There’s no one telling the West Shore 4-H Club kids what to do.
“The club is run by the kids and based on their interests,” said 4-H mentor Stef Prenevost explaining that all events and projects are created and executed by the young members of the groups and the adults are just there to mentor.
The West Shore 4-H club is open for children nine years and older. Currently the oldest member of the club is 14 years old, but anyone up to 21 is welcome to join.
This year the club is focused on chickens, but as the children run the club, they have the option to pick any project they want and may include goats, guinea pigs, small engine repair – even art projects.
With the West Shore being a mix of urban and rural communities, Prenevost wants people to know there is more to 4-H than farming. The club is open to children living on farms with animals and children in condos.
“For their project kids can adopt a grandparent, sew, quilt or fix a machine,” Prenevost said. “If they want to do motocross they have to earn the money for a bike, learn to fix it and go to trials.”
West Shore 4-H started in June when it branched off from the Metchosin club.
The Metchosin 4-H club began in 2010 and gained more than 50 members, so a second club was formed.
The club meets on the third Sunday of each month. The new session starts in January, but anyone interested in joining is encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting to see what the club is all about.
West Shore 4-H operates out of the Luxton Fair Grounds and meetings run from 1 to 3 p.m.
For more information or to attend a trial meeting, email Prenevost at k9mabarker@hotmail.com.