Kettunen Center: 50 years of training 4-H volunteers

This year, 2011, marks the 50th anniversary of Kettunen Center.

Kettunen Center opened in May 1961 as the first 4-H volunteer training center in the nation. The center was a dream of A.G. Kettunen, Michigan's state 4-H leader from 1925 to 1956. He envisioned a site where 4-H could grow through the training of its volunteers and members.

In 1956, four years after the Michigan 4-H Foundation was incorporated, the foundation purchased property in rural Osceola County. Later that year, the foundation launched its first major fundraising campaign to construct “Camp Kett,” renamed “Kettunen Center” in 1972. Although A.G. Kettunen died in 1959 and did not see his dream made real, the center continues to bear his name.

The center has been through two major renovations. The first, Kettunen Center Improvement Project, resulted in the construction of an earth-sheltered house for the Kettunen Center director in 1980. Vision 2021 resulted in the addition of the Mawby Learning Center and Red Oak Hall, renovations to Aspen and Birch lodges, and new dining and administration facilities.

4-H volunteers have been attending 4-H workshops at Kettunen Center for half a century.

Each year a variety of 4-H workshops serve approximately 1,800 4-H teen and adult volunteers. Donors to the Michigan 4-H Foundation make it possible to cover 60 percent of the cost for 4-H volunteers to attend 4-H workshops.

Each of this year’s 4-H workshops has an entrepreneurship focus provided by a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Several new 4-H workshops were launched this year including the 4-H Science Workshop, 4-H Entrepreneurship Workshop and the 4-H Recreation Leadership and Camp Counselor Workshop.

The high level of excellence that A.G. Kettunen established for Michigan 4-H continues today through the 4-H volunteer training that takes place at Kettunen Center.

A special thanks to the 2010-11 4-H workshop sponsors:

• Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
• American Dairy Association of Michigan
• Country Fresh, Inc.
• Dart Foundation
• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
• Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation
• Michigan Electric Cooperative Association
• Michigan Milk Producers Association
• Michigan Pork Producers Association

Originally published in the Winter 2011 issue of Vantage.

New in 2011: Feed the Need Project

Kettunen Center is teaming up with Cadillac Area OASIS/Family Resource Center in 2011 to help feed the need.

OASIS/Family Resource Center is a private, non-profit community-based agency serving Wexford and Missaukee counties that exists to strengthen and safeguard the families of our area.

Founded in 1984, OASIS is a comprehensive domestic violence services program providing residential shelter and advocacy as well as non-residential counseling, advocacy and support services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness.

We are asking all Kettunen Center guests to donate one non-perishable food item or paper product. All items may be dropped off at the main entrance in the totes provided. Kettunen Center staff will deliver all donated items to the Cadillac Area OASIS/Family Resource Center.

Items could include, but are not limited to:
• Canned fruit or canned vegetables
• Canned Meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)
• Canned & Boxed Meals (soup, chili, stew, macaroni & cheese)
• Cereal (low sugar, high fiber)
• Peanut Butter
• Pasta & Rice
• Paper products (Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels)

If you will be making a donation by check, please make checks payable to Cadillac Area OASIS/Family Resource Center.

We would like to have 1,500 items donated in 2011, please help us reach that goal!

Connecting Preschool and Head Start Children to the Outdoors

Kettunen Center received a Great Parents Great Start grant in 2009 and again in 2010 that launched a series of innovative and exciting workshops, programs and partnerships for getting local kids ages 3-5 and their parents outdoors learning about nature. Project WILD’s Growing Up WILD and Project Learning Tree’s Early Learner educator workshops were held this fall and winter. Kettunen Center staff along with local preschool and Head Start teachers from Tustin, Leroy, Luther, Marion and Mesick attended the workshops and received two activity guides filled with age-appropriate, researched based lessons for use in the classroom and Kettunen Center outdoor programs.

In December, the Kettunen Center staff visited all the schools to set up bird feeding stations and involve the children in hands-on activities such as Habitat Hunt and Who Am I? This year, multiple one-day field trips are scheduled at Kettunen Center for the children to experience the outdoors all four seasons.

The workshops and field trips were funded by the Early Read First Program of Wexford Missaukee Intermediate School District and the Osceola County Community Foundation. The Pine River Chapter of Audubon also had an interest in early learners, and donated the book, Wild About Michigan Birds by Adele Porter, for each classroom and Wild Birds Unlimited of Traverse City provided discounts for bird feeders & seed. Andrea Grix, Kettunen Center Education Program Coordinator, is hopeful the success of these programs will lead to additional grants to expand the program.

Kettunen Center appreciates all the funding and donations in support of 171 local preschool children and their parents for the purpose of learning and connecting with the outdoors!

December is a Time to Give

This past year, Kettunen Center has been fortunate to have Bob Patterson, from Patterson's Flowers volunteer as a decorations consultant. Bob has worked with the 4-H Foundation and Kettunen Center staff to plan and refine our seasonal decorations with a theme of "natural yet elegant". He has volunteered at Breakfast with Santa since it began 29 years ago. Bob has served as a Michigan 4-H Foundation trustee and as a 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp co-director.

Bob's parents started Patterson's Flowers in 1952 and he has been working full time at the shops since 1979. They have stores in Reed City, Big Rapids and Cadillac. These photos show some of the arrangements Bob has donated to Kettunen Center.

Bob was born and raised in Reed City and has lived in the Osceola/Mecosta county area his entire life. The flower business has many "peaks and valleys" – the holiday seasons are very busy. The months of February, April, May and December are peak months in the floral industry.

Bob's favorite decorating tip? "Don't under estimate the amount of lights it takes to decorate your Christmas tree. Plan on at least 100 lights per foot of your tree height," he says.
Thank you Bob for all your dedication and support of Kettunen Center.

If you are interested in volunteering your talents at Kettunen Center, please contact Andrea Grix. For information about donating to Kettunen Center, visit http://www.mi4hfdtn.org/givetokett.html.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Kettunen Center had its 29th annual Breakfast with Santa Sat., Dec. 11, 2010. It is a one of a kind community-oriented event. We had over 750 people in just a little over 3 hours; 393 of them being children ranging from newborn to 14 years. The children were able eat breakfast, listen to storytelling, make a postcard stamp, do a craft, get their face painted, and most importantly talk with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children also learned – thanks to Ms. Claus – Santa’s favorite cookie. Each child received a gift bag with age-appropriate books and toys.

Breakfast with Santa is not just about the toy, it is about memories. Some families have been coming since the beginning, and some bring new additions – infants only a week or a couple months old – to share in the memories and traditions they create at Kettunen Center. It is a day filled with fun, excitement, joy, and sometimes even a little shyness.

Kettunen Center’s Breakfast with Santa could not be possible if it wasn’t for our many generous donors from local businesses and all of our adult and teen volunteers. Another successful “BWS” in the books! Kettunen Center’s 30th annual Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2011. See you then!

Paving the Way to Kett!

There is no doubt that people who have had the opportunity to discover, explore and grow as a result of training, workshop, and/or retreat experiences at Kettunen Center have appreciated the natural learning environment created by the lakefront, wetlands, forest lands, accommodations and food. But, if there is one complaint that we hear consistently - despite all the good - it is that we need to fix the road that provides the main entry and exit to the center.

This fall something exciting is happening at Kettunen Center. Thanks to our friends that have made donations we are able to pave 4-H Drive up to 145th Avenue. The project is scheduled to be completed by November 1, 2010, so the next time you visit us, you should have a much smoother entry.

Donations are still needed to fulfill the entire financial commitment. If you would like to help, please contact Jamie for a "Pave the Way to Kett" donation form.

Paving the Way Fundraiser!
Footliters Dinner Theater
October 10, 2010
"Angel Street"

Mark your calendar! What a better way to help Kettunen Center pave the road! Join us October 10th for a Footliters production of "Angel Street," a Victorian thriller. A reception will begin at 4:45 p.m., followed by a delicious buffet dinner at 5:00 p.m. and then the play will begin at 6:30 p.m. A significant portion of the proceeds will go to the "Pave the Way to Kett" fund.