Published: June 26, 2009 02:05 pm      

Pedal power in Clark County

Clark 4-H holds annual Bicycle Rodeo

Members of the Clark County 4-H program rounded up their bikes for the annual Bicycle Rodeo on Thursday evening at the 4-H Fairgrounds.

The event is a skills test and is one of the first events for the 2009 Clark County 4-H Fair, which will officially begin July 11. Children participating in the event ranged in age from prekindergarten to high school.

“[Through] this event, we try to teach bicycle safety,” said Bob Allen, who is the extension educator and 4-H youth developer for Clark County. “It gives kids a heads up on the importance of being safe and using safety equipment to reduce the number of [bicycle] accidents in neighborhoods throughout the summer.”

4-H is a youth development and education program which strives to build positive characteristics in its members. Many of the participants at the rodeo had parents who were involved as youth and who wanted to involve their children as well.

“[Through 4-H] they learn things they wouldn’t normally learn in school,” Tracy Miller said.

Miller’s daughter, Rachel, has been involved with the program for a year.

“The activities are a part of a bigger picture. [The kids] learn things about life,” she said.

Her daughter enjoys being involved with the program and the Bicycle Rodeo event.

“It’s fun to do the obstacle course,” she said.

Rebecca Smitson was active in 4-H for 10 years and felt that it was important to involve her own children.

“The projects the kids can get involved with teach them responsibility,” she said.

The Bicycle Rodeo is just one of several different activities members can participate in. Children are encouraged to select a subject that interests them — from animals to an assortment of different crafts — and develop a project based off of those interests. They complete the projects on their own and have the chance to present them at the annual fair.

“4-H is a good way to get the whole family involved,” Smitson said. “Adults can be leaders while the kids learn from their projects.”

There are four categories for children participating in the 4-H program, the Explorers and Minis being the youngest while the Junior and Senior groups are upper elementary through high school.

While the younger groups all received ribbons in the bicycle event just for completion, the older set competed for a chance to travel to the state 4-H Fair competition.

Lindon Dodd serves as the 4-H school enrichment coordinator and program assistant.

“4-H gets kids involved to give back to the community,” he said.

His son, Cameron, has been involved with the program for three years. Dodd said that 4-H makes every effort to provide for the kids who are members, offering more than 90 projects for them to get involved in as well as providing financial support for them.

“You get out of it what you put in,” Dodd said.

His son, a senior in 4-H, felt he had gained a great deal from his involvement.

“I started 4-H in sixth grade,” Cameron Dodd said. “I believe [it’s] a good program that gives you good leadership qualities.”



4-H hosting day camp Tuesday

• Clark County 4-H will host a day camp Tuesday for children in kindergarten through second grade. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the food center at the 4-H Fairgrounds along Ind. 62 in Charlestown. The cost is $10.

Call 812-256-4591 for more information.

— Contributed



So you know

• The Clark County 4-H Fair runs from July 11-18 at the fairgrounds in Charlestown. Carnival ride and food stand dates are July 13-18.

Visit www.clarkcounty4h.com for a schedule of events or more information. The phone number is 812-256-4591.



Cornhole, horseshoe tourneys this weekend

The Clark County 4-H championship cornhole tournament will begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Clark County

4-H Fairgrounds, 9608 Ind. 62, Charlestown.

Doubles and singles tournaments will be held with registration from 10 a.m. to noon. The format is best two of three games, with loser going to a single-elimination bracket. The entry fee is $30 for a doubles team and $10 for individual competitors.

There will also be a Clark County 4-H championship horseshoe tournament at noon Sunday at the fairgrounds.

Entry fee for the horseshoe tournament is $10. For more information on either of the tournaments, call 812-256-9458.

— Contributed