Those "basic" courses remain as popular as ever.

For example, cooking.

"We're seeing a huge enrollment in basic cooking," Hill said. "With both mom and dad working, no one has time to teach their children how to cook, so they take the class."

The classes are so popular, Hill said, that sometimes there are kids on waiting lists. "We had a huge surge in canning this year," she said. "It was very popular."

With its new emphasis on science and technology, 4-H has evolved to embrace today's youth culture.

But it hasn't forgotten its roots.

"Kids still need to learn about good nutrition and leadership and organizational skills," Hill said. "And that's what we're trying to do."

For this year and the next 100.

M. Scott Carter 366-3545 scarter@normantranscript.com