December 2019

Cumberland County 4-H News

4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News

Important Dates

December 8: 4th H for Health Fun 5K Walk/Run, Registration 10:30, Walk/Run 11:00, Lunch 12:00, at Great Falls School, Gorham

December 8: Winterfest Awards Ceremony,1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Great Falls School Gorham, Maine. Bring a snack or dessert to share!

December 16: 4-H Maker Program, Raymond Village Library, 5:00 – 6:00 P.M.

December 31: Enrollments due for returning 4-H members

Leaders Association Meeting Minutes

In an effort to engage more volunteers in Leaders Association activities and meetings we will be adding this section to the newsletter monthly. To catch up on October’s Leaders Meeting, visit extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/newsletters/cc-la-mtg-mins/.

4-H Winterfest

  • Date: Sunday, December 8
  • Time: 1:00-3:30 p.m.
  • Location: Great Falls School, Gorham

Winterfest will once again be held at the Great Falls School in Gorham on Sunday, December 8 at 1:00 pm. We will have new activities planned by the Teen Council. County awards will be given out in the first portion of the afternoon and then there will be open gym time, games, and a potluck of snacks and desserts! Everyone is asked to please bring your favorite snack or dessert to share at Winterfest.

For more information visit the 4-H Winterfest page.

4th H for Health 5K Run / Walk

The 4th H for Health 5K Run / Walk will be a fun event for all skill levels prior to the 4-H Winterfest on December 8, 2019. If you would like to help run the event (not everyone enjoys a December run / walk!), please let Mitch know (mitchell.mason@maine.edu, 781-6099). We will need help registering participants, setting up the course, handing out numbers, and more.
Registration for the event can be found here: https://forms.gle/TNsTS6CVrmBKmcN8A

Citizenship Washington Focus Scholarship Application Deadline January 16th, 2020

The Maine delegation will be traveling to CWF June 27 – July 4, 2020. The mandatory orientation for those who will be attending will be on or near April 25th.
If you would like to apply for a CWF Scholarship through the Cumberland County 4-H Leader’s Association applications will be due to the UMaine Extension Cumberland office by 4:00 PM January 16th (or drop off at the Leaders Association Meeting that evening), and interviews will be the evening of February 3rd (please note this change from the original date). For more information about CWF and for a scholarship application please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/4h/events/citizenship-washington-focus-scholarship-info/
New for 2020 and beyond, 4-Her’s who earn any National Trip, including CWF will be required to pay $50 towards the cost of the trip to the Cumberland County Leaders Association. Any co-pays for trips such as Conference, Congress, and the Summits will be paid for by the Leaders Association minus $50.
If you would like assistance with your Portfolio or would like to participate in a mock interview, please email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099. Sara is available for video chat sessions whenever is convenient for youth, including some evenings, as well as during the workday at the Falmouth Extension Office. If you are interested in this assistance for your CWF application please make sure to schedule a time soon.

Eligibility For Enrollment Requirements for 2019-2020

Renewing members and clubs are expected to re-enroll between October 1 and December 31 each year. New members may enroll at any time. However, both new and re-enrolling members must be enrolled by December 31 to participate in events and activities such as, but not limited to, state-wide market animal auctions, Eastern States Exposition competitions, National 4-H Congress, CWF, National 4-H Conference, and to be eligible for 4-H post secondary scholarships. In order to participate in county fairs, re-enrolling members are expected to meet the December 31 deadline and new members should be enrolled by April 1. Forms were included in leaders’ start-up packets that were given out at the fair or that you received in the mail in October. Start Up packets may also be printed from the following website: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/cumberland-county-4-h/start-up/. All members must fill out three double-sided forms; enrollment form, health form, photo release/participation agreement form in order to be registered for the new 4-H year. All volunteers must fill out two single-sided forms (enrollment and photo release) and one double-sided behavior and non-discrimination form.

4-H Public Speaking Opportunities
 Public speaking is an important skill for 4-H youth to learn. There are some great opportunities for 4-H youth to develop their skills in 2019:

  • Public Speaking Workshop – A 4-H Public Speaking Workshop has not been scheduled for 2019 but if you or your club would like to have Mitch attend a club meeting, or work one on one with you please let us know!
  • Cumberland County 4-H Public Speaking/Demonstration Day, January 25th, set up at 1:30 PM, presentations start at 2:00 PM at the Inn at Village Square, Gorham. This fun, non-judged event is a great way for 4-H’ers to practice their public speaking skills in front of a welcoming audience.  For more information please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/cumberland-county-4-h/4-h-forms-and-registrations/demonstration-public-speaking/
  • Maine 4-H Statewide Public Speaking Tournament, TBD, University of Maine, Orono. In order to be eligible to represent Cumberland County at this tournament you must participate in 4-H Public Speaking/Demonstration Day and be approved to attend by Mitch or Sara. For more information please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/public-speaking/tournament/

Save the Date – Fashion Revue 2020

Fashion Revue will be held again this year in a one-day format at the Gorham Little Falls Recreation building on Saturday, February 22nd starting at 1:00 P.M.

Joann Fabric has partnered with National 4-H to create a 4-H discount card to Joann Fabric stores for 15% off your total purchase and 2.5% will go back to 4-H! To learn more visit: http://www.joann.com/4-h/

Save the Date – Mini-Forum March 21st, 2020


Mini-Forum will be held Saturday, March 21st at USM Gorham Bailey Hall. Do you have ideas for a Mini-Forum workshop? Do you know someone who would make a fun and interesting presenter? Are you a teen interested in helping to plan Mini-Forum this year? Email Sara at sara.conant@maine.edu or call 207-781-6099 with your ideas and for more information on how to help. Mini-Forum is open to any youth ages 5-18 regardless of 4-H membership, so tell your friends!

State 4-H News December 2019

Save the Date for 2020 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 16 – 19, 2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.

4-H Science Saturdays are Returning in 2020!
Thanks to the generous support of the Maine 4-H Foundation, we will be offering opportunities for middle/early high school aged youth to visit the UMaine campus for targeted science or engineering experiences!

Science Saturday programs run from 10 AM – 1:30 PM, and include time for youth to engage in hands-on activities with professors and current UMaine students, as well as time for lunch in a UMaine dining hall!

We need your input!  What topics should we offer?  Please let us know by filling out the survey here:  https://umaine.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9pN1is3NtSzne4J

4-H Statewide Teen Dance Seeks Planning Committee Members
There is a small group of 4-H members who would like to plan a statewide formal dance for teen 4-H members across the state. We are looking for teen volunteers who would like to be a part of the planning committee for this Winter event. FMI please contact Maddie Gray maddicus83@gmail.com.

Winter Becoming an Outdoor Woman Program
The 2019 Winter Becoming an Outdoor Woman program will be held on February 21 – 23, 2020at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center, 17 Conservation Lane, Bryant Pond ME 04219 in Oxford County. This fun weekend is geared towards women seeking new ways to get outdoors, meet new friends, and challenge themselves. All meals and lodging are provided and space is limited to 36 participants. FMI: https://extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/adult-programs/becoming-an-outdoors-woman/becoming-an-outdoorswoman-winter-skills-weekend/ or call 207.665.2068.

Save the Date! 4-H Animal Science Bonanza
January 11, 2020 at the Walpole Elementary School, 8 Bemis Rd, Walpole, NH. This 4-H program will have beef, sheep, goat, dairy, and horse workshops with guest speakers. For more information contact Andrea, Extension Field Specialist, 603.352.4550 or sawyer@unh.edu.

SAVE THE DATE: 4-H Page Day

4-H Page Day will be Thursday, February 6. From 8:30-12:30 youth will serve as pages in the House and Senate- ushering notes and correspondence within and between chambers. And in the afternoon, details still working themselves out, our group will meet at the Maine State Library/Museum to learn more about Maine’s history and having hands-on experience with the archives related to the Bicentennial. See the January Core News for information on registering for this day!

Club Happenings

To submit your club happenings, please email sara.conant@maine.edu by the 25th of each month!

Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News

Dine In With Us!

Tuesday, December 3rd is National Dine In Day. Our office will be “dining in” for lunch that day. To celebrate on your own, you can:

  1. Commit to “Dining In” device free during the week of December 3rd.
  2. Prepare and eat a healthy meal with others (if possible) during the week of December 3rd.
  3. Take a selfie and post it on social media using the hashtags #FSCday #healthyfamselfie.

FMI visit aafcs.org/FCSday.

UMaine Extension Cumberland County offers many different workshops throughout the year. To learn more about our workshop offerings please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/upcoming-events/