4-H Flash Newsletter

July 2008

Volume 3, Issue 6

Calendar

July 20-23 Maine 4H GIS Camp– Greenland Point Center

July 25– August 3 Bangor State Fair

August 26 Check in for Blue Hill Fair Exhibit Hall 3-7 p.m.

Aug 28 - Sept 1 Blue Hill Fair

Sept 1 Labor Day - Extension Office Closed

Sept 27 VOLT Training at Hancock County Ext. Office

 For a complete listing of what’s happening in 4-H  check out the 4-H Calendar  Page at: http://extension.umaine.edu/4h/calendar.htm.

4-H Gears, Pulleys and Wheels Camp

Campers ages six to nine spent three days exploring the world of gears, pulleys and wheels using Legos at a 4-H day camp program sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. In addition to building and learning about simple machines with the Legos, campers cooked with blueberries and did fun physical fitness activities each day. Youth leaders assisted in leading exercises.  In order to become a youth leader, the youth had to attend at least one year of camp as a camper and be at least 12 years of age.  Camps were held in Whitneyville, Cherryfield, Pleasant Point and Whiting.  In total, over 65 Washington County youth participated in this camping experience.

Colleen’s Corner

 I hope you all are enjoying your summer!  The weather has been a nice mix of hot days and cool nights.  I am still busy making plans for our participation in Perry Harvest Fair.  I would like to once again remind club leaders to please plan on a club display or banner at the least.  I would like every club represented at the fair so people can see that Washington County 4-H is alive and growing.  Also, I am still gathering names of 4-H alumnus in Washington County.  If you know of any, please encourage them to contact the office.  I would love to talk with them about volunteer opportunities, their history in 4-H and their ideas.  Finally, summer time brings forth many events and therefore deadlines... please keep track of these so as not to miss them.  Have a good summer!

Washington County Bulletin Board Items

 Use Your 4-H Participation Card - for free admission to 4-H Days at the Bangor State Fair on July 26. You also get free admission on August 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15th at the Skowhegan State Fair.

VOLT Training - There will be a VOLT (Volunteer Ongoing Leader Training) on Saturday, September 27, 2008, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Hancock County Extension Office. Please encourage anyone interested in 4-H to call the office for an application. This will give a volunteer the opportunity to start a club, assist a club, chaperone, or just gain more knowledge of 4-H.

What do you learn in VOLT?

☺ You learn about 4-H and UMCE

☺ You learn about starting and working with a club

☺ You learn about new opportunities and resources

☺ You learn different ways to teach life skills

☺ You learn about leadership and group work

☺ And you become a member of a national community of caring people who are   

     helping young people to reach their goals in life.

Blue Hill Fair Reminders - While planning for the 4-H exhibits (club and individual) please refer to the guidelines in the fair book. All questions regarding the 4-H Exhibit Hall should be directed to Methel Wilbur at 565-2308. Please call at least 2 weeks before the fair. All exhibits must be checked in on Tuesday, August 26th between 3 and 7 pm. Due to limited space in the hall, leaders are encouraged to bring the exhibits with completed paperwork.

 2008 Theme: Promote and advertise 4H in a way that will encourage new members to join your club.

Awards: Top three club exhibits will receive $35 each; $10 gratuity awarded to non-winners.

 Point System:

25 pt Theme - Does the exhibit clearly express one idea?

20 pt Originality - Was it creative and imaginative?

15 pt Exhibit Title - Is it creative and catchy? Is it prominently placed?

15 pt Lettering - Is it neat? Is it the appropriate size? Has use of color and placement been considered?

15 pt Size - Exhibit can not exceed 4’x4’. Can items/exhibit be recognized at a distance of 6 feet?

10 pt - Did the club supply a neatly printed 3”x 5” card which includes: club name, town and county on it. (This card will be displayed on the exhibit for the general public after the judging has occurred.)

 In Accordance with 4-H regulations in regards to Cloverbuds, 5 to 7 year olds will no longer receive premiums. They will receive a stipend of $1.50 for each exhibit put in the hall with a special ribbon to designate their work.

Club Updates

 4-H Volunteer Cheri Hudson updates that fun times are being had at EdGE Camps in Cherryfield with the 4-H Healthy Lifestyles activities.  The 4-H members have designed and built hula hoops and then created fun games to play with them. 

Maine State 4-H News

1. Volt Training Corner

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, VOLT training will be held in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. The training will take place from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Please bring your lunch, completed application forms, and a $5.00 fee for the notebook and materials. No one will be turned away for lack of money.

Location will usually be in Bangor at the Penobscot County Cooperative Extension office, 307 Maine Ave, but we may hold one in Piscataquis County in Dover if we have enough requests. So, register ahead of time by calling 942-7396 and speaking with Stacy (Barb, or Theresa).

2. 2008 Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum

The 2008 Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire from October 23-26, 2008. For more details, a promotional flyer is available on our website at: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4HVol/08NEVF.htm We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

3. 2008-2009 Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors Membership

The 2008-2009 Maine Association of Livestock Exhibitors membership form is now available on the 4-H website. Please note that when you send your form in you are signing up for a membership in the Association, one of the many benefits of a membership is insurance. For more information and access to the form, go to: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/webdocs/maleform.htm

4. Support the New England Horse Program

Be a proud supporter of New England 4-H Horse Program at Eastern States

Exposition by purchasing an ad for the 2008 New England 4-H Horse Program. Ads will be sold by 4-H Members who will be participating in the 4-H Horse Events and money raised will be put back into the New England 4-H Horse Program. Contact Sherri Thornton at wifie55@yahoo.com for more information.

5. Hone Outdoor Leadership Skills at Tanglewood

Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Lincolnville still has space available in their Leadership 2 Development Program, July 27 – August 15, and financial aid is still available for current members of a Maine 4-H club. The program offers campers ages 15-17 the opportunity to test leadership skills and learn to live off the land through an immersive eight-day backpacking trip that covers the entire length of the St. George watershed. Campers begin the journey at Frye Mountain in Montville and end at the Marshall Point lighthouse in Port Clyde. Many lessons are learned along the way, as each camper has his or her chance to lead the group for a day under the supervision and guidance of Tanglewood’s trip leaders, and make decisions that affect the group. Campers also learn about the natural history and human impact of the region from the land, local historians, fishermen and each other. For more information or to register for any of Tanglewood’s available programs call (207) 789-5868 or visit www.tanglewood4h.org

State 4-H Dairy Show

Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will be held at the Windsor Fairgrounds on July 19-20, 2008. It is open to all Maine 4-H Dairy members. You do not have to be trying out for Eastern States Exposition team to show.

The contest to choose the Fitting Team will begin at 6:00 pm on Saturday July 19. The team will consist of three members who must have been 12 years of age by January 1, 2008 and have completed one year in the dairy project. The Dairy Show will be held on Sunday and start at 10:00 am. See the website for more details. http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/dairy/statedairyshow.htm.

Bryant Pond 4-H Camp

AUGUST 8, 9, 10 ALL YOUTH ages 13-18

Cost - $30 (includes all meals)

Arrive 12:00 Noon Friday

Depart Sunday 1:00 pm

Registration DEADLINE – JULY 25

LEARN SURVIVAL SKILLS, PRIMITIVE TOOL MAKING, SWIMMING, WATER CRAFT SAFETY

Instructors: SGT Rick Campbell, Bryant Pond 4-H Camp staff. If you have questions:

• Call 4-H office at 1-800-287-1481 ask for Karen or Chris

• Call Karen 592-6980 or Donna 321-9023

Registration packet available: e-mail Karen at karenhg@umext.maine.edu

4-H, GOOD CHARACTER, AND SHOWING AT THE FAIR THIS SUMMER

Fair season is upon us and 4-H members are busy getting their projects, demonstrations and animals ready for exhibit. Making high quality exhibits or preparing a demonstration or an animal for showing takes a lot of time and patience. But also remember that you will be showing something else at the fair, your character.

One of the main reasons we go to fairs is to teach other people about the 4-H program. Learning about and using good character is one of the most important parts of the 4-H program, so all 4-H members are expected to “exhibit” the six pillars of character!

 ∗ Before you get to the fair, think about how you are going to prepare to exhibit yourself as a person of good character!

 ∗ A person who exhibits good character is trustworthy. Having your own animals for show, being where you say you’re going to be, returning what you borrow, and making sure that your market animals meet food safety standards are all ways you can show trustworthiness.

 ∗ A person of character is responsible. His or her animals have fresh water, food, and a clean space. Responsible 4-H members do not allow anyone to bother any animal for any reason, even as a joke. Responsible members make sure that their animals are under control and keep the public’s safety foremost in their minds.

 ∗ 4-H members of good character are respectful. They treat all other 4-H members, volunteers and parents politely. They answer questions respectfully even when they have heard the question 100 times already. Respectful behavior means treating judges and other fair officials courteously, accepting judges’ decisions gracefully, congratulating members who win classes, and managing to stay calm and positive when things don’t go their way.

 ∗ Fairness and caring should also be shown by 4-H members. Fairness requires that members do their own work and never submit anything as theirs that was not done by them. Fairness means following the rules and treating all fellow competitors as you want them to treat you. 4-H members show caring by sharing their knowledge and equipment with younger members. They do not engage in rough behavior where someone could get hurt. They do not pull pranks on other members of their exhibits.

 ∗ Finally, 4-H exhibitors show that they are good citizens. They are in their area when they are supposed to be there and help keep it neat and attractive. They are on time for shows and events, and they follow the 4-H rules of the fair.

 ∗ Every member should make sure what you “show” of yourself is blue ribbon quality!

Cooking with the Kids

 Berry Good Pops!

Quick and Easy Eat Well Recipe

1/2 cup cranberry, raspberry, or other 100% fruit juice or blend

1 cup low fat yogurt

1 cup berries (fresh or frozen blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries)

 1. Mix all ingredients together

2. Pour the mixture into 3-ounce paper cups. Cover the top of each cup with foil. Push a wooden popsicle stick down into the middle of each cup. The foil will hold the stick in place.

3. Put the cups on a cookie sheet and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.

When the popsicles are ready to eat, peel away the foil and paper cups and enjoy!

 Makes six popsicles. Cost per popsicle: 25 cents

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)  Phone Numbers 1-800-287-8957.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in any programs, please call the Hancock County Office at 1-800-287-1479 or Washington County Extension Office at 1-800-287-1542 to discuss your needs.  Please contact us at least 20 days prior to the event to assure the fullest possible attention to your needs.

University of Maine Nondiscrimination Statement

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals for diversity, the University of Maine system shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or citizenship status, age, disability or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University.  The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.  Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Employment Opportunities, 101 North Stevens, (207)581-1226.

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Last Modified: 08/06/08
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In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans' status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens, (207) 581-1226.

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