Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County has launched a new program for area youth.
Through its 4-H program, CCE has launched its Spark Club program. Designed for youth ages 5-18, the club meetings, led by staff, will discuss a new subject and activity every month. Topics for the 2025-26 season include:
- Learning about the life cycle of plants and making a pressed leaf and flower lantern.
- Basic bird identification and using hand tools to make a bird feeder.
- Build code to run a Lego robot.
- Planting and growing your own edible herb garden.
Projects started at the Spark Club meetings can be entered into the county’s 2026 4-H youth fair and could win eligibility in the state fair.
Speaking on FLX Morning, 4-H Program Lead Sara Wagner said the clubs are designed to encourage participation from young people who aren’t normally involved in 4-H activities.
“I think this will be a great opportunity for kids who have been independent members of 4-H or who didn’t know how to get connected with the program before, because they can just come and get the 4-H experience without needing a lot of preparation or a lot of parental effort.”
The club is free and open to those ages 5-18. CCE asks those under the age of 14 to be accompanied by an adult. Attendees do not need to be enrolled in 4-H; however, enrollment is required for entering the youth fair.
Meetings will take place in Auburn and Moravia. In Auburn, the meetings will run from 5:30-6:30p on the third Tuesday of every month at CCE’s offices at 248 Grant Ave. In Moravia, meetings will take place from 4:00-5:00p on the third Thursday of every month at the Moravia Masonic Lodge at 64 S Main St.
While not required, registration is encouraged. Registration for the Auburn club can be done here. Registration for the Moravia club can be done here.
Frank Clarke of CCE also discussed the Spark Clubs on FLX Morning with Paul Szmal. You can listen to that interview below.
FLX MORNING PODCAST-Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County
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