Area youth have benefited for years from community-based 4-H programs. Now, special interest clubs are being offered through 4-H, which bring children and families with common interests together.
“They are still a 4-H club, but they are out of the box,” said Mary Spahr, the University of Illinois Tazewell County Extension office’s regional youth development educator.
The extension office began offering the clubs this past spring. The name “SPIN” comes from special
interest, but Spahr said it is also a fitting name because the clubs offer something new and different.
“We pride ourselves on positive youth development,” Spahr said.
According to Spahr, the four essential elements of 4-H — belonging, independence, generosity and mastery — are upheld in the SPIN groups. Experiential learning, she added, is also a key to making 4-H clubs successful.
“When kids participate in our programs they will always be doing hands-on work,” she said.
While the SPIN Clubs are somewhat similar to traditional 4-H clubs, Spahr said there are differences as well.
SPIN Clubs focus on one particular interest or hobby. Members work with a caring adult volunteer with experience in the topic.
“They are for kids who have a strong interest in something specific,” Spahr said.
The clubs can also help to introduce children to a specific interest that they might not otherwise have the chance to explore.
SPIN Clubs have been developed that focus on robotics, sailing, performing arts and jewelry making. All that is needed to start a SPIN Club is five interested young people and an interested adult with experience who is willing to volunteer.
Spahr said a disc golf club in Washington is being planned. It should begin this fall.
There is a one-time fee of $20 per child for each year. Children ages 8 to 18 can belong to as many groups as they would like after the $20 fee is paid.
“We are able to open up topics of interest to kids who have never been able to participate in 4-H,” Spahr said.
Spahr said the groups allow participants to have independence, leadership and growth opportunities, belong to a group and learn and improve on a skill.
“It’s really wide open, and that’s what we think will be appealing to new kids,” she said. “The sky’s the limit as long as we can find an adult with the expertise and kids who want to learn about it.”
For more information on SPIN Clubs, visit the webpage at web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/spin, or contact the Tazewell County Extension office at 347-6614.
