By Garrett Stack

The Herald Bulletin

ALEXANDRIA — 4-H has always had a unique mix of young people involved with the program, and a major part of the secret to its success has been getting kids interested at an early age.

Activities like Wednesday’s action demonstration at the Madison County 4-H Fair are designed to be fun for people of all ages, and to get the interest of kids too young to participate in organized 4-H.

“We are making bear book marks,” said Lindsey Kardatzke, a 14-year-old 4-H member. “In the past we have made party favors and greeting cards. They are usually fun activities that everyone can do.”

According to the action demonstration guidelines, an action demo is kind of like “show and tell” but with more action. It should be an activity that takes no more than five minutes to complete and that interests the general public.

“It’s a teachable moment,” said Beth Leonhard, a 4-H youth educator. “Everybody has enjoyed doing these activities over the years.”

Kardatzke, 14, is an aspiring middle school teacher who is in her sixth year in the 4-H program. She led anyone interested in making a bookmark through the step-by-step process.

“OK, now take the two little black dots and stick them inside the white dots,” she said to 7-year-old Makenah Bauer. “Now tie the bow on and you’re all finished.”

Makenah, with the help of her mother, Carrie, made several bookmarks for herself and others, all free of charge.

“I’m going to use them for my Junie B. Jones books,” she said with a grin, proudly displaying her newly made bears.

Although Makenah is too young to participate in 4-H just yet, she was very keen to try out the action demonstration and looked forward to participating in 4-H in the future.

“We don’t have any animals to show,” she said. “But I want to do cake decorating, photography, scrapbooking and sports.”

Carrie Bauer said the activities are a good way to have fun and to get her daughter interested in the 4-H program.

“The bears are cute,” she said. “This is the first time we’ve seen an activity like that here at the fair. I think it helps get the younger kids interested in 4-H.”