Rufus Stanley moved to Elmira in 1885 and by 1914, Rufus started 10 different clubs for boys and girls. The Foto-Rama Klub/Rambling Club was the first club developed in 1886. In 1889, he began personal trips to Cornell University to begin connections with the Agriculture School. 1891 he began major club work. The Omega Club was formed which brought youth to Stanley Woods, a farm he purchased in Golden Glow, NY. On the farm youth were supervised in farm work, made crates to sell, went hiking and camped.
From the Omega Club came The Achievement Club, the Achievement Club began award trips to Cornell, Albany and Washington D.C. Trips to Washington D.C started in 1905 where the youth visited the Department of Ag and even met President Theordore Roosevelt. Poultry Raising, bread making and home economics clubs were added with the help of Cornell University. With the Smith Lever Act, the Achievement Club was inducted as the first official 4-H Club in Chemung County. In 1914, Rufus Stanley was hired as one of the first 4-H Club Agents in the nation. Between 1915 and 1926 4-H programs saw rapid development. Rufus Stanley passed in 1926 at a reunion of 14 of his original, Rambling Club members.
Quote
“As far as vision, knowledge of youth, sincerity of purpose and effectiveness of program are concerned, I would rate him second to none of the worlds youth leaders of the 20th century.” – Hermann Viewegg, program Alumni
My 4-H Story
With the help of records held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County and the Chemung County Historical Society, we are able to develop an abbreviated statement of Rufus Stanleys own words about his work.
It happened this way. In my boyhood, I spent my Saturday afternoons in the fields and woods. So when I went to Elmira, NY in 1886, I naturally “took to the woods” the first Saturday afternoon with a group of boys I picked up in the Y.M.C.A where I worked as Secretary. I somehow enjoyed the fun as much as ever. I soon found out these boys from the city didn’t “know beans” and couldn’t do anything. We fixed up a workbench in a corner room and after school the boys would make things. The spirit of achievement in outdoor life soon took possession of the Rambling club. One thing was lacking. Work- real work I the soil. So I bought a farm offered work and play in a natural way for a few boys in 1901. From 1886 to 1924, 38 Club Years developed into the Omega Club, Achievement Club and many more. All were required to do work for the common good, which became the tie that bound them together in civic service. The basic purpose of home and cooperation in Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs (as formed by the Smith Lever Act) differentiates it from other organizations. Common home activities, dignified and vitalized, are fundamental and essential to the development of child life, and club activities provide social contacts which satisfy the group instincts with educational and economic values. I am proud of my work, especially the fine record made in Chemung County…..It is hard work, but I enjoy it. As you can see, I will be busy.
1909 Achievement Club member with their poultry project.
Boys playing in the river in Golden Glow NY at the Stanley Woods Farm.
Rufus Stanley shows boys around Washington D.C. in 1914.
Honors & Activities
Rufus Stanley began youth programs in Chemung County starting in the 1890’s.
In 1915, Mr. Stanley was hired by the Federal Government via O.H. Benson to promote and develop similar clubs.
Rufus worked with the Secretary of Agriculture William Jardine and arranged youth to meet President Calvin Coolidge in 1925. Here, the Department of Agriculture expressed how highly they regard the work done by Rufus in Chemung County and the Achievement club as “the first most prominent club in the entire Unites States to promote agriculture education for boys and girls.”
