Bennett Youth Center (BYC) at Schofield Barracks has a very active 2008-2009 4-H year, with 8 clubs, enrolling more than 50 children. Clubs include Fine Arts, Music & Drama, Veterinary Science, Que Rico! Spanish Culture Club, Robotics, Photography, and Cloverbud Cooking Club. Some clubs, such as Vet Science and Que Rico were convened over a shorter period of time and other clubs such as Robotics have just started up after staff and leaders received training from 4-H Cooperative Extension.

Bennett Youth Center Cloverbuds learn how to make silly putty out of glue, dye and a secret ingredient.

4-H Extension staff have been really happy to visit the military 4-H sites, and during November 2008 spent some time with the Fine Arts club at BYC. Using 4-H curriculum, leader Shelby led her club through a "Pass the Sculpture" activity, where balls of clay are passed around a table with each youth sculpting for only a few minutes before passing it on. When everyone recieved their original tray back, Miss shelby asked the group how it felt to make something then pass it on to someone else. She also asked them to think about things that are better done as a group than alone, and how it felt to take someone else's clay and make something with it. The girls reported wanting "revenge" at first for someone "ruining" their sculpture, but then realized that they might be able to make something "better" than the last person and to focus on the tray in front of them instead of where "their" tray was on the table.

This was a fantastic 4-H club and activity. The enthusiasm and happiness on the girls' faces made it evident that they enjoyed coming to this group and each of them had a job/role to play.

Fine Arts 4-H club takes a break for a photo before starting "Pass the Sculpture"

In December 2008, the BYC Music & Drama club performed "Christmas Reunion" a comedic performance about what it might be like if traditional fairy tale characters had to go and meet Santa. The club was enthusiastic and performed to a crowd of parents and peers of over 40 people. They were joined by other groups from the center for songs and dancing for the holidays, themed "rockin' around the Christmas tree."

Coming up, BYC will be hosting an event in March for their clubs and other military clubs to come and explore the "Heart" of the 4-H clover leaf, with activities in music, theatre and drama.

Members of the Music & Drama club perform in holiday play, "Christmas Reunion"

For more information about military 4-H Club opportunities contact: military4-H@ctahr.hawaii.edu

For more information about 4-H Clubs at Bennett Youth Center contact Dalayna Chandler at dalayna.chandler@us.army.mil