Letter of the day: 4-H gives aimless kids some direction for their lives

The creative achievement of 4-H kids on display at the State Fair -- projects in automotives, implements, electronics, energy-saving technology, carpentry, clothing, quilting, geology, electronics, computers, art, writing, photography and history projects, animal husbandry, etc. -- is something that should be available to all young people. Let's face it -- sitting in class is pretty boring for many active kids. How much better to provide kids a buffet of after-school and weekend activities that engage and help them discover interests, abilities and achievement in a variety of areas. Tap a kid's interest in carpentry, and you can teach geometry; in writing, composition and public speaking; in sports, teamwork and leadership; in building and engineering, trigonometry. You get the idea. Give them actual projects to work on, and you will see a lot more achievement, motivation and interest in substantive, constructive topics and activities to replace the gaming, ganging and boredom-assuaging activities that kids now use to fill their after-school time. How great to discover or investigate something and write it up, build a cedar chest to take home, etc. RICHARD PATTEN, MINNEAPOLIS