UMaine 4-H Unconference

A group of 4-H Staff and Volunteers sitting around a tableUMaine 4-H Unconference: a volunteer forum led by 4-H volunteers & teens for 4-H volunteers & teens

UMaine 4-H Unconference will be an organized forum for 4-H volunteers, club leaders, afterschool providers, teachers, parents and teen leaders to gather. UMaine 4-H Unconference is intentionally designed to have YOU teach and learn from each other. There is no agenda; you come with 4-H ideas and topics you want to talk about or learn more about, and we’ll guide the process to get folks into groups where YOU are the experts. All experience levels are welcome and no one person has all the answers. Sample sessions might include: working with Cloverbuds, effective 4-H Leaders’ Associations, project records, animal science activities, ideas for including STEM, and many more; the group decides the topics at the beginning of UMaine 4-H Unconference. Door prizes will be given at the end of the day.

What to expect when you attend

Why are we bringing Unconference to 4-H community? Everyone who comes to UMaine 4-H Unconference is there because they want to be — to share and learn from other volunteers. Have voice and choice in the design for the day, topics that interest you as a 4-H volunteer or community partner, and have time to learn from each other about what YOU want to. It will be fun and a new way to network with others from around the state, who are just as excited about 4-H as you are!

What can you expect as a participant? Here’s an example of a similar Unconference model. Watch this video clip to get an idea of how the day will unfold.

Schedule for the Day

  • 9:30 – 10:15 — Check-in 
  • 10:15 – 11:00 — 4-H Unconference welcome and building day’s schedule
  • 11:00 – 12:00 — First breakout sessions
  • 12:00 – 1:00 — Second breakout sessions
  • 1:00 -1:45 — Lunch (provided)
  • 1:45 – 2:30 — Large Group Closing and Smackdown; Door Prizes

Dates & Locations

A maximum of 40 participants can register for each site.

  • Saturday, October 22, 2022, Hutchinson Center in Belfast (registration deadline October 13)
  • Friday, November 11, 2022, Lewiston High School (registration deadline November 3)

For more information, please contact Sarah Sparks at sarah.sparks@maine.edu or 207.581.8206.

Register Now

Cost: Free

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Jessy Brainerd at 207.581.3877 or 1.800.287.8957 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 7 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered.

The University consistently seeks to take steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of disease) in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and guidance provided by health authorities. These efforts may include policies and safeguards implemented by the University such as symptom checks, social distancing, use of facial coverings, and isolating and quarantining when required. Despite these efforts, the University cannot categorically guarantee that any person entering University campuses or facilities will not contract COVID-19 or any other communicable disease and any such person must assess and accept the risks of illness or injury for themselves.