Media release - Katy Ulland and Grace Wesson, Photo Credit: Katy Ulland
Columbia Gorge News
Hood River – Hood River County 4-H, in partnership with Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) Future Farmers of America (FFA), hosted a Super Saturday community youth event on March 14 at HRVHS, bringing together 58 youth for a day of hands-on learning, creativity, and service.
The five-hour event featured 20 different classes designed to help young people explore new interests, build practical skills, and connect with others in the community. The youth choose from a variety of workshops, including: yoga, watercolor painting, solar car building, ice cream making, and worm farm exploration.
In addition to learning new skills, participants also had the opportunity to give back. As part of a community service project, youth created tie blankets for the Adopt-A-Dog Foundation, reinforcing the importance of service.
More than 16 volunteer instructors shared their time and expertise at this event, including high school youth. Students in FFA and the HRVHS Solar Car Club gained leadership experience by teaching classes for youth ages 5-12. HRVHS FFA taught participants how ice cream and dairy products go from farms to their freezers. During a one-hour workshop from the Solar Car Club, participants brought their solar car designs to life and raced them using a sun lamp.
"It was amazing to see so many youth come together to learn something new, try something outside their comfort zone, and leave excited about what they can do next," said Katy Ulland, Super Saturday Coordinator. "Events like this help kids build confidence, discover new interests, and feel connected to their community".
By the end of the day, many youth not only left with projects in hand, but also with new friendships, fresh confidence, and enthusiasm for future learning opportunities. "Even if you fail, you can do it," one participant reflected in a post-event survey.
Hood River County 4-H hopes to continue offering programs like Super Saturday that inspire youth to explore, create, and serve. Community members interested in upcoming 4-H events and volunteer opportunities can learn more by calling the Oregon State University Extension Service office (541-386-3343) or visiting the Hood River County 4-H website: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/hoodriver.
Commented