I often hear parents and community members mention that life skills once taught in school or learned from helping Mom or Grandma are missing in today’s youth. Skills like cooking, letter writing and sewing are often not practiced regularly in school or in the home.
This past week, the Family and Consumer Science program and Okaloosa County 4-H hosted a beginner's level Youth Sewing Day Camp. Participants ages 8 and up learned how to sew using a sewing machine and made two pillows to take home. By the end of the class, students were threading their machines, pivoting to sew corners, and back-stitching. Children also learned how to make a no-sew scarf.
Volunteers from the Santa Rosa County Home and Community Education Club helped teach the class. The kids left with smiles on their faces and asked when the next class would be held. Look for an upcoming day camp in summer 2017.
Jill Breslawski is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Students enjoy youth sewing camp