Future electricians, from left, Emri Rice, 11, and Darb Rice, 8, both of Lawrence, and Megann Lawrenz, 9, Lily Fursman, 9, and Anie Alsup, 10, all of Baldwin City, pay attention to instructions on how to put an electric lamp together. Area schools were out Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, and many 4-H'ers headed to the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds for Project Skill-a-thon, where they learned different 4-H skills.

When school is out, 4-H is in.

That’s the motto of the Head, Heart, Hands and Health organization and it was evident Monday during Project Skill-a-thon. Martin Luther King Jr. Day meant no school for Lawrence area students, but some children chose arts and crafts over more sleep and TV.

“The day teaches kids some different life skills that they may not normally get in a school setting,” said Emily Morehouse, 4H youth development agent.

The event gave children the opportunity to do a number of different hands-on activities. Some learned how to sew and make lamps, while others baked homemade bread.

Some students even got the chance to help train competition dogs.

The group is part of the Douglas County Extension Office, and the event was hosted at the county fairgrounds. The day gave students the chance to do something active on their day off and make some new friends in the process.

“It gives them a chance to be able to cooperate with their peers,” said Morehouse, “and gives them some different ideas and activities to do for their 4H projects throughout the year.”