The idea behind a new-4-H club that has started in this area is to lead kids through a variety of experiences, help them grow in the community and to teach them to interact with other kids.

   Clover Connections, started last October by club leaders Dane and Gina Gerdes, has seven members in the newly organized club.

   According to Dane Gerdes, the group has a club project and conducts a variety of activities.

   The project the club is working on is dogs.  Gerdes said there have been some meetings where the members brought their dogs and practiced with them.

   As part of the project, the members learn about care, obedience and the basics of how to teach the dogs as far as commands, such as come and sit.

   The club is involved in the Resources Conservation program and has conducted and planned activities for it.  Dane said the club is collecting cans for recycling and is in the process of getting a cleanup project underway.  Clover Connections also participated in the Tri-County Winter Fair at the Antioch Mall by setting up displays and having a pet snake.  Dane said the snake was used to demonstrate the difference between poisonous snakes and non-poisonous ones.

   Individual members also work on their own projects throughout the year.  Dane said the current projects being worked on include small engines, veterinary science and larger animals such as beef and horses.

   The club meets every three weeks on Sunday at the Gerdes home at 6:30 p.m.

   Dane said the meetings vary from informal to formal.  In the formal meetings, the leaders try to teach parliamentary procedure, voting and giving reports.  During informal meetings, the members get together and do demonstrations for each other or work with their dogs.

   According to Gina Gerdes, even the younger kids who aren't old enough to be members are involved in activities.  They are known as Clover kids.

Clover Connections members Willis Kirby and his dog, "Fries," play with Tiffany Wright and her dog, "Wolfie," before the meeting starts.  (Submitted photo)

   She said they are learning even though they can't show their projects or animals.  Most other clubs don't allow the younger children to participate.  One such activity was face painting.

   Dane feels the club is doing real well.

   "It's a small club in comparison to other clubs in the area," he said.  "That's good because we can keep track of the kids better.  The parents of the kids are wonderful to work with.  They get the kids involved in the activities we're doing."

   Yet, Dane said the biggest thing he and Gina want the kids to get out of it is fun.  He said at the conclusion of the year, the members have the opportunity to show their animals and projects as well as meet other 4-H members at the county fair.

   According to Gina, by being a leader she can implement some of the things she used to do when she was a kid.

   She said she is very open to suggestions and tries to get the parents to be involved with new ideas.

   If anyone is interested in joining Clover Connections, Gina said the open enrollment isn't until October.  However, if a kid would like, he/she can attend meetings and see what it is like.

   Joining can also be done through the County Extension Centers.  For more information, please contact Ray County Youth Specialist, Nancy Mense.

   Clover Connections is run by the kids holding officer positions.  The following are the club officers:  president Tiffany Wright, vice-president Jeane Temple, game and song leader Kasi Temple, treasurer Willis Kirby, secretary Samantha Bethards and historian/reporter Maggie Perry.

   Dane said the new membership drive for the club will start in August.

   Gina said, "The main benefit is we get to see the kids do the same things Dane and I did as kids.