CANTON, Ill. - The newly formed Fulton County Junior Master Naturalist 4-H SPIN club held their first meeting at Baker Recreation Center at Big Creek Park in Canton on January 16. A Special Interest club, also known as a SPIN Club, focuses on a specific project area. The Junior Master Naturalist 4-H Club is for youth ages 9 – 12 who enjoy playing outdoors and learning more about the natural world.
Topics for this club include:
- Wildlife of Illinois
- Fossils/Geology
- Climate Change & Weather
- Insects/Wildflowers/Trees
- Pond Explorers/Aquatics
- Camping Adventures
In special interest clubs, youth work on projects as a group to improve team-building and problem-solving skills. The January meeting led by club leaders Jenny Beal and Amanda Atchley, focused on Wildlife of Illinois. Club members learned about the different wildlife native to Illinois through hands on activities, a fun game called “Oh Deer”, and ended with a nature hike through Big Creek Park.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 23, at which club members will learn about Fossils and Geology. To find out more about this SPIN club, and other 4-H clubs in Fulton County, please contact 4-H program coordinator Krista Gray at kristakg@illinois.edu or call 309-547-3711 or go online to go.illinois.edu/JrMasterNaturalist.