KL 4-H Newsletter — September 2026
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
September 10 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6:00 pm, online only
September 30 4-H Project Records are due
September 30 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest entries due
September 30 Club Award Nominations due from club leaders
October 1 Start of the new 4-H Year
October 8 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6:00 pm, online only
November 12 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association (KLLA) Meeting, 6:00 pm, KL Extension office
November 15 KL 4-H Year-End Celebration, 2 – 4 pm, 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Blueberry Cove, St. George
**SPECIAL NOTE**
Cindy Rogers will be on vacation and away from the office September 19 through October 19. In her absence, contact Ryan LeShane or Pamela Doherty if you need assistance with anything related to 4-H.
September Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Patrick S., Gemma H., Isabella L., Tillie L., and Walter F.!
2026 4-H Year-End Celebration November 15
Save the date! Join your fellow 4-H members and leaders for the 2026 4-H Year-End Celebration at Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp in St. George, Maine, Sunday, November 15, 2 – 4 pm. Bring a snack to share at this beautiful location, and enjoy a celebration of the highlights and achievements from the past 4-H year! Outdoor activities are planned, so come ready for camp fun! More information to come.
Extra Effort in 4-H Project Records Will Be Rewarded
Don’t forget that 4-H Project Records are due September 30. The Basic Record is all that is required for submission, especially if you are a new member. But if you want, you can supply more detail with “Optional” record components…here’s some incentive!
To encourage members to submit more complete project records (include more of the “Optional” sections), the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association would like to remind members that extra effort beyond the basic record will be recognized with higher award amounts. In other words, the more “Optional” components that you complete well, the higher the value of your award can potentially be. Based on the judges’ evaluations, awards will range from $20 to $50 “award value” depending on quantity and quality of work presented.
Evaluated records will be returned and awards announced at the 4-H Year-End Celebration on November 15, 2026. Project Record forms and Cloverbud Activity Record forms and instructions can be found online. Contact your club leader or this office if you have questions or need help.
Enter the 2026 Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photo Contest
Keep taking photos for the Knox-Lincoln 4-H Photography Contest 2026! The top photos per age category will be exhibited in the 4-H Gallery at the Knox-Lincoln Extension office.
This contest is open to any Knox-Lincoln 4-H member age 9 and up. Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2026. Members can enter up to five photos taken between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Fill in the online 4-H Photo Contest Entry form, and upload up to five photos right in the form. Keep snapping those great pics! Contact Cindy Rogers at 207-832-0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu if you have questions. Get your photos in early! Cindy will be out of the office September 19 through October 19.
Nominations Sought for 4-H Awards
Club leader nominations for the following individual and club awards are due September 30: Team Player, Treasurer, Secretary, Community Service, Personal Growth, Leadership, Citizenship, and Katherine Watier Green Awards. The link to the nomination form for these awards will be emailed to primary club leaders.
Skip the Stress — Get Into College with 4-H Direct Admissions!
Great news for Maine 4-H high school juniors and seniors: applying to college just got a whole lot easier. With 4-H Direct Admissions, you can be automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine’s Public Universities — no Common App, no test scores, no essays, no recommendations, and no application fees required!
If you’re enrolled in any 4-H program in Maine, you’re eligible. Just click to opt in, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Opt in to 4-H Direct Admissions and learn more about 4-H Direct Admissions online.
This is your future — made simple. #BeyondReady
Save the Date: Maine 4-H Day at UMaine Football
Join Maine 4-H at the University of Maine on Saturday, October 17, as the Black Bears take on Bryant University! The game begins at 1 pm.
Come early to connect with other 4-H members and families, learn about upcoming 4-H opportunities, and enjoy time together before cheering on the UMaine football team.
Tickets will be $15 per person. You can purchase your tickets on the 4-H Football Experience page. We hope you can join us!
Power Protectors: 4-H STEM Challenge
How much energy do we use and how can we power our world with sun, wind, and other renewable energy? Step into the role of an engineer in this hands-on challenge! We will explore basic energy concepts, figure out how much energy we use and experiment with alternative energy. We will apply problem solving, creative thinking and collaboration skills to design challenges.
Who: Ages 9 – 12
When: Mondays, September 19, 26 and October 5, 4 – 5 pm
Where: Virtual – connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information will be posted under STEAM
Apply for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team
Applications are now open for the 2027 Ignite by 4-H Maine Team. All Maine youth ages 14 – 18 are eligible to apply.
Ignite by 4-H will take place March 17 – 21, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Youth applying for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) track should plan to attend March 16 – 21, 2027. 2027 Ignite by 4-H Youth Applications are due September 15, 2026.
4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series
Learn the basics of babysitting through our introductory 4-H Super Sitters Virtual Series! 4-H staff will introduce interested teens to the basics of babysitting — what questions to ask families, how to hold a baby and change a diaper, and the development stages of children. This workshop is targeted for youth ages 11–18, with a maximum of 12 youth participants. The last session, December 1, will be a hybrid model, in-person location(s) to be determined. Register by September 30, 2026.
Who: Ages 11 – 18
When: Tuesdays, October 27 – December 1, 2026, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Virtual — connect from home, we will mail key materials
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living
4-H Volunteer Storytellers
What makes someone choose to volunteer? What inspires them to keep showing up and making a difference? In this virtual 4-H SPIN club, teens will become Volunteer Storytellers, learning how to uncover and share the stories behind the people who give their time to help others. Together they will explore why volunteering matters and why recognizing volunteers is important. They’ll learn about developing thoughtful interview questions, practice interviewing skills, and conduct an interview with a real volunteer. Then use what they learn to create an engaging social media post that celebrates the volunteer and shares their story with the community.
Cost: Free
Who: Ages 14+
When: Tuesdays, October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Virtual – on Zoom
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2026
How: Visit the Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub, registration information is posted under Healthy Living
4-H Volunteer Corner
Your corner for connection, tips and tricks for Positive Youth Development
September Volunteer Self-Check – Tell us How You Did!
The past couple of months we have shared information about developmental relationships- when you show an interest, create connections and offer encouragement, you are helping to build a strong relationship with youth. Take a little time this month to reflect on your developmental relationships with 4-H youth. Small actions create lasting impact. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How did I show a young person I care?
- How did I challenge them to grow?
- How did I support their goals?
Fill out this short form to answer any of the three questions by Friday, September 25. Your name will be entered into a drawing for some cool 4-H swag! You Make a difference! Tell us how you do it!
4-H Volunteer Summit
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Registration Opens Friday, September 11, 2026
Come join us for a day of fun with your fellow 4-H volunteers and our awesome 4-H staff! YUP, we have a great line up of workshops and YES, our Discovery Zone is going to have so many 4-H programs and opportunities to learn about! From Ag Ambassadors and the Maine 4-H Foundation to a Touch Tank, Virtual Learning and more, we have something for everyone! Check out the 4-H Volunteer Summit webpage and look for the registration link! Registration Opens Friday, September 11th! We can’t wait to see you there!
Resource Spotlight
As a 4-H volunteer, protecting your own well-being is essential to prevent burnout and sustainably guide youth. Set clear boundaries on your time, share responsibilities with co-leaders or parents, take regular breaks during busy project seasons, and remember that it is okay to say no to extra tasks. For more information, take a look at this self-care resource from Mississippi State University Extension.
4-H Volunteer Opportunities Calendar
Find our 4-H volunteer training opportunities on our 4-H Volunteer Calendar — scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe to the calendar and never miss upcoming events, workshops, and more!
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.