- Author: Claire Boone and Nadja Klem
Santa Rosa Valley 4-H is based out of Camarillo and meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa County Park or Santa Rosa Technology Magnet. The club leaders are Karen Ellrott and Jenny Willoughby.
Santa Rosa Valley 4-H is a fun and active club. We live by the 4-H pledge which says “I pledge - My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, My health to better living, For my club, my community my country, and my world."
We use our heads to focus on leadership and projects. Our club offers projects such as Leadership, Record Book, Camping and many animal projects such as Poultry, Swine, and Rabbit Project for show and market. Many members complete presentations. SRV 4-H members are looking to grow personally. Members increase their knowledge and become more responsible through projects.
We use our hearts to help other club members and the community. An example of this is the table setting that we put together at the Ventura County Fair. Our board team each shared ideas and each member contributed items to include on the table. We discussed the menu and made assignments. SRV 4-H is about sharing information and including everyone. We use our hearts to show loyalty, compassion, and caring.
In Santa Rosa Valley we use our hands for community service. We host and join many kinds of events to support our community. For example, one way we can appreciate our community is by cleaning up the trash on the California Coastal Cleanup Day. One day a year, our club helps clean up the Rancho Conejo Creek area in Simi Valley. Another way that we served the community was helping the many families who lost their homes from the Thomas Fire. Our club donated clothing, toys, and household items for the people in the shelters. We went to Build A Bear and collected donation to make stuffed bears for the children as well. We also supported other community service activities such as Operation Gratitude, where we made cards for the wonderful people fighting for our beautiful country. Our club makes Valentines for Seniors, and those were distributed with Seniors' Meals on Wheels lunches. During Spring, we colored placemats for the seniors to go with their cards. Since we wanted to help those in need in our community, we collect food for Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat during October. Many members went to Food Share and packed boxes for senior nutrition. Giving back to the community is very rewarding and an important part of the Santa Rosa Valley 4-H.
Living a healthy life is another part of the 4-H clover. In our club we learn about nutrition, and activities for a healthy lifestyle. Our club also learns how to do proper presentations. In some clubs you can also be a Healthy Living Officer. This is a person who models a healthy lifestyle and teaches the club through fun activities how to be healthier.
Santa Rosa Valley 4-H will help you find your spark and passion while developing skills for the future and having fun!