[RP TownTalk] 4-H Club forming

[Arletta Gustafson]

Hello,

 

My name is Arletta Gustafson.  I am fairly new to the area.  I moved from
western Washington State in '05 and moved to Riverdale this past April.  I
am a 4-H leader and am trying to start a club for the youth of Riverdale
Park to learn about all kinds of animals including the care and feeding of,
origins, uses (in the case of farm or pack animals), and hopefully, anything
else they wish to learn.  I'd like to work community service projects and
such in as well.  The goal is for the kids to learn responsibility, empathy,
citizenship, and other important life skills that can lead to being a
productive citizen that can make contributions to his or her society.  

 

My biggest obstacle at this point is finding a location to meet.  I live
near Riverdale Elementary and would like to find a place nearby that is
easily accessible by the youth and is affordable (note: free or pretty darn
close).  Does anyone know of a safe place that might be open to this
activity?  I am unavailable until about 6 in the evening and on Saturdays.
I would like to have the meeting one evening a week or possibly on Sunday
afternoons.  In Washington State I used buildings of worship, community
centers, and various other building to set up clubs.  I have tried making
arrangements with the school but I am having difficulty getting through to
the administration and I've been told that if you use the school it needs to
be an afterschool program and not in the evening.

 

I'm also looking for speakers to talk about different animals.  I have
spoken with Dan at the pet store and will be speaking with my vet.  I'm also
going to try to get some volunteers from the zoo.  If anyone knows anyone
that specializes in animals of any kind I would love to be in touch with
them.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or need clarification.  I am a
leader through the UM-Cooperative Extension in PG County and have passed
background checks and also am employed at the national level with 4-H.

 

I just realized that you may not be familiar with 4-H.  I come from an
agricultural area so I grew up with it.  If you would like to know more
about what it is, please let me know.  I really believe in the program and
am happy to share.

 

Thanks!

 

Arletta Gustafson

Calvert Park Apartments

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