ROYAL CITY - J.C. Worsham wanted to join 4-H long before he did, but his parents, Sam and Shelli, wouldn't let him until they thought he was ready for it.

He asked several times, as a matter of fact, before they agreed.

It's not certain that holding J.C. back was the right thing to do. It is certain that giving in to his request two years ago was the right decision.

"It's been great," Shelli said. "He's made really good friends with kids from other towns."

"One of the big things," she added, "is just the sense of responsibility he has gained."

That responsibility comes from working with the animals, from the strict rules of 4-H and participating in 4-H community service projects. Members are required to attend at least six meetings year.

One of the requirements when J.C. joined the Liberty Livestock 4-H was parental (generally mothers) involvement. Shelli attends the meetings and helps prepare goodies for those in attendance.

"Other than that, I just sit back and listen," she said.

"4-H is super fun," J.C. said. "The meetings are fun. The last time we had a pool party and then the goodies."

J.C. also enjoys the community service projects. This year his group has done a clean-up at the Pioneer Cemetery a few miles east of Royal City. It has done a Royal City community clean-up and participated in a flower-planting project in town. It also had a fire truck washing day.

Liberty Livestock had an information booth at last week's Royal City SummerFest. The purpose was to explain the 4-H program and hand out printed information to potential new members.