Many clubs active in Butler, Wayne celebrate 4-H week

“Find Your Spark” is the theme of this year’s National 4-H Week, being observed Oct. 3-9.

The theme celebrates the resilience of young people who have brought about significant innovations in agriculture and technology, said Lupita Fabregas, director of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development.

“In Missouri 4-H, we offer all youth the opportunity to find their spark.” Fabregas said.

Through a variety of educational programs, 4-H members choose their own paths to success, she said.

Among the 55,000 4-H members in Missouri are students involved from the Butler County 4-H Clubs at Neelyville, Rombauer and Qulin.

Neelyville 4-H Club, with leaders Curtis and Peggy Reinbott, has shooting sports for 8-18 year olds and they work with the Clover Kids 5-8 year olds doing arts and crafts.

About nine years ago, “my wife and I started working with 4-H because a lot of kids didn’t play ball or be involved in any sport,” CURTIS Reinbott said. “We started 4-H for that reason. A lot of our kids are underprivileged kids and literally, they have a good time. We try to teach them values.”

“We have archery and rifle. We shoot pellet rifles. My wife and I both are certified archery teachers, and I am in rifle,” Curtis Reinbott said. “We have all kinds of activities. We try to do a lot of things.”

They learn to cook and “we’re going do some woodworking this year,” he said. “We’re going to do some gardening and different things. We’ll have some art work. One of the teacher’s from Corning is an art teacher. We do the national duck stamps and they compete every year. We have had some win recognition.

“Our year starts in October, so we’re just rolling. We had our play day last Saturday and had a bouncy house.”

Neelyville school is allowing the club to meet the first and third Wednesdays at the Independence Church.

“The church lets us use a fellowship hall for our meetings,” he said. “The kids ride the bus there and we feed them a snack.”

The Neelyville club also takes one or two trips a year.

Reinbott said, “we have several volunteers. The sign-up period is from October on. Anyone who signs up between Oct. 3-9 gets a free 4-H T-shirt. Something important to comment on is if the kids are on Medicaid, their insurance company will pay their dues.”

Rombauer Rascals 4-H Club’s leader Betty Schalk said COVID has effected the club.

She wants the club to become active again, “with kids from the area, but no luck right now,” Schalk said. “My club was doing some fun things. Our best project was completing the community park in Rombauer. This summer we had no help, not even with the mowing. If you hear of any kids who are interested, let me know.”

Qulin Royal Riders 4-H Club leaders are Ed Flanigan, Phyllis Flanigan and Nancy Morse.

“The Royal Riders took many field trips, went to the 4-H Day with the Cardinals, and had two educational meetings per month during the school year,” Phyllis Flanigan said.

The club has not met since COVID but had Stuff the Bus this August at the Dollar General store to help with the Twin Rivers school supplies, Phyllis Flanigan said. Last year, 4-H did give out school supplies at the drive-through, one-day event.

“Before COVID, our club was involved in community projects, such as the Qulin Community Clean Up,” she said. “The club worked at the Qulin Homecoming in the Lions Club building and participated in the community parades and the Butler County Fair exhibits. We hope to continue with the club meetings and projects when COVID rates decrease.”

Wayne County has one active traditional 4-H Club, which meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of every month. Club leaders are Debbie Rhea, Teresa Montgomery and Kelly Burton.

To learn more about how to get involved, visit 4h.missouri.edu.