It was great to meet so many new faces last Monday at the Gallatin County Schools Open House! We also saw a lot of familiar faces. For anyone wanting more information, check out the Gallatin County IL 4-H Facebook group. We would love to hear from you!
Kayak club coming soon!
4-H members from Gallatin, Pope-Hardin, Hamilton, Saline, and White counties ages 10 and up are invited to join Illinois’ premier flatwater kayaking club!
Participants will learn basic safety and skills while traveling to various small lakes and ponds in the area. We will stick to waters with minimal boat traffic for safety reasons. Participants will be required to provide their own boat, paddle and life jacket as well as the transport of these items.
Our first meeting on September 1 is a security meeting. We will all take an online water safety course and check the fit of everyone’s life jackets. All participants MUST complete this course to participate.
Barrel racing clinic
We have a great opportunity for 4-H members registered with the Horse and Pony Project! On Saturday, September 10, beginning at 10 a.m., we are hosting a barrel racing clinic at the Southeastern Illinois Horse Club arena in Ridgway. Members bring your horse for the opportunity to learn how to improve your barrel racing! Young people are encouraged to bring a horse — but it is not necessary. Cloverbuds may not exhibit live animals, but they are welcome to come and view.
Gallatin County Saddle Club Chief Raegan Smith and the Smith family will give instructions. She and her sisters have qualified for the IBRA National Championships several times. Helmets are mandatory when mounted. If you don’t have a helmet, please contact your manager or EPC to see if there is one to borrow.
The clinic will cover gear and equipment, pattern, turns, runs and more. After the clinic we will have fun classes and games such as Egg N Spoon, Ride A Buck, Simon Says, Relay Races & Teamwork games. Email me at [email protected] for more information.
Events to come
31/08: Conservation fair
01/09: Beginning of the new 4-H year
9/1: Kayak Club Safety Meeting 6 p.m., Gallatin Co. Farm Bureau
9/10: Barrel Racing Clinic, Ridgway
9/17: Kayak meeting
24/09: Kayak meeting
9/30: Farm to Table Event, Shawneetown
10/1-2: Camp Whitetail, at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center
10/2-8: National 4-H Week
10/10: Kayak meeting
10/14-16: Junior Leadership Conference
• To learn more about 4-H in Illinois and Gallatin County, email Kassy at [email protected]. The University of Illinois extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, email Kassy.
