Waldo County 4-H Newsletter – February 2024

February 15, 2024 Waldo County 4-H Newsletter

Upcoming Dates:

2/17: Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl – Augusta

2/17: ESE 4-H Dairy Intent forms due

3/1: Waldo County 4-H CWF applications due

3/7: Total Eclipse Prep Party for 4-H Volunteers- Orono

3/9: Regional Public Speaking Contest – Augusta

3/27: Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series-registration due

Waldo County 4-H News:

CWF Applications Now Available 

Applications to attend CWF 2024 are now available! Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth, ages 14-18, from across the country. Take your 4-H experience to another level through Citizenship Washington Focus, a six-day intensive summer citizenship program for youth.  CWF delegates learn about the democratic process and their role as citizens while they experience our nation’s capital. Get the inside scoop about how government really works from prominent guest speakers and interact with Maine’s state senators and representatives and/or their staffers. Program fellows lead bill writing workshops, a national issues forum and mock elections. There are congressional sessions that prepare youth for leadership now and in the future.  

Waldo County 4-H CWF applications are available online at extension.umaine.edu/waldo/4h/forms/. Applications are due to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office by March 1st.  

For more information visit the National CWF website at 4-h.org/events/citizenship-washington-focus/ or contact the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office.

4-H Foundation Scholarships 

The Maine 4-H Foundation has scholarships available for graduating seniors! These scholarships are available to participants in the 4-H program pursuing higher education in 2024. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2024. Applications must be submitted to your county office via email and include a letter or recommendation from a non-family member.  

Applications and reference forms can be found online at extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/. If you need a reference or have any questions, please reach out to Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

Public Speaking 

Waldo County 4-H members are invited to participate in the regional public speaking contest on March 9th at 9:30. The event will be held at the University of Maine Augusta. The event will serve as a qualifying event for the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Contest.  

You can register for the event here.

For more information on the 4-H public speaking program and resources for success visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/public-speaking/.  

State 4-H News:

Solar Eclipse Coming to Maine! 

On April 8th, 2024 Maine will experience a full solar eclipse, a once in a lifetime opportunity!

What is a solar eclipse?
When the moon orbits the earth, sometimes the moon moves between the earth and sun. At the right angle, the moon blocks the sun’s light from reaching earth and causes a solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse the Moon’s shadow is cast upon earth in certain locations.

What is a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in a direct line. It is visible from only certain locations on earth during a solar eclipse when the center of the Moon’s shadow hits the earth, the sky goes dark and we can experience changes in a short amount of time (temperature, sounds, etc.).

Go to plus.nasa.gov/video/space-place-in-a-snap-what-is-a-solar-eclipse-2/ for a short animation from NASA that explains what we will see during a solar eclipse and why it happens. Curious whether you’ll be in the path of totality? This solar eclipse look up tool  located at eclipsesoundscapes.org/eclipse-lookup-tool/ allows you to see whether you will experience a total or partial solar eclipse on April 8th.

Maple Sugaring 101: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales

Not long after the New Year celebrations have ended and Maine hunkers down for several more weeks of winter, some farmers and landowners across the state turn their attention to maple sugar season. Depending on the weather, maple trees start to release their sweetness anytime between February and April and there’s a lot of work to be done to prepare for collecting the sap and boiling it down into syrup. 
 
Maple Sugaring 101 is a 6-week program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 15 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, grading and storing syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business. 
 
Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by Extension and University of Maine experts. Online meetings are scheduled for Wednesday evenings: February 7, February 14, and February 28. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses following the virtual sessions. 
 
Club leaders who would like to have their club participate in this program, please contact your 4-H County Professional or Andrew Hudacs by Monday, January 29, 2024: andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, 207.581-8204. 
 
Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register.  Travel beyond their home county may be required to attend onsite sessions. Registration ends: February 5, 2024.

Volunteer Connections- Be a Positive Communicator

Tuesday, February 13, 6:30-8:00pm (virtual via ZOOM)
This session will focus on how to use positive communication strategies to manage difficult conversations or conflict with others. Learn about constructive responses, and conciliatory gestures and how they can be used to de-escalate conflicts.

Volunteer Connections offer monthly ZOOM calls for 4-H volunteers from the entire Northeast region. Join us to connect and learn with and from other 4-H volunteers! It’s free, but you must register  Sign up today and invite a friend-we hope to see you there.

Total Eclipse Prep Party for 4-H Volunteers

On April 8, 2024, parts of Maine will experience a total solar eclipse- and this won’t happen for another 20 years! A total solar eclipse happens when the moon lies exactly between the sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on a small patch of the Earth’s surface. Does the idea of a total solar eclipse light your spark? Are you interested in learning more about it and sharing your excitement with youth? If so, we want you to join us! 

  • When: Thursday, March 7, 2024, 5:00 – 8:00 pm 
  • Where: We’ll be at the University of Maine campus in Orono, starting at the Lafayette and Rawcliffe 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center.  Address: 491 College Avenue, Orono, and then heading to the Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium Address:167 Rangeley Rd., Orono. 
  • What do I need to bring? We want you to bring a friend, a colleague, a neighbor, a parent from your 4-H club… a SUN-BUDDY! This person doesn’t have to be an enrolled 4-H volunteer, but someone that is excited about the total eclipse and would like to share their enthusiasm and help you do ONE activity with youth prior to, or on April 8th. You could plan to do an activity with your club, at your Extension office, at a library, in a classroom or maybe with a homeschool group- it’s totally up to you! 
  • What are we going to do at the Total Eclipse Prep Party? We will feed you dinner, take you to a show at the University of Maine Jordan Planetarium, do a hands-on activity with you, help you and your “sun-buddy” plan your activity and have materials, supplies and resources available for you to take. 
  • Why should you participate? This will be a fun in-person evening with other people who have a common interest, you will get to enjoy dinner on us (pizza and salad), and the opportunity to learn more about the total eclipse! You will also receive free materials to implement activities, solar eclipse viewing glasses, AND a t-shirt! 
  • Cost: The event is free, but registration is required and space is limited. 
  • Registration: Register here! Registration deadline: February 16, 2024

Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series

Explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we’ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture. Please note that the ability to get to the beach and supervision are required (at least once, between sessions). Participants must have access to a durable digital camera (a phone is fine). This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by March 27th, so supplies can be mailed to attendees’ homes. 

  • Dates: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00, April 9, 2024 through May 11th. 
  • In person field day at SMCC, South Portland (optional) scheduled in South Portland on April 13th (rain date April 14). 
  • Ages 11-18 
  • Most activities will be held via Zoom. Materials will be provided and shipped directly to participants before the workshop. In-person field day scheduled in South Portland on April 13th(rain date April 14th). Participants will be asked to visit the ocean at least once, at low tide, during this series. Facilitators: Emily P. and Sam B. 
  • Pre–registration is required by March 27, 2024. 

Come to Work at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove!

Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are now hiring for our spring and summer seasons! Positions include Educators, Counselors, Trip Leaders, and more. Please visit our website at extension.umaine.edu/tanglewood/employment/  for more information and to apply.

Young Explorers Early Childhood Enrichment

 Young Explorers at Blueberry Cove, our new early childhood enrichment program, is accepting registrations for 2024! The program focuses on play, sensory learning, and developing  social skills in an outdoor setting. Explorers spend time with our camp animals, play at the forest and beach, and read stories. Ages 3 – 5, M, W, & F from 9 am – 12 pm. More information: extension.umaine.edu/tanglewood/st-george-school-programs/young-explorers-day-program/.

4-H Volunteer Workshops for the 2023-2024 4-H Year

We invite you to participate in our 4-H Volunteer Connections virtual workshops! Join other 4-H volunteers from the North East region to learn, share and engage with one another on a variety of topics related to 4-H. All workshops are free and offered via Zoom in the evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

Topics include:
January 10 – Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive Programs
February 13 – Be a Positive Communicator
March 12 – Finding Space for Mental Wellness in Every Program
April 9 – Animal Science: Strong Relationships and Sportsmanship

Click here to register now! Come to one or come to all! We look forward to connecting with YOU!  

4-H Tick Project

The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.

All educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. This is a great project for 4-H clubs, SPIN clubs, homeschool groups, and more. For more information and to register, visit the 4-H Tick  Project webpage at extension.umaine.edu/hancock/4h/tick-project/.

ESE 4-H Dairy Intent Forms

The 2024 Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Dairy Eastern States Team this fall, 4-H members must submit their completed intent form online or to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office before February 17, 2024. Please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu or 207.342.5971 with any questions.

2024 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Contest

The Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl contest will be held on February 17th at the UMA Randall Student Center in Augusta, ME. The contest consists of a general knowledge exam, individual questions, and buzzer questions. The contest will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team that will represent Maine 4-H at ESE this fall. All 4-H dairy project members ages 9-18, regardless of whether or not they wish to try out for the quizbowl team, are invited to participate. Contestants will be divided into two age divisions, Jr.’s ages 9-11 and Sr.’s ages 12-18.  In the event of inclement weather on the 17th, the event will be rescheduled for February 24th.

For a complete set of rules for the contest, study materials, and directions to the venue please visit extension.umaine.edu/4h/dairy/. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation please contact Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.