On two separate evenings, 20 youth attended a 4-H Wood Science workshop and learned how to make a Giraffe Recipe Holder, made from pine, to keep, give as a gift and also exhibit at the Delaware State Fair.

4-H Volunteer Leader Clyde Mellin didn’t limit the activity to sanding, and drilling, however. Mr. Clyde felt it was important to add academics to the activity. Our youth didn’t seem to mind at all, learning the difference between evergreens, conifers and deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves), how to age wood by counting rings, how different trees produce wood, different grain characteristics and why certain woods are better to work with than others. Students also received a safety orientation where best practices were emphasized.

The activity, which took about two hours to complete, was an ideal setting for parents to work with their children and that included grandparents too! Students paid close attention to the instructions and the task at hand, and as the pictures show, both fun and concentration were the ingredients for the workshop! The parent-child partnership helps to foster the importance of teamwork. Our 4-H’ers left with a better understanding of wood science and a feeling of accomplishment as they took home a hand-made project that they could stain, paint or leave natural.

Special thanks to Andy Duvall for helping Mr. Mellin

Pictures by 4-H Leader Debbie Lagano