Programs for youth include 4H fun, Youth Collective, Discover YOUth and new ukulele and guitar lessons

Have you ever wondered about 4-H? It’s a long-running youth organization dedicated to encouraging participants to “Learn to Do by Doing.”

As the 4-H Ontario website explains, “For over a century, 4-H Ontario has built youth into leaders in their communities and positive contributors to the world…In 4-H, youth find a place they can be involved, accepted, valued and heard while developing valuable life skills in leadership, business, self-confidence and more.”

It’s perhaps most commonly known as an agricultural program, and you may have seen goats and other livestock from the local Prince Edward 4-H Association at the Picton Fair, but 4-H offers clubs that encompass many other topics as well.

Some of the recent clubs have included dairy, beef, and giant vegetable clubs, a pet club, plus innovative offerings such as “Go for the Gold”, a lively trivia-style game drawing from a range of sources such as 4-H project manuals, current events and local community organizations and leaders. Each club is unique and offers hands-on exploration and learning in a fun and engaging way.

The library was fortunate to be able to host an ongoing “Explore 4-H” program at the Picton Branch last year thanks to the Stark Family Fund through the Community Foundation of Kingston and Area. Participants tried everything from pickleball to line dancing, prepared snacks, voted for their club’s executive members, managed their own finances and more. All this under the gentle guidance of experienced and trained volunteers who help them achieve their goals and plans.

We’re so glad be able to share that thanks to Leaders Jane Thompson and Lynn Ward, we’ll be able to host a one-day Explore 4-H program at the Picton Branch Library this summer.

It will include many 4-H activities including animal care, gardening, sports, cooking and healthy eating, crafts, farm machinery and more.

For ages six to eight (as of Jan. 1) or, what 4-H calls “Cloverbuds”) join on Friday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ages nine to 12 can join from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It’s sure to be an engaging and interesting introduction to 4-H, and all are welcome – from experienced 4-H participants to new members. Please register by emailing janethompson1838@gmail.com and include the child’s name and age as of Jan. 1, 2025, any food or other allergies, and parent/caregiver name and phone number.

In other youth programs, we partner with the Greater Than Youth Collective for a summer series called “Youth Voices in Action: Leadership and Advocacy Labs.” The series will take place through July and August over 10 weeks, with each two-hour session covering a different topic, each designed to empower young leaders to shape inclusive, authentic communities. Participation can be counted as volunteer hours for the required 40 hours of community service needed for high school graduation. This is a great opportunity for youth to learn more about leading with a goal of encouraging them to become active participants in shaping their community. To register, visit peclibrary.org

Another youth group, the library’s long-running 2SLGBTQIA+ Discover YOUth group, has been meeting weekly through the school year and will be participating in Picton’s Pride Parade and Pride in the Park event June 28. An all-ages parade will start at noon at PECI, travel down Main Street and end at Delhi Park where the festival will happen. The Discover YOUth group has been busily preparing for the event, tie-dying t-shirts they’ll wear and more. Thanks to Greater Than as well as the Picton BIA for making the event possible. It’s always fun to see what the members of Discover YOUth come up with – this winter they worked together to build a scale model of the Picton Branch Library which was then on display at the Proudest Pony in Picton.

Two summer programs welcome everyone but may be of particular interest to youth. Every Thursday starting in July, you can learn to play the ukulele at the Picton Branch Library. Classes start at 5 p.m. and no prior experience is required. On Saturdays, starting July 5, learn to play the guitar, sessions starting at 3 p.m. Each program is free and best for ages 10 and up. Class size is limited to help make the series successful, so please register by calling (613) 476-5962 or at peclibrary.org. For both classes, you can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library’s Musical Instrument Lending Library collection.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The library will be participating in several upcoming community events including the annual Reading Round Up at the Macaulay Village Park on Thursday, July 24 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Amelia’s Birthday in Ameliasburgh on Saturday, Aug. 2 and more. Check the library website at peclibrary.org for more details or ask at any branch of the library.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
We’re delighted that the new gardens at the Picton Branch Library are now in place. We’re looking for some green thumbs to give them a little TLC. If you’re interested, please call Nick at (613) 476-5962 or email ea@peclibrary.org.