Still Projects Helping Kids Find New Passions

ZANESVILLE, OH – The fair is a time for food, fun, animals, and skills that young kids can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

A side of 4 H many might not know about are the Still Projects, where kids take on things like cooking, photography, sewing, woodworking, or welding.

Jenny Strickler’s daughter chose to take a cooking project this year and shared how it went.

“My daughter took a first year cooking project this year and she really loved it!” Strickler said. “We learned a lot about different things in the kitchen, she was pretty excited to actually cook for us, so there’s a lot of cool stuff here that you can come and see.”

Stickler says still projects teach children just as much as the livestock ones and they could help to nurture a budding passion.

She says she’s seen some kids go very far with their projects, even so far as taking them into their professional careers.

“Just find one or two to start with and kind of get your feet wet.” Stickler said. “There’s a lot of really cool things, we have what’s called the Project Guide in 4 H so they can browse through the different things that are available or just get a good idea looking at this building and seeing what there is out there to do!”

This year’s Jr. Fair theme was “Rooted in Traditions for 250 Years” to help cap off America’s birthday. The fair is still going on for one more day. If you’re interested in checking out the Still Projects, they are located in the Veteran’s Complex.