How Do You Keep Them Down on the Farm?

"A New Look at Recreation in Rural Areas"

by Betty Geyer

Rural populations are dwindling in many areas of the United States due to farm consolidation, agri-business management processes and high costs of initiating a farm business. Most men acquire a farm through family connections or work for others as a farm manager on land owned by absentee landlords.

Recreation in rural areas is more of a challenge than it is in urban areas. Theaters, recreational centers, and special programs are not as readily accessible to the rural resident.

One of the important facets of the Cooperative Extension Service 4-H and youth program is RECREATION. The 4-H program provides an outlet for both youth and adults, and includes members from 8 to 19 with both junior and adult volunteer leaders.

Community projects, volunteer programs and community recreation are all promoted within the framework of the 4-H program. Craft projects, shows and fairs are included with the traditional cooking, sewing, and animal projects.

Manuals and special instructions are available for projects such as nature craft, carving and casting, ceramics, printing, leather craft, metal craft, design, weaving, stitchery, sketching, drawing, mosaics, cartooning and woodworking. These hobby projects provide an opportunity for lifetime hobby interests.

Young people learn and master skills, achieve success and recognition for their ability and effort. They can improve their creative ability by experimenting with materials and techniques. They can also learn about related careers for future work.

Many individuals today have a daily job and earn supplementary income from hobby projects. Many of the 4-H projects are ideal for part-time occupations or for retired senior citizens. The retirees are often utilized in teaching situations with the 4-H young people to their mutual benefit.

Sport project manuals are also included in the 4-H program for golf, bowling, roller skating, snowmobiling, bicycling, and a variety of camera and photography projects, as it is difficult to find formal instruction for these activities in small or rural communities.

The bicycling projects include three units "Your Bike and You," "Maintaining Your Bicycle," "Enlarging your Cycling World." Many of the county organizations also sponsor a physical fitness fun day at a local park where the members can participate in contests of skill with others of their own age.

Nature projects include rock club activities, bird study projects, cat and dog care, dog training and conservation projects such as wild-life and soil and water conservation. Games and other recreation are part of the programs at local, county, district, state meetings and camps. "Share the Fun" is a special recreational activity whereby the members write, direct and costume entertaining skits. The county winners attend the Illinois State Fair and compete against other clubs around the state. One sure way of learning all these skills is to become a 4-H leader and practice the activities with a lively group of young people.

The opportunity to select, plan and lead recreational activities aids the 4-H member in learning social skills to be utilized throughout his or her lifetime. Opportunities for leadership are available to all members willing to accept the responsibilities. The members are expected to do regular demonstrations and become confident in accepting leadership roles. Summer camps, state and national conferences extend the horizons of the individual members and leaders beyond their local areas.

The 4-H programs have been extended to include urban 4-H, short term projects for special interest groups and volunteer programs with a variety of helping agencies. Do Check with your local Cooperative Extension office to see how you can cooperate with a variety of recreational programs in your area. You may have a "gold mine" of talent in your own "back yard" in the form of responsible and resourceful junior leaders.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 19 January/February, 1975