Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person, 4-H club meetings have been canceled until further notice. To meet the needs of the community and continue the 4-H programs already established, 4-H started offering virtual 4-H Clubs.
Seven clubs with over 150 children in Saluda County 4-H would be missing new opportunities that would allow them to interact with others and grow as individuals. With a desire to reach out to her 4-H’ers, Mrs. Lauren Black-Venegas, Saluda County 4-H Agent, compiled information using her March club materials and lessons to continue the monthly meetings. She emailed each club contact and created Facebook groups to continue the communication of activities and materials. Packets were created for each 4-H’er containing the materials needed for the project topic of the upcoming club meeting. Parents were invited to pick up their child’s packet from a storage container outside of the Extension office and fill out a sign-out sheet to record the participants, and packets were also delivered to homes if they could not be picked up.
Lauren created two videos for the club lesson in case some 4-H’ers did not have the capability to join in on the Zoom meeting. In one video she demonstrated the lesson activity, and in the other, she read a book about the lesson. Images of instructions, activities, and supplies, along with the two videos and the Zoom invitation link were shared the night before each club meeting. The format of the virtual 4-H club meeting was consistent with an in-person meeting. The meeting was called to order with roll call and the pledges, and there was a hands-on learning activity followed by discussion and reflection.
To date, Lauren has coordinated four virtual 4-H club meetings that have engaged 95 children, and 75% obtained the packets for their club meeting and over 45% participated in the virtual 4-H club meeting hosted via Zoom. It was important to Lauren that the 4-H’ers in Saluda County maintain an opportunity to grow and learn during this difficult time. Upon the conclusion of the March 2020 virtual 4-H club meetings, Lauren sought feedback from parents to assess potential improvements for April, including a time change that would be more conducive to participation. Saluda County 4-H and other Extension personnel across the state are working hard to “make the best better”, even in the midst of this unprecedented situation.
Contact lblack4@clemson.edu if you have any questions or would like additional information about the 4-H Virtual Club program.
Submitted by: Lauren Black-Venegas
Saluda County 4-H Agent
