Kicks Off in 2020!!
The Ohio Gourd Society is happy to announce a new program for youth.
The primary purpose is to educate our next generation on the history and use of gourds, to inspire them to grow and craft gourds, and to inform their peers about the joys of gourding!
This is not a contest, rather it is a program that rewards successful participation. In its inception (before covid), criteria included participation at the Ohio Gourd Show plus one more of OGS’s major events which currently include:
- “Spring Into Gourds” at Franklin Park Conservatory
- The Ohio State Fair
- “Ohio Gourd Show” at the Delaware County Fairgrounds – enter gourd competition (at least two entries) and make a brief speech at the
Gourd Awards Banquet and Dinner.
Update: In 2020, these criteria changed, but the OGS still had a successful Youth Participant: Mckenna H, sponsored by Vikkie Mustad. For her project, Mckenna created a fairy-house using a curved long-handled dipper gourd. She also labeled a collection of dried gourds with descriptors which were used in the Delaware Community Library display. In an interview for the OGS newsletter (Gourd Greetings) Mckenna says “Thank you OGS for the opportunity to participate in the Youth Program. I definitely will do it again next year!!!” A short video clip of Mckenna is loaded on the OGS (members only) website.
Details of the Youth Program:
✓ The program is open to young people, ages 5 – 18.
✓ Each young person will need a mentor, a parent or guardian, to guide them and
provide support (and transportation if needed).
✓ The program will require satisfactory participation in the Ohio Gourd Show and
one other OGS event.
✓ Each participant will be asked to give a brief speech at the Saturday night Gourd
Dinner describing their experience – what they did and what they learned. Poster
presentations are encouraged so the poster also can be displayed at the Show.
Dinner will be provided to youth free of charge.
✓ For successful completion, our young participants will receive a $50.00 monetary
award!
Contact Celia Roberts by email at nroberts3@woh.rr.com to enroll in the program. Please provide the name, address and contact information for the youth participant and the name, address and contact information for the mentor. There is no charge to enroll.