Kenton and Marnie Carlson were each in 4-H as youngsters growing up in North Dakota.

Aside from the projects - such as showing livestock, cooking and sewing - they saw it as a chance to meet new friends and learn responsibility, leadership and organizational skills.

More importantly, they had fun.

Their children have participated in Burleigh County 4-H clubs for the last five years. They are hoping Bailey, 14, Josie, 12, and Tanner, 8, have the same experiences, but also discover lifelong hobbies or careers.

From their home north of Bismarck along Highway 1804, the Carlson children have spent most of July working on numerous projects for this week's annual Burleigh County 4-H Fair. The fair runs Thursday through Sunday at the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds in east Bismarck.

The lists of projects are long for the older North Star 4-H Club members, Bailey and Josie. Tanner is in the younger Clover Bud Club and participates in the fair as a noncompetitor.

Bailey and Josie have entered in five to six categories each, ranging from beef livestock showing, to cooking jams and jellies, to scrapbooking.

Tanner is in the noncompetitive pet category of cats.

Kenton Carlson says they don't push their children to bring home blue ribbons. "We try to let them find what their own interests are."

By making 4-H fun at the regular club meetings and at home, the Carlsons have witnessed their children enjoy feeding and caring for their animals and taking pride in the work involved in their projects.

Marnie Carlson also says the projects have given them more opportunities to spend time together.

Bailey says 4-H has helped her learn skills on her own and also helped in her public speaking requirements for school. "I like going to the fair to get ideas. I see different things that look interesting that I can try. It's fun."

"Making the projects is more fun than showing them," Josie says. "That gets me really nervous (from the judging interviews)."

Josie says she likes the friendships she has found through the 4-H club and fairs.

Tanner, in his second year of 4-H, is already learning the family lineage of his pet cat, Pearl.

The Carlsons credit the dedicated North Star 4-H Club leaders and the variety of activities and educational projects for their children's continued enthusiasm in the club.

"They are with a group of kids with simular interests in the county and state. Being out in the country, there aren't neighborhood kids to play with," Marnie Carlson says. "I don't want them to be bored. This is a way to do things they like to do."