4H implements technology into age-old teachings

When some children turn to technology to entertain themselves, members of the Sudbury Clever Clovers, a branch of the 4H club, are intertwining it into their group.

The local branch has taken teaching life skills one step further, and has started teaching technology.

According to club vice-president Ryan Macdonald, 16, the local chapter has pioneered participating in technology projects. “We’ve brought technology into the projects — before it was just farming.”

Macdonald said technology, “actually helps (the club). We’ve done projects such as movie making. We actually went to Science North, and they lent us their Mac computer laboratory and each member made a movie.

“That was a new thing in 4H because no one had used technology like that yet.”

Even Facebook has helped the club.

“When you go to big events, you actually make friends with 4H members, like in Halifax, and through Facebook, you can keep in touch.”

The 4H club focuses on teaching youth useful life skills by participating in practical projects, such as cooking and sewing, according to the Sudbury Clever Clovers president Shannyn Falcioni, 18.

Macdonald said the club is about teaching youth to be responsible.“You have to take care of stuff. If you’re the treasurer, you actually have to manage the money, it’s not imaginary,” Macdonald laughed.

4H takes a practical approach to life skills, the vice-president said.“The club is really hands-on, ‘learn to do by doing,’ is the motto.”

Head, heart, hands and health make up the name of the 4H club.

Falcioni and Macdonald both said they enjoyed being in the club and taking part in projects.

On Nov. 4, the Sudbury Clever Clovers joined the mayor at city hall, as he proclaimed the day as “wear your 4H colours” day.

Wearing green represents agriculture and the white represents purity.

For more information, visit www.4-h-canada.ca or www.4-hontario.ca.