing on space-related topics. 

“Our main goal is to make them [children] better community members,” Montgomery said. 

Following the 4-H pledge, children and teens are encouraged to take active roles within their communities and educate themselves about the world around them. This includes leadership opportunities for teens to assist in teaching younger children during club and camp activities and volunteer work. The program often has community service events managed and led entirely by the Teen Council. 

“They plan everything; I just keep them within the realm of possibility,” said Montgomery. “We do an overnight trip for the teenagers, which is a way to reward them for their hard work.”

The Teen Council has planned projects such as tying blankets for the needy and sending thank you cards to local first responders. 

All the clubs and programs organized by 4-H are funded through grants, donations, or individual fundraisers organized by the clubs. Each club has fundraisers a few times a year, typically organized by the members. 

“We’re a non-profit, so everything that comes in goes right back into the community and to the kids,” said Montgomery. “The next fundraiser we have is with the horse club. They’re doing horse rides for the public.”

Many clubs within the program are run entirely by volunteers. These volunteers are typically parents or simply community members who wish to promote the next generation’s learning. Anyone can propose an idea for a new club if there is interest in it and any volunteers willing to oversee it. 4-H assists volunteers with materials and curriculum ideas on their website. 

“There’s a strong need for a STEM club,” Montgomery said. “I would love to have one; it’s just a matter of finding someone to run it. It can be a challenge.”

Beyond the yearlong clubs and events hosted at The Utah House, the 4-H program also offers summer camps. Enrollment for these camps opened on April 1 and is open to anyone interested. This year’s camps include science camps, sustainability, baking, wildlife, and fishing. 

“A lot of parents want their kids to continue learning over the summer, and our camps offer that,” said Montgomery. “It’s a busy place here in the summer.”

The Utah House has recently done small renovations to make the space more compatible with future club events and activities. They also have plans to expand their garden and outdoor area for members of the garden club and outdoor education. 

“4-H is for everyone,” said Montgomery. “It’s not just livestock and horses; it’s literally for everyone and everyone in the family. There’s a place for the parents or the kids.”  λ