4-H begins preparations for their centennial

Times Reporter

 

An early centennial celebration took place for 4-H Canada members at the Calgary Stampede grounds on July 13. The upcoming milestone will be in 2013, and it affects 4-H clubs across Canada, including the eight clubs in the Strathmore area. 

“In 2013 it’s a great opportunity for us to say we’ve been around for 100 years, but what we’re really getting excited about is what the next 100 years has in store for the 4-H program in Canada,” said Ken Lancastle, communications and marketing manager Canadian 4-H Council and Canadian 4-H Foundation.

Enbridge Inc. announced their partnership with 4-H Canada at the Stampede grounds, which includes committing $260,000 to help support the centennial celebrations. 

“Our pipelines go through a lot of rural communities in Canada and the 4-H Clubs are such an important part of those communities. Supporting 4-H is really an opportunity for us to contribute to helping young Canadians achieve their full potential,” said D’Arcy Levesque, Vice president Public and government affairs Enbridge. 

“Our excitement level is through the roof right now. We’ve been talking about this for five years now about what 2013 is going to have in store. It’s two years away…we’re just so excited, and what a better place to do it than the Calgary Stampede,” said Lancastle.

He said there will be celebrations across Canada, and they are planning a gala in the middle of 2013. 4-H Canada is also working on an international conference. They are trying to bring people in from around the world to the conference in Olds, AB.

“What we’re really trying to do is get the word out that this is a big celebration, the dreaming is big right now and we can’t wait to get it started,” said Lancastle.