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Kaitlyn Ng picked up her first bow and arrow in 2014. Her love for archery and shooting sports through her Weld County 4-H Club project has only extended from there.
Ng, who lives in Windsor, does not come from a traditional agricultural background. But the shooting sports project has given her the opportunity to participate in 4-H and hone her skills as a marksman and as a person.
“Although I started my 4-H career in projects like baking then moved into rabbit showmanship, I found my home in shooting sports,” Ng said. “I know this project isn’t traditionally what people think of when hearing about 4-H, but it’s a great project in teaching discipline, leadership and humility.”
Youth not interested in crop production or those not wanting or able to raise and show livestock have an abundance of opportunities to complete projects not related to agriculture – 25 of them, to be exact.
“It’s neat that we can offer these kids the chance to complete a project that suits their personality and interests,” said Director of Weld County Extension Keith Maxey. “4-H isn’t like it used to be, where kids generally raise and show livestock and grow crops. Now, there are a whole host of unique projects to choose from.”
Since 1917, Weld County 4-H has taught youth aged eight to 18 life skills through projects, record keeping and public speaking. Through the program, youth can participate in contests, on judging teams and attend camps and conferences.
Some projects, such as shooting sports, have units designed to allow youth to advance their skillset and knowledge each year. In the restoration project, kids might start fixing something small one year, then advance to bigger projects — like fine-tuning an antique bicycle — the next.
For 14-year-old Wyatt Meyer, looking for a 4-H project led to an unexpected discovery on his family’s farm. An old tool chest that had seen better years lent itself to Meyer’s current restoration project.
Over the past year, Meyer has learned a new skill: how to keep records related to his progress in restoring the chest. He's has had fun while doing it.
“I decided to fix the chest up by sanding it down, replacing a few boards and staining it,” Meyer explained. “Through completing this project, I’ve learned how delicate things can be when they’re older, and seeing it go from being destroyed to looking brand-new is really neat.”
4-H doesn’t just give youth in Weld County the chance to restore an old chest, build a model rocket or take aim at a target — it also teaches valuable life skills. Weld County 4-H members can also learn leadership skills through the Youth Executive Council where kids meet up, exchange ideas and help plan countywide activities and events. Through these experiences, youth build skills they’ll continue to use as they grow older.
“4-H has allowed me to improve my public speaking, leadership and collaboration skills over the past eight years,” said Ng. “This program has given me the chance to get out of my comfort zone by becoming a Shooting Sports Ambassador, President of the Windsor-Severance 4-H Club this year, Weld County Shooting Sports Council Secretary and a member of the Citizenship Washington Focus 4-H program.”
Through her 4-H project, Ng has learned that growth is a direct result of failure and shouldn’t be viewed as a burden.
“4-H shooting sports has taught me a lot about focus, dedication and sportsmanship,” Ng said. “It’s taken me a lot of practice and time to get to the point I’m at now with my competitiveness. And it’s inspiring to know that I still have more room to grow. Overall, 4-H has helped me become a better person and has taught me ‘to make the best better’.”
By Shaley Dehner, Weld County Communications Specialist
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