MSU Extension 4-H

The end of 2024 wrapped up a milestone year for the Trap Rock 4-H Club in Houghton County. Though the formal incorporation paperwork has long been lost to time, the club celebrated 2024 as their centennial year.

“My mom, was a member of the original early club,” said Joan Dostaler, current leader of the Trap Rock 4-H Club. “I know she joined in 1924 when she was nine years old, so it has been at least 100 years.”

Statewide, Michigan 4-H was launched in 1908, only six years behind the national launch of the program in 1902. Since then, 4-H has grown into a national movement, helping youth not only develop practical skills, but also fostering a sense of responsibility and community service. Now the largest youth development organization in the U.S., 4-H is committed to empowering youth with skills to become successful and engaged citizens. In its 100-year history, it is no doubt that Trap Rock 4-H has helped to create many successful and engaged citizens of their own, with former members going on to be teachers, business owners, military heroes and more.

“While there is no official documentation, we can be certain that very few Michigan 4-H clubs can boast 100 years of existence,” said Jodi Schulz, state leader for Michigan 4-H and co-director of children and youth programs for Michigan State University Extension, which is home to Michigan 4-H. “It’s an amazing accomplishment and we congratulate Trap Rock 4-H on this milestone.”

Dostaler herself is among the many youth who got their start with the Trap Rock 4-H Club. After her mom, Nora, grew up and aged out of the club, she remained engaged with Trap Rock 4-H as a 4-H leader, making the club a part of Dostaler’s story from the day she was born; first as the daughter of the club leader, then as a youth member and later as a volunteer herself. The club remained a family commitment for both, with Nora continuing to volunteer with the club until she passed away in 1991 and Dostaler remaining involved today, at the age of 82.

“My mom would learn right along with the kids if she didn't already know something, and I am still learning along with the kids!” said Dostaler. In fact, this lifelong commitment to 4-H helped spur Dostaler’s induction in the 4-H Emerald Clover Society, Michigan’s 4-H Hall of Fame, in 2012.

A look through the years

Although a lot has changed over 100 years, many things have gone unscathed by the hands of time. Trap Rock 4-H Club started as a place for young people to build friendships, foster responsibility and learn valuable skills to carry along throughout their life – and remains so today. Moreover, the club retains an ongoing and strong commitment to community service. In the early years, the club hosted small-scale road cleanups in Traprock Valley; today the club continues to participate in an annual three-mile cleanup along M-26 through the Adopt-a-Highway Program. Since 1976, they have hosted holiday parties for senior centers, creating gifts and much anticipated celebratory events several times throughout the year. In addition, the club has made cards for veterans, hosted food and toy drives, donated to the local Humane Society, filled boxes for Samaritan’s Purse and so much more.

While focused on community service, the Trap Rock 4-H Club also offered their club members many opportunities to pursue different projects and programs, ranging from musical performances to laying hens! Through their meetings, youth have enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing, cooking, canning, watercolor painting, and gardening, among other things.

“I encourage each member to pursue their passions, whatever they are,” explained Dostaler. “Our club has always had the vision that anything the members wanted to try, we would be willing to pursue. Many years ago, we tried to list all the projects our club had worked on. We came up with several hundred!”

Dostaler’s astute list-making and record-keeping skills, which she no doubt learned in 4-H, have also led to a log she maintains of former Trap Rock Club 4-H’ers. Currently, the list boasts more than 800 names which have gone on to become engineers, computer experts, business owners, medical professionals and more.

“I still receive notes, letters, emails and texts from former members and leaders who remember their 4-H years fondly,” shared Dostaler.

To mark their 100th anniversary, Trap Rock 4-H Club had a special exhibit at the Houghton County Fair this past year. The exhibit showcased the many milestones, accomplishments, and events the club has been involved with and the amazing legacy that is leaves to those 4-H’ers who will join the club in the next 100 years.

“I would love for the club to continue to exist when I am no longer able to be involved,” said Dostaler.

To learn more about joining the Trap Rock 4-H Club, contact the Houghton County MSU Extension office. To learn more about joining 4-H in your community as a youth member or volunteer, visit the Michigan 4-H website.