No blog post yesterday because I was giving a horsemanship clinic at the Cassia County fairgrounds to some 4H kids. I was up early gathering gear and got home late. I had 8 students for the morning session and 4 for the afternoon/evening. I had a great time and I think most of the kids learned something and had some fun as well.
One of the things that made it a pleasant experience was the help and support from everyone involved. Many parents and 4H leaders showed up to support the kids which made it nice. Rosie Davids, the county 4H coordinator, attended, provided snacks, and made sure things went well. Dena Jarolimek, the WRH Show Superintendent, reserved the fair grounds, took entries, arranged for the use and shipping of the cattle, set up the arena, and generally ensured everyone had a positive experience. Mike (Dena's son) had a busy day hauling cattle, participating in the clinic, feeding and watering stock, sorting calves, and taking responsibility of the roping dummy and other equipment. I had the easy part. I showed up and played with horses and kids.
Having been a youth counselor in a treatment/detention facility and a public school teacher, it was very gratifying to see the support and interest everyone had in making a great activity for those kids. During the 9 years I worked at the Idaho Youth Ranch (the treatment facility), I worked with quite a few kids that did not even know the whereabouts of their parents. To have someone or anyone, show up and support them at a clinic would have been something they would have never even dreamed of. Yet in this case every kid had a parent or 4H leader haul in their horse and stay to watch and help. They had someone there who had an interest in them and what they were doing. I believe that, in at least one case, a relationship between a girl and her older retired 4H leader was strengthened that will help that girl for the rest of her life.
I recently received a call from a guy I had in my 4H club about 10 years ago. His dad was in jail and his mother had some substance abuse issues. More that once I went over and rousted his butt out of bed and hauled him over to feed his pig and clean the pen. Shortly after he completed his 4H project he got involved in some substance abuse problems of his own and wound up going to adult jail. He said he called because he had some friends over to watch a ball game and they got to talking about "things". He wanted to let me know that he was married, had a little girl. and had been sober and gainfully employed at the same job for over 4 years. The noise of people talking and the TV faded away and he said he locked himself in his bedroom because he didn't want his friends to see him and, that's where he keeps "IT".
He said "IT" was his blue ribbon for his pig from the county fair. He said he looked at it every day while getting ready for work. He said the ribbon reminded him that he had been successful. He said he could continue to be successful and meet his goals if he worked at it. He said he wanted me to know. You can't tell me that 4H doesn't work. You can't tell me that 4H doesn't change lives.
Sometimes being a 4H leader is a pain. But I continue to do it because I want my grand daughters to gain the benefits 4H offers. From my horse club and from the other clubs they are involved in. And, I think as human beings we have a responsibility to make this world a better place. In a small way, I can fulfill this responsibility through my association with 4H.
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