Commitment of 4-H brings kids and their parents together at the Lycoming County Fair

"This is our vacation from work," said 4-H parent Linda Oberlin from Dushore, at the Lycoming County Fair this week. "Spending it here with the kids, and our day typically starts at 5:30 a.m. at the latest to late at night."

The 4-H organization is a commitment of time for kids who participate -- but also for the parents.

"Some of the commitment is what to buy and how much money to invest," said Larry Pittenger, of Montoursville, as he sat on a bench with his wife Kelly and son Case. "What you want to try and teach them, what path to go down -- you have to keep changing and progressing with the market, or else it just kind of dies away. That's one of the hard parts of teaching."

This year was Case's first year showing at the fair and he chose a Minihighland for his project.

"If the kids can't be there you have to take care of the animal," Larry said. "You have to support them when you're trying to teach them to do something. Then you also have to let them go through their own failures to learn the lessons. That's the purpose of what you're doing."

"It takes a lot. There's a lot of time that you have to set aside things that need attention. These aren't quick five minute little details that you do in the barn or at home. It's hours upon hours of setting things aside and taking care of the animals and training the animals, maintaining them. There are things you set aside and things get put off to work with them animals to get everything ready to prepare them to help prepare the kids." said Bill Harding of Muncy.

"I put in over 1,500 miles on the car between all of the traveling for livestock and horses and feeding and bedding and caring for the animals," said Shaunna Craig, from Orangeville, as she braided her 15 year-old daughter Kierran Craig's hair while preparing for her to show her goats.

"We're here all week," said Larissa Snyder, from Hughesville, holding her three goats while seated on a bench with family members. Larissa's daughter Ayva Burgett, 10, was showing the goats at the fair. "We take care of all the expenses for the animals. The paperwork we have to turn into the fair to be here, the food, and the show halters and getting ready, like their shampoo and their clipping needs -- and the price of the actual animals."

Despite the sacrifices and commitments that are needed to be made, these parents are very grateful to have their kids in 4H. They feel that it gives them the opportunity to learn life lessons that will help in adulthood.

"It's a great opportunity for the kids. It's not just about livestock. To me, 4H teaches kids responsibility and commitment because these animals are huge commitments." said Shelly Harding, of Muncy. "It also teaches parents patience. I had no idea the behind the scenes that my parents did. It really opened my eyes to what my parents provided me throughout my 4H years."

"I think it's important. I think, more kids should be involved in stuff like this, especially in today's world because I think if a lot more kids were involved in the daily, every day, every minute, a part of any of it even if it's not animals or other types of 4-H, I think the world would be a lot different place," said Craig as she finished the braid off in a ponytail.

Then, the mother-daughter duo headed towards the showing.

"I think it teaches a lot of really good life lessons. It's a lot of responsibility. We have to take ownership for your projects and see them through to completion. Outside of the project there are various activities that they do between community service and then we have public speaking from presentations and demonstrations with the clubs. That all adds up and builds life skills for when they become adults," said Ryan Aikey.

Unanimously, the parents expressed that having their kids in the 4-H organization made them feel proud.

"It's a very proud moment for any parent that has kids in that arena," said Shelly Harding.