Frontenac 4H draws a crowd for rally night

Craig Bakay | Mar 04, 2020

The Frontenac 4H Association met at Glenburnie United Church last Friday night for their annual rally night.

It’s an interesting night, as the 15 or so clubs-withinaclub try to convince 4H members to sign up for their particular club.

There are of course clubs dedicated to all aspects of farming and animals such as dairy, beef, swine, rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs) as well as community involvement, gardening, photography and cake decorating.

There were also two new clubs this year – On Your Own and Small animals.

“Some day, you’re going to be on your own and you’ll need all sorts of practical skills,” said club leader Betty Barra. “A lot of people think some of these things are hard, but they really aren’t once someone shows to how to do them.”

Topics to be explored include power tools, plumbing, electrical, house cleaning, painting, budgeting, sewing and kitchen skills like cooking, backing, preserving food and grocery shopping.

“You learn these things, so when you’re on your own one day, you won’t have to get somebody to do them for you,” she said.

For Rachel Clow, leader of the small animals club, this is not only a way to practise her chosen profession, but also a way to do something good.

“I’m going into veterinary technician,” she said. “And this club is all about animals you can have as pets — dogs, cats, reptiles.

“A lot of animals are given to shelters because people don’t realize what they’re getting themselves into.

“In this club, people, especially the younger ones, will get to experience hands-on what it’s like to have a certain animal as a pet.”