Students become teachers at 4-H Discovery Camp

The Sanders County Fairgrounds was the site of the first annual 4-H Discovery Camp, a two-day event designed to educate local children ages 5 to 10 through hands-on learning activities.

A series of mini classes and stations were taught by local 4-H club members known as ambassadors. The stations covered a wide range of topics, including chickens, taught by Anaelle Avilla; art, taught by Brianna Horner; outdoor adventures, taught by Dechlan Neeson; beef, taught by Brooklynn Crain and Gavin Hafner; toad houses and flower planting, taught by Jayden Cook and Andrew Wrobleski; wool, taught by Hannah Olson; goats, taught by Ailie Avilla; bubble science, taught by Zoe Kifer; and horses, taught by Isaiah Schork.

Keeping the event organized and running on schedule was 17-year-old Melodie Cook, who served as camp director.

“This program was created in an attempt to get younger members excited about joining 4-H and to teach the younger generation about agriculture and art,” Cook said.

The goat station proved one of the more popular attractions. Students got to pet Jewel, a 1-year-old goat, while learning about goat projects from instructor Ailie Avilla.

“I feel like it’s really good because when you are teaching someone, you learn more than when you are just learning from someone,” Avilla said. “You learn more when you are trying to teach because you don’t want them to ask questions you don’t know the answer to.”

The horse and beef barn was another favorite stop for campers. Two cows and a horse were on hand as children eagerly asked questions about the animals.

During his presentation, Ambassador President Gavin Hafner was asked about a tag attached to one of the cows. Hafer explained that it was a breeding tag and went on to describe the process in an age-appropriate manner.

“I am having a lot of fun with this event, watching the kids run around and learn about horses and cows,” Hafner said. “The kids have really enjoyed it. It is nice to see them excited about animals. I hope to see some of them in 4-H, especially in the beef project. I am a bit biased on that.”

At the outdoor adventures station, Neeson demonstrated the use of compasses, flashlights and other tools commonly used during outdoor excursions. Many of the items featured during his presentation were later given away to students as prizes.

Jennifer Avilla, mother of two of the ambassadors, praised the program for the opportunities it provided both the presenters and the younger participants.

“I am so excited for this opportunity,” Avilla said, “I am so excited for the opportunity, one for the ambassadors to have the opportunity to present and to work on their leadership skills and sharing information they have garnered from being in 4-H, as well as to teach young kids and encourage them to look at 4-H.”

Funding for the two-day event was provided through grants from several different sources.

    Rowyn Niemi, 8, attends the 4-H Discovery Camp's Bubble Science Class at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)