Ages 12 and up
Check out all of the available workshops for youth ages 12 and up.
4-H Summer Learning 2026 Kickoff
- Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 am
- Open to all youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 30 attendees
Welcome to the exciting kickoff session of our 4-H Summer Learning 2026! This first gathering is all about setting the stage for a fun, engaging, and successful summer of learning together-virtually. Whether you’re new to Zoom or a seasoned pro, we’ll help you become a confident 4-H Summer Learning participant.
We will get to know each other: Meet fellow 4-H members you’ll see throughout the summer. Share a bit about yourself and discover fun facts about others.
We will use interactive breakout rooms: Join small groups to answer fun icebreaker questions and connect more personally.
Join us to kick off your 4-H Summer Learning adventure with energy, new friends, and skills that will make this summer unforgettable! Register by June 23.
The Brainy Bunch
- July 27, 29, and 31
- 2:00 – 3:30 pm
- Open to all youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 12 attendees
The Brainy Bunch is a fun, hands-on workshop where kids explore how their amazing brains work! Together we’ll learn about the brain’s structure and functions, like how different parts help us think, move, and feel. We’ll also discover neurons, the tiny cells that send messages through the nervous system. Through interactive activities and simple demonstrations, kids will see how these signals travel and help the body respond to the world. The workshop also introduces neuroplasticity, showing how the brain can grow and change when we practice new skills, make mistakes, and keep learning—helping kids build confidence while understanding just how powerful their brains really are. Register by July 13.
Please note this series overlaps with Mission to Mars, and Intro to Game Lab.
Brine Shrimpalooza
- July 29, and 31, and August 5
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Open to all Maine youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 8 attendees
Dive into the wonderful world of miniature marine critters! Brine shrimp (also known as Artemia) are small marine crustaceans usually used as fish food, for research, or kept as pets. With this hands-on activity, youth will learn about the life cycle, hatching, and growing process of brine shrimp, alongside a 4-H mentor.
This workshop is great for youth ready to commit to caring for a low-maintenance pet. The process will take about a month to complete, and will involve 2 hours of care per week.
Youth will need:
- Power access (2 outlets needed)
- Water access
- A window or place to keep your tank in as much direct sunlight as possible
- A towel
Register by June 22.
Digital Storytelling
- July 14 and 16
- 9:00 – 10:15 am
- Open to Maine youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 10 attendees
Ready to turn your phone into a movie studio? In this two-session virtual workshop, you’ll move beyond the “selfie” and learn how professional directors use camera secrets to tell powerful stories. Whether you want to be a YouTuber, a filmmaker, or just share your ideas with the world, this is where you start!
Over two interactive Zoom sessions, you will master the Rule of Thirds to frame cinematic shots and use a professional 60-second storyboard (Hook, Evidence, and Takeaway) to answer the ultimate question: “What brings you joy?” To participate, just plan to have a smartphone and a pencil; we’ll provide the rest of the materials you need to transform your ideas into a polished digital production. Register by June 30.
Please note: this workshop overlaps with Ag Explorers, and the Self Discovery Lab.
Dissect and Detect: Nature’s Mysteries Revealed
- Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, and 30
- 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
- Open to all youth ages 9 & up
- Maximum 15 attendees
Get ready to dive into the hidden world of nature! In this hands-on virtual workshop for ages 9 and up, you’ll explore the amazing structures and secrets of life by dissecting owl pellets, squid, and flowers — all from your own home. We’ll send you everything you need, including supplies for fun crafts that connect art and science. Along the way, you’ll use real scientific tools, make observations like a biologist, ask creative questions like an engineer, and share discoveries like an artist. Join us for an exciting STEAM adventure where you’ll dissect, detect, and uncover the mysteries of how living things are built! Register by June 19.
Intro to Game Lab
- Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, and August 5
- 3:00 – 5:00 pm
- Open to all youth ages 12 and up
- Maximum 10 attendees
Ready to stop playing games and start making them? Dive into the world of game design as you transform your ideas into interactive animations, game mechanics, and design within Game Lab. Led by Tyler Technologies’ Maine App Challenge industry experts and 4-H, you’ll master core programming concepts while learning to solve problems like a professional developer. Emphasis is placed on logical thinking, debugging strategies, and structured development practices. By the end, you’ll design, build, and show off a completely original game of your own creation.
Participants will need access to a computer and be required to create a code.org login. Devices need to be one per participant (sharing a device is not advisable for this session). Tablets and mobile devices do not work with this platform. Register by June 28.
Please note this series overlaps with Level Up: Adulting 101 and The Brainy Bunch.
Level Up: Adulting 101
- Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29
- 3:30 – 5:00 pm
- Open to all Maine youth ages 12 and up
- Maximum 15 attendees
Ready, Player One? Hit start and power up your Adulting skills as we venture through the realms of the adult world: careers, cash, cars, and connecting! Each week, participants will unlock new skills and build confidence as they prepare for the world ahead of them.
*Access to a computer or tablet is required for participants; a smartphone won’t be sufficient. Register by June 22.
Please note this series overlaps with Intro to Game Lab.
Snip, Dip, and Design
- Mondays and Fridays July 10, 13, 17, 20, and 24
- 1:00 – 2:15 pm
- Open to all youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 12 attendees
This workshop will be an exploration of the endless possibilities of fabric, where we’ll transform simple textiles into stunning works of art using ancient techniques and modern flair. From weaving and “painting” with scraps to harnessing the power of the sun, this series is perfect for young artists who love to get their hands messy and create something totally unique.
Across five vibrant sessions, we’ll dive into a diverse range of fabric traditions: we’ll kick off by upcycling scraps into Rag Rugs (July 10) and creating “no-sew” fabric mosaics through Kinusaiga (July 13). Then, we’ll move into the science of color by experimenting with Sun Dyeing/Cyanotype (July 17), mastering the intricate patterns of Shibori resist-dyeing (July 20), and finishing with the organic beauty of Flower Pounding (July 24), which transfers nature’s pigments directly onto cloth. For the latter meetings of this workshop, youth should wear clothes that might get stained. Register by June 25.
Please note this series overlaps with Mission to Mars.
The Self-Discovery Lab
- Tuesdays and Thursdays July 14, 16, 21, 23, and 28
- 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Open to all youth ages 12 and up
- Maximum 10 attendees
Stop wondering what you’re “supposed” to do and start discovering who you actually want to be. We’re deep-diving into your interests to see how they link to cool Maine-based opportunities, from early college to dream careers. This session is all about exploring your unique interests and seeing how they can guide you. Your pathway forward might be college, a career right here in Maine, or anything else that inspires you. Work with a UMaine Early College Counselor to start learning more about yourself and who you want to be! Register by June 30.
Ukrainian Eggs
- Sunday, August 2
- 12:00 – 3:00 pm
- Open to all youth ages 12 & up
- Maximum 10 attendees
Learn the basics of this ancient craft and immerse yourself in the magic of Ukrainian Eggs (Pysanky). This skill includes use of real eggs, beeswax, a live candle flame, and a writing tool called a delrin Kitska. The workshop will include creating one traditional egg, and discussing what options exist for creative expression within that traditional framework. People who attend will be mailed a kit and two blank eggshells to prepare for the workshop. The kit includes beeswax, a delrin kitska, and dye which will need to be prepared before the workshop. You do not need to be an experienced artist in order to learn this craft. It does require a live flame, time, and some patience. Join us this summer and spread the peace and joy of Pysanky. It will be Eggcellent!
For anyone who participated in this workshop last year, we will be using a new tool this year, and you will be sent additional designs. Register by July 24.
UMaine Virtual Touch Tank
- Tuesday, July 7
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- Open to youth of all ages
- Maximum 10 attendees
Dive into the wonders of marine life—right from your home! In this interactive virtual workshop, participants will get an up-close look at fascinating sea creatures like sea stars, hermit crabs, urchins, and more, all from a live touch tank. Guided by a marine educator, you’ll explore how these animals live, what they eat, and how they interact with their environment. With live video, fun facts, and Q&A sessions, it’s the perfect blend of science and discovery for curious minds of all ages. Register by July 5.