Mother and daughter Bonnie Long (right) and Roxie Fromang (left) share a love for 4-H that has spanned decades. Together they are heading up a new 4-H Club in Rangely called Adventure Awaits. Courtesy Photo
Special to the Herald Times
RBC | 4-H is a youth development organization administered by Colorado State University and organized by the County Extension office. The newest non-profit club on the west side of Rio Blanco County is the Adventure Awaits 4-H Community Club. The club has been a goal for mother and daughter Bonnie Long and Roxie (Long) Fromang that came to fruition in 2023. Combined, the two have more than 50 years invested in the 4-H program in three different states, as alumni and volunteers. There is no program as near and dear to their hearts as Colorado 4-H.
Colorado 4-H is where Bonnie helped grow Roxie’s leadership skills. Her daughter was a 10-year 4-H member as a child, an active 4-H district/state officer, a 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus honoree, and eventually attended college on a full scholarship. Between Bonnie’s parental encouragement and ability to drive all over the state and the coaching talent of the long time Meeker 4-H Livestock Judging Coach Clint Shults, college scholarships rolled in for Roxie and her 4-H livestock judging teammates in high school as they became nationally competitive. All of these opportunities were made possible to Roxie through the 4-H program and its selfless volunteers. When Roxie left for college out of state, Bonnie turned her sights to other Rangely youth and began driving them to 4-H functions across Colorado and the United States.
Later, Bonnie served in the 4-H and FFA organizations in Pima County, Arizona. Roxie, now a mother herself with four children ranging in age from 20 down to 3-years-old, has been involved in the 4-H program for three decades, three-fourths of her life. She has served in many capacities on boards and committees, was the 4-H coordinator for Rio Blanco County CSU Extension in Rangely, and has been the organizer of many 4-H clubs and community events in Natrona County, Wyoming; Mesa County Colorado; and Rio Blanco County. To say the pair “bleed 4-H green and white” is an understatement. “Being a 4-H volunteer and giving back to this wonderful program that gave me so much as a child is as important to me as my faith and family,” Roxie said.
With the blessing of Moffat and Rio Blanco County CSU Extension offices, the club will include programming in both Dinosaur and Rangely.
“My mom and I have a special place in our hearts for at-risk children and children with special needs. My mom grew up in the foster care program, kids in those types of challenging situations and environments, the underserved and underprivileged children, need a village of caring adults empowering them. We believe in all young people’s potential. Access, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential elements of 4-H’s goals related to positive youth development and organizational sustainability. 4-H has been intentional in building an organization and culture of belonging by actively inviting the contributions and participation of all youth. We are incredibly excited to begin,” Roxie said.
Bonnie’s favorite aspects of 4-H are watching kids come out of their shells, developing lasting life skills, and the relationships members make with their leaders, mentors, community and peers. She is especially happy when 4-H alumni come back to enroll their own children in 4-H.
During the past several years of their 4-H volunteer work, Roxie and Bonnie have received input from families wanting to be involved with the program but unsure if they can afford to participate. “We are providing opportunity for all children,” Roxie said. “As more and more families are struggling to make ends meet, if the enrollment cost is an issue or a roadblock for a family, we are personally financing enrollment fees. We are also receiving some enrollment scholarship assistance from private donors to help get these kids started. There are loads of 4-H projects that are free or very low cost to complete. I love and grew up raising 4-H livestock projects, but those projects can be costly and unattainable for many families. 4-H offers so much more! Robotics, sportfishing, outdoor adventures, leadership, computer science, veterinary science, visual arts, and horseless horse projects are just some examples of low/no cost projects to get a child started in 4-H.”
No matter which project a child chooses, it is an opportunity that will teach practical knowledge and wisdom through observing, doing and living through experiences. To Roxie and Bonnie, the enrollment fee is a small price to pay to open a world of fun, learning and opportunity for local kids.
The Adventure Awaits Community Club boasts a full schedule of project time, community service activities, community event planning, field trips and good, old-fashioned fun. 4-H is a special pastime of many families, and these two leaders can’t wait to help your family and child find their niche in 4-H. The 4-H organization welcomes Cloverbud members or “pre-4-H” members, 5-7 years old. 4-H member age ranges from 8-18 years old. If you have questions about 4-H, or you or your business would like to contribute to help a child pay their 4-H enrollment fees you can speak with Rio Blanco County CSU Extension 4-H Agent Tonya Merz at 970-878-9490.
The Adventure Awaits 4-H Community Club is also accepting donations of lightly used camping, hiking and fishing equipment for their members, you can send them an email at [email protected] if you would like to help with any of those items.
