But the club members didn’t do it all by themselves. Becky Aquino, of Humboldt, is a parent and 4-H volunteer. Her daughters, Bianca, 13, and Bellah, 11, are in the Johnson Jaguars club.

“About three years ago they were in need of some help, so I decided to step up and help,” Aquino said. “They just needed another leader so they could have adequate leadership in the group. I co-lead with another parent (Heather Wittrock).”

Aquino is just one of 70 volunteers in Webster County who serve in many roles, including club leaders, project leaders, and committee members for the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Aquino, who works as a physical therapy assistant at the Manson Good Samaritan Home, said she just helps facilitate the ideas of the club members.

“The kids really drive the group,” she said. “They come up with community service projects or events or guest speakers and I help make that happen.”

She said earlier in the year, the group wanted to learn about photography.

“We had Hans Madsen Zoom into our club and talk to our group about photography,” she said, referring to a Dayton photographer.

Another goal was to complete a community service project.

“We got ahold of Kennedy Park and helped a few weeks ago,” Aquino said. “We cleaned the playscape up and laid mulch.”

There’s about 31 members, from fourth-grade to seniors in high school, that are in the Johnson Jaguars club.

“They become friends as a group,” Aquino said. “It doesn’t matter what school you go to or what age you are. The older kids will take the younger ones in and show them the way.”

Aquino also helps with the Webster County Fair.

“A lot of the information comes from the (Iowa State University) Extension Office and then I just pass it on to our club,” she said. “Individual projects, animal projects, archery. There’s all sorts of different projects.”

Her daughter Bianca likes sewing, baking and photography. Bellah likes woodworking and baking.

Aquino said 4-H allows youth to try something new.

“I like it when the kids get to try new things,” she said. “At our last meeting last weekend we built bird houses for nursing homes. The kids were proud. They were smiling; they were proud they put that together. The other parents stepped up and helped too.”

In all, the club made 16 bird houses.

Another aspect of 4-H is learning social skills.

“There’s a lot of life skills — interviewing, face-to-face talking,” Aquino said. “That’s a big part of 4-H. And watching them grow from year to year is a joy.”

Those interested in joining the team of Extension 4-H volunteers are invited to contact the Webster County Extension Office at 515-576-2119 or lindsayk@iastate.edu.