Glacier County 4-H successfully adapts to COVID-19 challenges

Published: 2020
By Kari Lewis

Despite numerous challenges to 4-H due to COVID-19 restrictions, many successful adaptations were made thanks to the resiliency of 4-H members and leaders. With the traditional Cloverbud camp cancelled, five teen leaders stepped up and created ‘Camp in a Bag’ for Cloverbuds. Each Cloverbud received a paper bag of activities and games designed by older 4-Her's that the members could complete with family or friends. When fair switched to a virtual format just eight days before the scheduled start, leaders and parent volunteers quickly organized a livestock preview at the local Saddle Club for potential buyers to view livestock outside during the online auction. Without time to mail sale catalogs to potential buyers, 12 members took to the streets of the local community, hand-delivering sale information to businesses and inviting them to participate in the auction. With Montana 4-H Congress and the fair going virtual, 4-H members adapted and presented demonstrations and speeches virtually via Webex. While 4-Her's typically interview with other members of their projects in a Roundtable format for end-of-the-year awards, this year, members interviewed with judges one-on-one and outdoors at the city park. Even though the Marias Fair dog show was virtual, junior leader Hadley Barbie still saw her dog arena renovation project to completion. Barbie had received a Montana 4-H Foundation People Partner grant and solicited additional donations to rebuild the dog arena fence and refinish the bleachers. The adaptability of 4-H members and leaders in 2020 was truly a blue-ribbon effort!